CATS the Musical Delivers High Kicks, Glitter & Pure Nostalgia at Theatre Royal Sydney

Spoiler: The Jellicles are still weird, still wonderful—and still totally worth the babysitter.

We headed into opening night of CATS at Theatre Royal Sydney not quite sure what to expect—other than a vague memory of leotards and that one song that makes people cry. What we got? A bedazzled, fur-covered fever dream that somehow felt like the most fun we’ve had on a date night in years.

Aimee Jones Steals the Spotlight

The biggest surprise of the night? Swing performer Aimee Jones took centre stage—and absolutely owned it. If anyone ever tells you swings are the understudies of the theatre world, direct them to her performance. Jones brought energy, elegance and feline ferocity that made us forget she wasn’t the original lead. She purred, prowled and pirouetted her way through the Jellicle Ball with the kind of precision that had us low-key Googling dance classes on the way home.

So, What Even Is CATS?

Look, it’s still delightfully confusing. There are cats. They sing. They dance. They choose one of their own to ascend to a sort of kitty heaven (aka the Heaviside Layer) to be reborn. No, it doesn’t make total sense—but it doesn’t need to. CATS is a spectacle. It’s poetry meets performance art meets cat cosplay. And honestly? We’re here for it.

A Cast of Cat-letes

From the legendary Todd McKenney as the aristocratic Bustopher Jones to Mark Vincent giving Old Deuteronomy the baritone gravitas of a Shakespearean wizard-cat, the cast is stacked with Australian stage royalty. Shout out to Leigh Archer as Jennyanydots, the Gumbie Cat with a tap routine that might just outshine your toddler’s end-of-year dance concert (don’t tell them we said that).

Vocals were tight, choreography was next-level, and the sheer stamina of this cast? Unreal. We got abs, aerial flips, and enough high kicks to make your hip flexors ache just from watching.

Highlights Worth Purring Over

• Memory – Obviously. The showstopper that had half the audience misty-eyed and the other half pretending they weren’t.
• The elaborate ensemble numbers – All the cats in sync, giving Broadway energy with Sydney flair.
• The fur-sonas – These weren’t just costumes; these were identities. Every tail flick, every whisker twitch was a choice.

Why It’s Worth Every Second of Your Night Off

Let’s face it—parents don’t get many nights out. But CATS delivers the kind of over-the-top, unapologetically dramatic night that’ll make you feel alive. It’s camp. It’s clever. And it’s a whole lot more fun than folding washing in silence with Netflix in the background.

This is:

• A throwback to the musicals you secretly loved as a teen
• A dazzling, slightly bonkers two-hour mental reset
• A solid reminder that adults are allowed to be silly and sparkly too

Booking Details

 Sydney – Theatre Royal Sydney, Now Playing
️ From $69.90 – Book here

 Adelaide – From September, Her Majesty’s Theatre
Waitlist here

 Melbourne – From 21 December, Hamer Hall
️ From $69.90 – Book here

Parenthood360 Final Take
If you’ve ever sung “Memory” into a hairbrush or attempted to do the Rum Tum Tugger wiggle, this one’s for you. With a knockout performance by Aimee Jones, epic vocals, and more theatrical tail flicks than you thought possible—CATS is a delightfully strange, glitter-drenched adventure that’s perfect for parents needing a break from the real world (and the Wiggles).

Note: Parenthood360 attended Opening Night as media guests. All reviews remain 100% honest — unless a cat bribes us with tap shoes. Then all bets are off.