CATS opens at Artscape in Cape Town on 10 December 2025; this legendary production is set to dazzle audiences through the festive season and into early 2026 as it transfers to Montecasino’s Teatro in Johannesburg in January.
Adapted from TS Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats (1939), this “groundbreaking musical” (Daily Express) comes together in a sparkling fusion of music, dance and verse. Since its debut, Cats has been presented in more than 54 countries, translated into 23 languages, and seen by more than 77 million people worldwide. Its enduring appeal lies in a combination of musical brilliance, lyrical poetry, and stunning visual theatre.
Ché-jean Jupp, who plays Munkustrap—the second in command within the tribe—drew back the curtain for some behind the scenes titbits. Jupp has a solid background in musical theatre, and is attracted by the joy that audiences are able to share with the performers. “This is what makes theatre so special,” he says.
“The show isn’t being blocked by a screen, the audiences get authentic and raw performances every single night that are never the same.”
Of Munkustrap, Jupp explains he’s the one the other cats look to as a protector and seek comfort in him if anything goes awry.
“His most important lesson is for him to learn forgiveness,” says Jupp, whose highlight in the rehearsals so far was when Munkustrap builds up the courage to take on Macavity, played by Stephan Van Der Walt, who is the main antagonist of the show.
“This act from Munkustrap encourages the entire tribe to stand up against Macavity which united us as a collective,” he says.
During this rehearsal process, the cast must transform from humans into cats. “The cat physically requires a lot of muscularity,” says Jupp. “They are beings that are sure-footed, proud, agile and nimble, and this has to relay in a human’s body.
“We aren’t pretending to be cats, we are becoming them.”
Being “most definitely” a cat person himself has surely helped Jupp, who has an adopted Jellicle cat named Pumpkin.
According to Wikipedia, Jellicle cats are a fictional type of feline from Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats that were adapted for the 1981 stage musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber, where the wide array of diverse Jellicles is central to the musical’s worldbuilding. The Jellicles in Cats possess many kinds of coat-patterns, diverse personalities, and individual talents.
CATS opens at Artscape in Cape Town on 10 December 2025 and at The Teatro at Montecasino in Johannesburg on 17 January 2026. Book via Webtickets or through the Artscape Box Office at 021 4217695. Advance booking is strongly advised as performances are expected to sell out quickly.
For further details, ticketing information, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content, click here, and watch the Cats teaser here.
