Cats at the Open Air

[ClapYo'Hands]

From Baz:

"Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical Cats will saunter into the Open Air Theatre in Regent’s Park next summer, which is quite a clever idea. I just hope, and pray, that the composer doesn’t cast it using one of those god-awful reality TV shows."

[Phantom of London]

Great stage to hold the musical, as is a 'thrust' stage.

Don't Cats hate the rain.

[CATSNYrevival]

It's a cool idea, I just hope Webber doesn't have too much input. He ruined the last UK revival by resubstituting the Italian aria with "The Ballad of Billy McCaw."

And if they record it, it better be complete this time. Is it so much to ask to have all of the dance music recorded? Really?

[Nickhutson]

Lloyd Webber - not Webber.

Great place to stage this musical - I guess the plans to stage MARTIN GUERUERERERE were cancelled.

[Princeton Returns]

Good show for the venue, and I guess they need a crowd pleaser after Ragtime however Martin Guerre would have actually got me to go to the Open Air Theatre.

Will this be a stop on the new UK tour or will there be a new UK tour and this production at the same time? Seems unusual

[ClapYo'Hands]

"Lloyd Webber - not Webber."

Actually, as he's not a hyphenate, either is correct.

[Jimbob2]

I've lost track of whether his surname is officially Lloyd Webber or not. It was 'Webber' with 'Lloyd' being a habitually used family middle name (not sure for how many generations). I think he officially made it Lloyd Webber at some point.

[Edit. Our posts re. the above crossed over Clap Yo Hands]

When I first heard the Broadway Cast Recording all those years ago I was surprised that one of my favourite moments was gone - The Ballad of Billy McCaw. Gus's flashback should surely be a nod to Victorian music hall, given the roles he's said to have played. I also like that it's a play within a play within a play. I can't imagine the team at Regents Park not using it as I'd guess that a new direction for the show might push British/English social history and class.

[Princeton Returns]

I agree, I always liked The Ballad of Billy McCaw

[MamasDoin'Fine]

""The Open Air Theatre have denied that they're planning to revive Andrew Lloyd Webber's CATS for summer 2013.

"There's no truth whatsoever to the CATS story," said a spokesperson.

There is a suggestion that the rumour might have fermented from the set currently in use, designed by Jon Bausor, for the 2012 summer season.

The Open Air Theatre's current summer musical is Ragtime, starring Rosalie Craig as Mother and Tamsin Carroll as Emma Goldman.

The spokesperson added that the Open Air Theatre plan to announce their 2013 productions soon.""

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Naughty Baz, naughty!

[Jonwo]

Cats has been done at the Muny which is also an outdoor theatre so it has been done like that before. Pity it turned out to be untrue as it would have been an interesting production to see.

[Princeton Returns]

Unlike him to be so wrong, unless of course it later turns out to be true

[MamasDoin'Fine]

He's had his hand slapped a good few times over the last 20 odd years. His 'good friend' Lloyd Webber has had a word with him on a number of occasions.

[AnythingGoes23]

It's not true!

The looked into it but the show is scheduled to go on a new UK Tour next year prior to a London return, as Mama and reports prior have suggested.

Cats actually would have a been a great idea for the Open Air.

It shocked me when I read it as I heard they were looking at Mame after the huge success of Hello Dolly they have wanted to do another Herman show but wanted to wait a few seasons.

[Princeton Returns]

But what I dont get, is why people moan about him then tell him stuff!! They are happy to use him for good press, surely people arent that naive that he will only print the good stuff

Martin Guerre or Mame would get me to go back there as never seen either

[MamasDoin'Fine]

Having met and partied with him many timesaver the years he is like an old gossip woman. He will be at a party. a launch or somewhere and be given just the slightest hint at a future production of something or other and he will then take it away and build it up as major story and present it as a world exclusive by him.
Producers at the Cannes Film Festival (and a few others) grow increasing wary of him year by year.

[Phantom of London]

Didn't we have this conversation on this board about how reliable his sources are, when he broke the news with 'Viva Forever' and 'Ghost' closing?

[AnythingGoes23]

I imagine it's Webber fueling this fire. He probably wants to at the open air and has forgot about thue and coming UK tour.

I wouldn't 100% rule this out as you never know, but its certainly no where near confirmed with the Open Air to do this show next year there... But hey, a years time, it could change..... Doubt it tho...

[songanddanceman2]

He has been wrong a good few times, and after having met him a couple times all i can say is he is arrogant, kiss ass who will go to the opening of a supermaket. I can not use words to describe how much i dislike him.......oh, i guess i just did

[MamasDoin'Fine]

I agree SADM2 but most think he's God!

[devonian.t]

I disagree- most in the business think he is a sad, sycophantic joke.

And he is positioning himself perfectly to perform ALW's next colonoscopy!

[CATSNYrevival]

Bummer. Would it be possible that maybe the tour was planning to stop there? Has Regent’s Park ever hosted a tour before? It seems silly that the set for Ragtime was what really triggered the rumor. Although, the Ragtime set did look a lot like the Cats junkyard.

[TBFL]

I would love to see the Open Air do The Hired Man next year. A hugely under appreciated show and would work great in the outdoor setting, especially as thats a big theme in the show.

[devonian.t]

That is a fantastic idea!

[bob8rich]

The Hired Man has a wonderful score (as does every Howard Goodall show) - but I find Bragg's Book very laboured. Still, even with its flaws, it's a far superior piece to CATS. However, sadly, not sure if it has the mass audience appeal to fill Regent's Park. Cats obviously does as it's a proven smash hit (God knows why though - it bored the ass off me lol).

[MamasDoin'Fine]

With you Bob!