Credit: Hanan Assor
Everyone knows “Memory”. Far fewer people can say what Cats is actually about. If that’s you, this review doubles as a spoiler-free cheat sheet, so you can walk into Sands Theatre knowing who’s who and how to enjoy the night.
Explore this page
- Our verdict
- What Cats is about
- How to enjoy it as a first-timer
- Meet the Jellicle Cats
- Is it a good date?
- Plan your visit
- FAQ
My verdict: a feast for the eyes that gets better as the night goes on
I’ll be upfront that I’m no musical buff. I’ve caught a handful of shows in Singapore over the years, but I walked into Cats knowing only that it’s a classic and that it has that one famous song, with no clue what it was actually about, and I deliberately didn’t read up on it because I didn’t want to spoil it for myself. It turns out that’s a perfectly fine way to experience it, because Cats isn’t really a story you follow so much as a night you step into, where one cat after another takes the spotlight with a song and a personality of their own.
The first half is a gentle slow burn, and I spent a good while just working out who was who and where it was all heading, so a quick read of the character guide below would have helped me loads. But once the second half kicks in, the whole show lifts: the pace picks up, the big numbers hit harder, the dancing gets even more dazzling, and everything that was quietly being set up finally comes together. And then “Memory” arrives, and I got actual goosebumps, which I never expected from a show I knew so little about. My two favourites of the night were Grizabella and Rum Tum Tugger, and you’ll find both marked in the guide below.
What really won me over, from the first scene to the last, is the sheer craft on stage. The oversized junkyard set makes you feel like you’ve shrunk to the size of a cat, the costumes and make-up are wonderfully detailed, and the cast sing and dance with so much energy and precision that it’s hard to look away. It’s a proper classic for a reason, and well worth seeing live at least once.
Credit: Nardus Engelbrecht
Best for: first-timers curious about a classic, couples who want a big night out, and anyone who loves dance and costume design.
Maybe skip if: you want fast, dialogue-heavy storytelling. Cats is almost entirely sung and works more like a series of character showcases.
What is Cats about? (spoiler-free)
Cats is based on Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, a book of poems by T. S. Eliot published in 1939, set to music by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It premiered in London in 1981 and ran there for 21 years, and “Memory” has been recorded by more than 150 artists.
The setup is simple. Over one night in a giant junkyard, a tribe of cats called the Jellicles gather for their annual Jellicle Ball. One by one they introduce themselves to Old Deuteronomy, their wise elder, who will choose one cat to ascend to the Heaviside Layer and begin a new life. That’s it. How and why he chooses is the part we won’t spoil.
Credit: Hanan Assor
How to enjoy Cats if you’ve never seen it
- Go in knowing it’s almost all singing. There’s hardly any everyday dialogue, so the fun is in getting to know each cat as they take their turn in the spotlight.
- Know the cast before you go. The guide below takes two minutes to read and makes the first half much easier to follow.
- Look around the set. You’re meant to feel the size of a cat in a human world, so oversized tyres, cans and clutter are everywhere. The details reward a second look.
- Stay for the second half. It’s the stronger half, and “Memory” is the payoff.
- Don’t be surprised when cats wander near you. The production plays with the space around the audience, so a seat nearer the stage makes it feel more immersive.
- Check the effects warning. The production uses strobe lighting, fog and haze, so give it a miss or think twice if you’re sensitive to either.
Credit: Hanan Assor
Meet the Jellicle Cats (no spoilers)
You don’t need to memorise everyone. My two favourites are Grizabella and Rum Tum Tugger, marked with a star below, but these are all the ones to look out for, with the cast listed by the production for this Singapore season. Understudies may perform on some nights.
Munkustrap, the guardian
Credit: Hanan Assor
Played by Ché-Jean Jupp. The protector of the tribe and the one who welcomes you into the junkyard. If you get lost, watch him.
Old Deuteronomy, the elder
Credit: Nardus Engelbrecht
Played by King B. The gentle, wise leader the whole night is performed for. Everyone wants his attention.
