Producer John Frost for Crossroads Live today announced the first three cast members for the 40th Anniversary Australian tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking musical CATS. CATS will play at its original Australian home, Theatre Royal Sydney from 17 June, then head to Her Majesty’s Theatre, Adelaide from September and to Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne from December.
Audience favourite Todd McKenney will play the dual roles of Bustopher Jones and Gus the Theatre Cat. Most recently seen as The Wizard in Wicked and as Felix Unger opposite Shane Jacobson in The Odd Couple, Todd played Tumblebrutus in the original Melbourne season of CATS from 1987 to 1988, very early in his stage career, and is thrilled to revisit the show nearly four decades later.
Classical performer Mark Vincent returns to the musical theatre world as Old Deuteronomy, the wise and beloved patriarch of the Jellicle tribe. One of Australia’s most celebrated classical crossover artists, Mark’s career spans ten albums, multiple international tours, and performances at some of the world’s most prestigious venues. This will be Mark’s third musical following his roles as Billy Kostecki in the Australian tour of Dirty Dancing and Freddy Eynsford-Hill in the Dame Julie Andrews-directed production of My Fair Lady.
Also returning to CATS after many years will be Leigh Archer, who will play the kind, motherly character Jennyanydots, also known among the tribe as the “Gumbie Cat”. Leigh played Demeter in the 1992/93 Australian and Asian tour of CATS, and has since performed in Strictly Ballroom, West Side Story and Moonshadow.
“I am very excited to bring the original production of CATS back to Australia, and to cast the ultimate showman Todd McKenney as Gus the Theatre Cat, Mark Vincent with his breathtaking voice as Old Deuteronomy, and welcome Leigh Archer back to one of her earliest shows,” said John Frost. “CATS was revolutionary when it first opened and to entice some of its past Australian cast members back for the 40th Anniversary is a huge thrill. Australia has an enduring love for CATS and it’s time to let the memory live again.”
Based on T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats and set to music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, CATS has been captivating audiences around the globe since it opened at the New London Theatre (now known as the Gillian Lynne) in 1981, where it played for 21 record-breaking years and almost 9,000 performances, winning both the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical. Since then, CATS has been presented in over 50 countries, translated into 23 languages and has been seen by over 81 million people world-wide. On Broadway, CATS played for 18 years and won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical.
The musical tells the story of the Jellicle cat tribe. On just one special night of the year, all Jellicle cats meet at the Jellicle Ball where Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, makes the Jellicle choice and announces which of them will go up to “The Heaviside Layer” and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.
The timeless musical score includes the hit song Memory, which has been recorded by more than 150 artists including Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Nicole Scherzinger, Johnny Mathis, Liberace and Barry Manilow. With “timeless music, spectacular sets and a superb cast” (Daily Mirror), breathtaking choreography and of course the unforgettable Memory, CATS is a magical musical like no other.
Get your tickets now at catsthemusical.com.au and let the memory live again.
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ADELAIDE SEASON
Venue: Her Majesty’s Theatre
Season: From September
WAITLIST NOW AT catsthemusical.com.au – tickets on pre-sale 28 April
SYDNEY SEASON
Venue: Theatre Royal Sydney
Season: From 17 June
Performance Times: Tues-Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 7.30pm, Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm & 6pm
Prices: From $69.90 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: catsthemusical.com.au or 1300 163 808
Groups 8+ contact theatreroyalsydney.com/contact-us or 1300 163808
MELBOURNE SEASON
Venue: Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne
Season: From 21 December
Performance Times: Tues-Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 7.30pm, Wed 1pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm & 6pm
Prices: From $69.90 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings catsthemusical.com.au or call 1300 182 183
Groups 8+ call 1300 182 183
Melbourne – Jessica Bendell at jessica@jessicabendellpublicity.com.au or 0412 369 015
BIOGRAPHIES:
TODD McKENNEY
One of Australia’s most versatile performing artists, Todd McKenney is an award winning and critically acclaimed performer on stage and screen. As an actor and the leading man of song and dance in musical theatre productions, he has entertained Australians for over 30 years from the main stage to intimate venues.
Todd has led the cast on some of the 7 Network’s major productions including The Full Monty, The Real Full Monty, Mates on a Mission, Ladies Night and The All New Monty which aired in 2020, a one night show that was dedicated to men and women’s health awareness. Todd also appeared as a host/ choreographer in The Real Dirty Dancing, which saw eight celebrities revisit the most memorable dancing moments from the original movie. Todd was also a judge in 20 seasons of Dancing With The Stars on Channel 7.
It’s not surprising that Todd McKenney is a household name. Todd’s stage credit roll and career highlights include his most notable role of Peter Allen in the Australian hit production The Boy From Oz, in which he performed over 1000 shows nationally and became one of the longest running and most successful musical productions in Australian history.
Todd’s first professional musical role was in 1983 in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Song and Dance. His career followed with lead and headline roles in Cats, 42nd Street, West Side Story, Crazy For You, Born Yesterday, Camelot, Pirates of Penzance, Cabaret, Strictly Ballroom, La Cage aux Folles, Singin’ In the Rain, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Orpheus In the Underworld for Opera Australia, Annie, Grease and Anything Goes. In 2018 he stepped into the stilettos and successfully took on the role of Frank N’ Furter in The Rocky Horror Show in Melbourne. In 2019 Todd stepped out on stage as Australia’s Greatest Showman in the title role of Barnum, and went onto play Lord Farquaad in the hit musical Shrek. In 2020, Todd played Lewis in the award winning feature film Unsound.
