Olivier Award nominee Beverley Knight will swap Memphis for memories this autumn when she takes on the iconic role of Grizabella in the London return of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats.
Knight will lead the revival of the hit show when it returns for a limited 10 week season at the London Palladium from 23 October, following the legendary show’s triumphant West End return last year.
Speaking about her forthcoming role, the much-loved singer/songwriter and current star of Memphis The Musical said: “To be asked to join the company of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s historic show was so exciting and totally unexpected as, vocally, I am so different to the many incredible women who have sung the classic Memory over the years.
“To follow in their footsteps is something to truly relish! I am really looking forward to transforming into Grizabella with her fabulous costume and amazing make up and to be playing the role at the London Palladium. Working with Andrew will be a real privilege.”
Cats made its world premiere in 1981 and went on to run for a record-breaking 21 years at the New London Theatre. Based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book Of Practical Cats, it tells the famously surreal story of the Jellicle Ball; the one night of the year where all the Jellicle cats gather to see who will be chosen by their wise leader Old Deuteronomy to enter The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.
Award-winning musician Knight has been making waves in the West End since her 2013 stage debut in The Bodyguard. Her third starring role will see her follow in the footsteps of Elaine Paige, Nicole Scherzinger and Kerry Ellis to perform as Grizabella and sing one of musical theatre’s most famous songs, Memory.
Cats is directed by Trevor Nunn and features choreography by Gillian Lynne. Full casting for October’s production is still to be confirmed.