“Cats” are Back!

Cats, a hit Broadway musical that had caught the eyes and ears of the world for years, is all set to stage a comeback before Korean audiences.

The record long-run hit will be on stage again in Korea early next year. `Cats` will meet Korean audiences in the Hall of Art in Yangjae-dong, Seoul from Jan. 29 through Mar. 2.

The musical ended its Broadway era in 2000 after setting a new longest running record of 7,484 performances in 18 years. The curtain was also drawn in Westend, London last year after 8,950 performances for 21 years.

The Cats team was reorganized for a world tour after the end of the Broadway reign. Stage props and costumes will be brought directly from Broadway.

Trevor Nun, a director of the former Broadway team, is apparently missing, but Australian Tim Mcpalein will take charge this time. He is leading Australian branch of RUC, an entertainment business founded by master of musical Andrew Lloyd Webber who produced such masterpieces as `Cats` and `Phantom of Opera.`

The musical, based on the text of TS Elliot`s `Old Possum`s Book of Practical Cats`, depicts the joys and sorrows of human life through the world of personified cats.

Since its first debut in London in 1981, the show had been introduced in about 300 cities across the world. The title song `Memories` was recorded by about 250 singers such as renowned tenor Pavarotti and pop singers as Barbara Streisend and Barry Manilow, and is still loved by people from all around the world.

Sue-Jean Kang sjkang@donga.com