Grizabella, the glamour cat ⭐ (my favourite)
Credit: Nardus Engelbrecht
Played by Cindy-Ann Abrahams. Once glamorous, now keeping to the edges of the tribe, and the singer of “Memory”, the solo ballad everyone knows. Her vocals are the emotional anchor of the show: rich, controlled and utterly heartfelt. The song is so poignant it gave me goosebumps. Keep an eye on her throughout.
Rum Tum Tugger, the rock star ⭐ (my favourite)
Credit: Nardus Engelbrecht
Played by Dylan Janse van Rensburg. The contrary showman who wants whatever he can’t have. Dylan’s Rum Tum Tugger is all swagger, a sultry, scene-stealing rock star who owns every inch of the stage.
Mr Mistoffelees, the conjuring cat
Credit: Nardus Engelbrecht
Played by Mukeni Nel, who also appeared in the 2019 Singapore season. The young magician of the tribe, with a few tricks up his sleeve.
Macavity, the mystery cat
Played by Stephan van der Walt. The tribe’s notorious criminal mastermind, who is somehow never around when trouble starts.
Jennyanydots, the Gumbie cat
Credit: Nardus Engelbrecht
Played by Amy Berrisford. Lazy by day and surprisingly busy by night. One of the funniest numbers of the show.
Skimbleshanks, the railway cat
Played by Logan Timbre. The cat who runs the night mail train, with a crowd-pleasing number to match.
Bombalurina, Jemima, Victoria and Cassandra
Played by Tatum Coleman, Scarlett Pay, Cassiel Eatock-Winnik and Hannah Marshall. Bombalurina is the confident one in red. Jemima and Victoria are among the younger Jellicles, and Cassandra is one more face in the tribe to spot.
Credit: Hanan Assor
Credit: Hanan Assor
Credit: Hanan Assor
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, the troublemakers
Credit: Nardus Engelbrecht
A pair of petty thieves and partners in crime. They’re always up to something together.
Bustopher Jones, the dandy
Credit: Nardus Engelbrecht
The well-fed, well-dressed gentleman of the neighbourhood.
Gus, the Theatre Cat
Credit: Nardus Engelbrecht
The elderly old-timer of the tribe.
Is Cats a good date?
If you like a proper night out with something to talk about afterwards, yes. It’s a classic neither of you needs to be a theatre fan to appreciate, the spectacle makes for easy conversation during the interval, and the 145-minute runtime fits nicely around dinner. Arrive early, grab a drink before the show, and enjoy the Marina Bay Sands waterfront on your way out.
Credit: Hanan Assor
Plan your visit
Cats the Musical
Where: Sands Theatre, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018956 (nearest MRT: Bayfront)
When: Now until 22 November 2026
Showtimes: Tue to Fri 8pm | Sat 2pm and 8pm | Sun 1pm and 6.30pm
Duration: About 145 minutes, including a 20-minute interval
Price: From S$68 (before booking fee, dynamic pricing applies)
Suitable for: Recommended for ages 7 and above
Book Cats the Musical tickets on Klook or at the Marina Bay Sands official page.
More like this: Things to Do in Singapore in November 2026 | Date Ideas in Singapore
Event listing: Catch CATS the Musical at Sands Theatre
with Love,
The Dateideas Team
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know the story before watching Cats?
No, but a quick read of the characters helps, particularly in the first half. There’s very little spoken dialogue, so it’s easier to follow if you know who’s who.
How long is Cats the Musical in Singapore?
About 145 minutes, including a 20-minute interval.
How much are Cats tickets in Singapore?
From S$68 before the booking fee, with dynamic pricing depending on the seat category and performance.
Is Cats suitable for kids?
Marina Bay Sands recommends ages 7 and above, and children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Is there strobe lighting in Cats?
Yes. The production uses strobe, fog and haze effects, so viewer discretion is advised.
Can I take photos or videos during the show?
No. Cameras and recording devices are prohibited in the venue.
When can I enter the theatre, and what if I’m late?
Doors open 60 minutes before the show. Latecomers are only admitted at a suitable break in the performance.
