Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous musical “Cats” is about to embark, for the first time, on a six-month Italian tour, with the poems from T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” translated into Italian. One of the most successful musicals of all time, “Cats” ran for 21 years and a total 8,949 performances in the London West End, as well as a record-breaking 7,485 performances on the Broadway stage.

The 25 Jellicle Cats in the Italian version belong to the well-known Compagnia della Rancia, Italy’s leading musical company with a 25-year history of hits under its belt, including the Italian versions of “Grease” and “Dance!” and the highly acclaimed “Pinocchio”.

The Italian public will be treated to a fresh, new production of  “Cats”, created by Compagnia della Rancia founder and director Saverio Marconi and American choreographer Daniel Ezralow, with costumes designed by Francesco Martini Coveri of the Maison Coveri and sets by stage-designer Gabriele Moreschi. Saverio Marconi’s co-founder of the Compagnia della Rancia, Michele Renzullo had the difficult task of translating Eliot’s ironical feline portraits into Italian, while Franco Travaglio took care of the lyrics.

“Cats” will be touring Italy from the 10 th October 2009, debuting at Fermi in the Marche Region. It will run at Rome’s Sistina Theatre between the 28 th October and the 22 nd November 2009. The tour includes the principal Italian cities of Naples, Milan, Genoa, Turin, Florence and many others, for a total of 19 different venues, ending at Reggio Emilia in April 2010.

For information: www.cats.musical.it