Whether you're a local or a visitor, spend a day sightseeing around Melbourne at some of the best tourist attractions in the city and surrounds.
Play Guides
Guide to seeing CATS the musical in Melbourne
Andrew Lloyd Webber's groundbreaking musical CATS returns to Melbourne in December 2025 to celebrate its 40th anniversary in Australia.
When CATS first premiered to London audiences in 1981, no one could have predicted how the success of the musical or its impact on the art form.
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of its Australian premiere, CATS the Musical is coming to Melbourne for a limited six-week season this summer. RACV Members enjoy exclusive first access to newly released seats and 25% off select performances. Enter your RACV Member number to redeem.
It's one of the many reasons that Melbourne is considered the arts and cultural capital of Australia, with top tourist attractions, hit musicals, and festivals, as well as loads of free things to do.
The Andrew Lloyd-Webber musical is based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, a collection of whimsical poems that makes for a seemingly unusual musical premise. However, the acclaim that CATS has garnered is undeniable – the production ran for 21 years in London’s West End and for 18 years on Broadway, picking several awards (including Olivier and Tony awards for best musical) along the way.
Here’s everything you need to know for the Melbourne 2025-2026 season of CATS.
Check out our other theatre and musical guides for other shows playing in Melbourne.
Everything you need to know to see CATS the Musical in Melbourne
What is CATS about?
CATS is a sung-through musical that tells the story of the Jellicle cat tribe. Each year the tribe gathers, and a decision is made by the oldest and wisest among them (Old Deuteronomy) about which of the cats will ascend to the Heaviside Layer, granting the chosen cat a new life.
Throughout the play, various cats from the Jellicle tribe introduce themselves and share their tales, culminating in a heartbreaking song and story from Grizabella, the Glamour Cat.
The musical is known for being fun, playful and a little bit surreal, with all roles played by actors in full cat costumes and makeup. Expect the fourth wall to be broken and for Cats to prowl through the auditorium.
CATS is celebrating 40 years since its Australian premiere, with shows across Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane. Photo: Daniel Boud
Who stars in the Melbourne production of CATS?
The storied role of Grizabella first performed by the inimitable Elaine Paige by will be played by Gabriyel Thomas (Hairspray, Sister Act the Musical), a Melbourne and New York-based actor who credits CATS with introducing her to musical theatre as a child.
Thomas will be joined by Des Flanagan (Moulin Rouge! The Musical) as Rum Tum Tugger and stage and screen veteran Todd McKenney (The Boy from Oz, Hairspray, Wicked, The Odd Couple) who’s taking on the dual roles of Bustopher Jones and Asparagus.
Old Deuteronomy will be played by Australian tenor and performer Mark Vincent (My Fair Lady, Dirty Dancing) while the role of Jellylorum is filled by Lucy Maunder (Mary Poppins, Chicago).
The rest of the CATS Melbourne cast is as follows:
- Munkustrap – Jarrod Draper
- Jennyanydots – Leigh Archer
- Bombalurina – Mia Dabkowski-Chandler
- Demeter – Olivia Carniato
- Quaxo / Mr Mistoffelees – Tim Haskayne
- Skimbleshanks – Tom Davis
- Rumpleteazer – Savannah Lind
- Mungojerrie – Jake O’Brien
- Victoria/ White Cat – Claudia Hastings
- Jemima – Ella Fitzpatrick
- Cassandra – Chaska Halliday
- Tantomile – Sarah Bourke
- Coricopat – Joshua Gordon
- Carbuckety – Guy Pik
- Admetus/ Macavity – Edward Smith
- Alonzo – Rania Potaka-Osborne
- Bill Bailey – Charlie Follows
- Swings/ Dance captains – Dominique Hamilton, Xander Pellin
- Swings – Aimee Jones, Thalia Smith, Tod Strike, Joe Miller
Gabriyel Thomas stars as Grizabella the Glamour Cat, arguably one of the most coveted and iconic roles in musical theatre. Photo: Daniel Boud
Is CATS suitable for children?
Audiences of all ages can enjoy CATS; however, it is best enjoyed by those aged five and up. It's one of the many things to do in Melbourne with kids. The production features special effects such as flashing and strobe lights, pyrotechnics, theatrical smoke and haze which may frighten younger viewers.
More: Summer school holiday activity guide in Melbourne and Victoria
How long does CATS go for?
CATS runs for two hours and 20 minutes, including a 20-minute interval.
How long is CATS showing for?
CATS is showing for six weeks only in Melbourne, from Sunday, 21 December 2025 until Saturday, 31 January 2026.
Based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, CATS is known for being playful, surreal and a whole lot of fun. Photo: Daniel Boud
Where is CATS showing?
CATS is showing at Hamer Hall, one of the theatres located within the Arts Centre Melbourne precinct.
How can I buy tickets to CATS?
Arts Centre Melbourne, in partnership with Ticketek, is the authorised ticket seller for CATS. Evening and matinee performances are available.
Are discounted tickets available for CATS ?
RACV Members receive first access to new seats plus a 25 per cent discount on A and B reserve tickets for selected performances.^ Sale on from 10am November 7, 2025, until January 31, 2026 (unless sold out prior).
Is CATS showing in any other Australian cities?
Yes, the 40th anniversary tour of CATS is also showing in Perth and Brisbane for strictly limited seasons. The production will launch in Perth before heading to Melbourne, then finishing in Brisbane. Dates as follows:
Perth: 8 November 8 to 6 December, Crown Theatre Perth.
Brisbane: 6 to 22 February, Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
Read more: The ultimate Melbourne to Brisbane road trip guide.
The Melbourne season of CATS is showing at Arts Centre Melbourne, which is easy to get to by train or tram. Photo: Daniel Boud
Restaurants and bars near Arts Centre Melbourne
There are plenty of bars and restaurants close to Arts Centre Melbourne. Teatro offers Italian and Mediterranean dishes right next door to Hamer Hall, while neighbouring Saké provides diners with a taste of Japan (and even offers a 30-minute pre-theatre menu).
Read more: The ultimate traveller's guide to Japan - everything you should see, do and eat.
Hamer Hall also has foyer bars located outside the theatre doors for any last-minute drinks before curtain call – you can even pre-order refreshments for the interval.
How to get to Arts Centre Melbourne
Arts Centre Melbourne is easily accessed by public transport. Use the Arevo app to plan your journey.
Train: Arts Centre Melbourne is a five-minute walk from Flinders Street Station.
Tram: Routes 1, 3, 5, 6, 16, 64, 67 and 72 trams all stop right outside Arts Centre Melbourne. Alight at stop #14 (Arts Precinct/St Kilda Rd).
Arts Centre Melbourne also has a 24/7 underground carpark. Access via Southbank Blvd or Kavanagh St. If you're travelling via Melbourne's new Metro Tunnel, the nearest station is Town Hall Station. It connects to Flinders Street via an underground link and there are nearby trams to the Arts Centre.
^All tickets are subject to availability. A handing fee applies per transaction. This offer is not available on previously purchased tickets and is only valid when purchased on the specified link. Available for all evening performances on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Discount valid for A & B Reserve seating (PL3 & PL4). Newly released seats may not be located in A & B Reserve areas, but there will be inventory available at the discount price for the select performance dates. Offer available until Saturday, 31 January 2026 or unless allocation sold out prior. Standard Ticketek ticket terms and conditions apply. For full Ticketek ticket terms and conditions visit https://premier.ticketek.com.au/Content/buyers/termsofsale.aspx
