TALENTED youngsters of WOW Youth Musical Theatre will leap onto the Weymouth stage next week with their production of CATS, the smash-hit Andrew Lloyd Webber musical.

There will be five performances at Weymouth Pavilion from Wednesday, November 14 to Saturday, November 17, including a Saturday matinée.

Based on T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, WOW’s production is set in an abandoned theatre which comes alive as the colourful cat characters tell their stories through song and dance.

The terms of the licence to perform CATS do not allow WOW to replicate the dance routines and costumes from the original production, so professional director/choreographer, Jeremy Tustin, has used these restrictions as an opportunity to reimagine the show. Audiences will notice the change of setting from the usual junkyard and may also spot references to other Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals.

Musical director, Heather Reed, has once again demonstrated her incomparable skill and versatility in teaching the wide range of musical styles in this sung-through musical.

WOW also has an army of parents and volunteers to make sure everything runs smoothly backstage, including the huge task of make-up for each individual cat character.

WOW president Janet Stockley said: “It has been enormous fun with Jacqui Ayles organising several workshops to practise getting the faces just right. Having so many different characters in CATS also creates opportunities for more members to sing solo lines.”

After reading in the Echo about a local charity that cares for feral and elderly cats, WOW has decided to support the charity with a bucket collection during show week.

*CATS, Weymouth Pavilion, Wednesday, November 14 to Saturday, November 17. Tickets are on sale with concessions on Wednesday night and Saturday matinee. Call the box office or visit weymouthpavilion.com