Casting for Grizabella in CATS’ UK and Ireland tour has been revealed for the UK and Ireland tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic musical, with three acclaimed West End performers — Louise Dearman, Alice Fearn and Rachael Wooding — sharing the role across the tour’s dates.
Louise Dearman, Alice Fearn and Rachael Wooding have been cast as Grizabella in CATS‘ UK and Ireland tour, which will open at Theatre Royal Plymouth on 6 October 2026.
Following its record-breaking summer season at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, this tour of CATS is directed and choreographed by Regent’s Park Artistic Director Drew McOnie (Brigadoon, Jesus Christ Superstar).
The show is based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the show follows the Jellicles as they gather under the Jellicle moon to decide who will be reborn, featuring Lloyd Webber’s score of Memory, Macavity: The Mystery Cat and Jellicle Ball.
View live availability for CATS‘ UK and Ireland tour here
CATS principal cast
The actresses playing Grizabella – a formerly glamorous cat who is now old, worn out and shunned by the other cats- will be Louise Dearman (Wicked, Evita), Alice Fearn (Come From Away, Wicked) and Rachael Wooding (CATS at Regent’s Park, We Will Rock You, Starlight Express).
They join a previously announced company including Kalisha Amaris as Old Deuteronomy, Jack Wilcox as Munkustrap, Jaydon Vijn as Rum Tum Tugger, Jet Yau as Mr. Mistoffelees and Diante Lodge as Macavity.
What is CATS about?
Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, this magical musical is in the annals of West End and Broadway history, having been seen by millions of people around the world.
CATS follows the strays and rebels of London as they gather under the Jellicle moon for their annual ball. Their wise leader, Old Deuteronomy, is preparing to make the Jellicle choice and announce who will be the chosen one to go up to the Heaviside Layer and be reborn.
Since its 1981 premiere, CATS has run for over 9,000 West End performances, won Olivier and Tony Awards for Best Musical, and been seen by more than 77 million people across 54 countries.
This tour marks the third Andrew Lloyd Webber title Regent’s Park has produced in a decade. It follows Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita and continues Michael Harrison’s run of major Lloyd Webber revivals, alongside Starlight Express and Sunset Boulevard.
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