International Cat Day: We look at why everyone hates ‘Cats’ the musical | The controversy explained
Why has Cats become a punchline? From record-breaking success to CGI missteps and political ties, the musical’s legacy is more complex than ever.
Though Cats is considered a classic musical, it’s become the punchline of many jokes over the past five years. Let’s dig into why—especially when, for decades, the show has delighted audiences of all ages.
Cats premiered on May 11, 1981, at the New London Theatre, now known as the Gillian Lynne Theatre. It was composed by the legendary Andrew Lloyd Webber, also known for Jesus Christ Superstar, The Phantom of the Opera, and Sunset Boulevard—Webber based Cats on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. The show made its way to Broadway a year after its West End debut. In both cities, Cats shattered records, running for 21 consecutive years in the UK capital and for 18 years in the Big Apple.
So, how is it that after so much success, Cats has become a punchline online?
Much of the ridicule can be traced back to the 2019 film adaptation, directed by Tom Hooper. The movie used advanced digital fur technology to superimpose fur onto actors after filming—a choice that critics and audiences widely rejected. As Cat Bandit explained, the CGI gave the film an “uncanny valley” feel, making the feline-human hybrids unsettling and emotionally distant. One infamous error in an early version left Dame Judi Dench with a visible human hand—and wedding ring—instead of a paw.
Interestingly, this critique wasn’t limited to the film. Even the stage production drew comments about the bizarre nature of the costumes, with some critics noting that the realism of the designs could be distracting or eerie, as detailed by Cat Bandit.
Cat’s connection to Donald Trump...
Though musical theater often brings people together across divides, the song “Memory” from Cats has taken on a more polarized role in recent years. It’s been played at Trump rallies and, according to former White House Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham, was used to calm the former president during moments of anger. Trump has expressed admiration for Cats, even citing it as an example of the kind of “non-woke” musicals he wants to promote at the Kennedy Center.
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