Todd starred as Wilbur Turnblad in Hairspray the Musical, as well as Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella in Sydney. In 2023/2024 Todd starred in the Australian production of Wicked as The Wizard of Oz. Todd also reunited with Shane Jacobson, performing in The Odd Couple last year.
On the small screen Todd starred in the acclaimed ABC series Significant Others, an engrossing six-part series about a missing persons case. Todd starred in Ladies in Black on the ABC in 2024. He has featured in the hit show Winners and Losers, appeared as a guest judge on Australia’s Got Talent and hosted on a range of morning television programs.
2020 saw Todd launch Todd+Creates, an online marketplace exclusively for independent, Australian creatives and small businesses who produce and ship their products in Australia. Todd+Creates has partnered with Everyday Market from Woolworths to be an approved seller of products sourced from Australian-owned independent small-to-medium sized businesses, to reach millions of Woolworths shoppers.
MARK VINCENT
With a voice that has captivated audiences around the world, Mark Vincent has established himself as one of Australia’s most celebrated classical crossover artists. His career spans ten albums, eight of which have topped the ARIA Classical Crossover charts, multiple national and international tours, and performances at some of the world’s most prestigious venues.
In 2023, Mark reached a new milestone when he was personally invited to Andrea Bocelli’s home for lunch. Not only did he gain the legendary tenor’s friendship and endorsement, but he was also entrusted with a song originally composed for Bocelli. That track, Sei Ami La Vita, produced by Bocelli’s longtime collaborator Pierpaolo Guerrini, debuted at No 1 on the Apple Music Classical Charts and became a highlight of Mark’s first independent album, Life Is Beautiful, which also topped the ARIA Classical Crossover chart.
This achievement follows a career filled with extraordinary moments. In 2017, Mark fulfilled a lifelong dream with A Tribute to Mario Lanza, an album that featured a groundbreaking virtual duet ofBecause You’re Mine with the Hollywood legend himself. The duet received international attention and the blessing of Mario Lanza’s daughter, Ellisa Lanza Bregman. That same year, he headlined a national Australian tour before joining world-renowned soprano Katherine Jenkins on her sold-out UK tour, performing at venues such as London’s Royal Albert Hall and the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow. His international presence grew further with performances in Ireland alongside Irish tenor Tommy Fleming, and in 2019, he was invited to Belfast to appear at BBC Proms in the Park as a special guest of Susan Boyle.
A regular performer at Carols in the Domain, Mark has shared his voice with audiences of up to 80,000 people and millions more watching at home. His love for the stage extends beyond music, with critically acclaimed performances in theatre, including roles in Dirty Dancing and My Fair Lady, the latter earning him the personal endorsement of Dame Julie Andrews, who cast him as Freddy Einsfield Hill in the Australian national production.
Mark’s journey began at a young age, nurtured by his Italian heritage and inspired by the great tenors, Mario Lanza, Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli. His breakthrough moment came in 2009 when, at just 15 years old, he stunned the nation with his performance of Nessun Dorma on Australia’s Got Talent, ultimately winning the competition and securing a recording contract with Sony Music. What followed was a decade of record-breaking success, with multiple albums charting across national and international platforms.
From his early days as a young prodigy to becoming one of the most respected voices in classical crossover music, Mark Vincent’s career is a testament to his passion, dedication, and extraordinary talent. With more music, performances, and dreams on the horizon, his journey is far from over.
LEIGH ARCHER
With a career spanning four decades, Leigh’s credits are as diverse as they are extensive. An accomplished singer, dancer and actress, her stage roles include Marty in Grease – The Arena Spectacular, Demeter in Cats (Australia and Asia) and Consuelo in West Side Story. She also appeared in the Australian tour of The Wizard of Oz as an ensemble member and understudy for Glinda/Aunt Em, played Mrs Zebulan in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Australian tour), and earned critical acclaim as Dana and Marilyn Monroe in Get Happy at Sydney’s Star City.
Leigh was part of the world premiere of Moonshadow, the Cat Stevens musical, performing in the ensemble and understudying the roles of Zena and Layla. In Baz Luhrmann’s World Premiere production of Strictly Ballroom The Musical, she showcased her versatility by understudying four principal roles, ranging from a young girl to a Spanish grandmother. In 2022, she played the role of Professional Woman in the Australian regional tour of Menopause The Musical. Most recently, Leigh captivated a sold-out audience with her one-woman show, Not Just A Showgirl, at Claire’s Kitchen.
Beyond the stage, Leigh has been the face and voice of numerous commercials and has appeared on television programs such as The Midday Show, GMA, Three Men & A Baby Grand, Hits and Memories and Carols in the Domain. She was also featured in the TV movie remake of The Three Stooges.
Renowned for her natural humour and engaging presence, Leigh has been a staple in the cabaret scene, performing extensively at corporate functions, in clubs and on cruise ships with her one-woman show. Now, after a 30-year “catnap,” Leigh is absolutely thrilled to be returning to the Jellicle Ball and stepping back into the world of Cats!
