CATS, original West End direction and choreography re-created by Jo-Anne Robinson, musical direction by Louis Zurnamer, presented by Pieter Toerien by arrangement with the Really Useful Company (Artscape Opera House, Cape Town, until January 10).

IN 2001, Pieter Toerien brought Andrew Lloyd Webber's international blockbuster musicalisation of TS Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats to South African stages for the first time.

Now this unique song and dance musical is back to entertain festive season audiences in Cape Town.

Even for folk who have already experienced the show, this is a fresh look at the world of furry felines that, while retaining the intrinsic entertainment values, has been updated, particularly in the technological areas.

The rubbish dump set now runs right down to the front row and the phenomenal lighting and effects – always a feature – are augmented with lighting rig, for example, running all over the venue, while the climactic ascent to the Heaviside Layer by Grizabella, the Glamour Cat, has been totally re-staged.

A few of the original cast return – some in the same roles and others moving to more important participation – but there is little to choose between this line-up and their predecessors.

But what made this musical a must-see for Port Elizabethans the first time around in 2001 remains a solid reason to see it again: the number of talented Bay performers who are cast members.

For example, Angela Kilian, who last played the operatic Griddlebone, now stars as Grizabella, the Glamour Cat, and her haunting rendition of the show's massive hit, Memory, calls forth both goose flesh and storming applause from the audience.

Last time, Chireen Ferreira teamed with Gareth Hewitt Williams in the terrifically choreographed knockabout Mungojerry and Rumpleteaser duet. Now her partner is another Bay export in Grant Almirall – sadly, I did not see Chireen as she was ill, but her role was outstandingly danced by her understudy, Anitra Davel, the company's resident choreographer.

Two familiar faces among the Jellicle Cats belong to Taryn Sudding, again portraying Bombalurina, and Adam du Plessis as Admetus.

Away from the local content, performances worth noting come from Jonathan Roxmouth, as the controlling Munkustrap, Jaco van Rensburg as a brilliant Mr Mistofolees, the wonderful bass of Marcus Desando, back as Old Deuteronomy, and Anne-Marie Clulow and Robert Finlayson in the Gus the Theatre Cat and Growltiger sequences, the latter with its brilliantly sung operatic duet.

Cats remains a musical for all ages, but the way the entire theatre is used this time, watch out, you could find a feline perched on the back of your seat!