AHEAD of its return to the West End, one of the world’s longest running musicals Cats visits Wales Millennium Centre this month with Welsh actor Clare Rickard playing a leading role.

Performing for the first time at Wales Millennium Centre, Clare Rickard returns to Wales in the current UK tour of Cats, playing the part of Jellylorum. Clare Rickard spent her youth performing in her hometown of Penarth, going on to perform in New Theatre pantomimes alongside Jonathan Morris, Roy Hudd and Marti Caine. She won the Anthony Hopkins drama award and performed as Madame Thernadier alongside Peter Karrie in the first ever schools production of Les Miserables. Before leaving Wales to train in London she became an associate with Diversions Dance Company of Wales. She gained a scholarship to train at Doreen Bird College and graduated in 2005 with a BA(Hons) in Dance and Theatre

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.

Based on T S Eliot’s ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record- breaking adaptation Cats is directed by Trevor Nunn, with choreography by Gillian Lynne and set and costume design by John Napier. Re-creating the direction and choreography for the tour is Chrissie Cartwright. Including one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most memorable musical scores, spectacular set design, extraordinary costumes and stunning choreography, Cats is a uniquely magical musical.

The 2013 tour of the Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Theatre production of Cats is presented by David Ian.

Cats is at Wales Millennium Centre from July 28–August 9. Tickets range from £19.50 £56.50. Age Guidance: five+ (no under twos). For more information visit www.wmc.org.uk or call the ticket office on 02920 636464.