MUSICAL theatre has never been so popular with fans travelling far and wide to see their favourite shows, writes John Anson.

One such massive box office success is Cats, which is purring away happily at Manchester Opera House, until Saturday, February 13.

For legendary choreographer Gillian Lynne, the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical has been an on-going labour of love that has lasted over 35 years.

Along with the eminent composer's music, it's her spectacular choreography which has led to the show becoming arguably the most famous musical of them all selling out theatres all over the world.

And as the show opened in Manchester transferring from a run at the London Palladium, Gillian had some exciting news for theatregoers.

“I think that this is one of the best casts ever,” she said. “Around half them have been at the Palladium and around half are new for Manchester and they have blended so well.”

If anyone should know about Cats, it’s Gillian.

“Andrew approached me at the start of the eighties about some music he had written and he needed a choreographer to work with,” she said. “We certainly had no idea that the result would be a show that’s still as popular with audiences today as it was when it launched in 1981.”

Based on TS Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, Cats was a revolutionary musical.

“People at the time told us we were mad to try and put it on stage,” added Gillian. “And there has never been another show like it to this day.

“It is totally danced from start to finish and I was acutely aware that the choreography had to tell the story and I worked around the words so that the two were wedded together.”

Cats soon became a phenomenon running in London’s West End for more than 21 years and on Broadway for 18 years. It has also toured around the world and has been translated in 20 languages.

During its life, the show has been revised on numerous occasions with new songs and additional choreography courtesy of Gillian.

“With many hit shows people see them on their way and then move on but Cats is so close to my heart I will always be closely involved in it.

“It just has a lot of stuff which other shows don’t have. There is a sensitivity and sensuality in the show which you don’t see.

“In rehearsals I tell the dancers you have to look and touch and stroke each other. It’s our task to get the audience to love the show and get so caught up in the feeling that when they get home they are ready to tear each other’s clothes off - it’s a very sexy show and yet so pure.

“The show means so much to me, I’m still so very proud of it.”

For further information telephone 0844-871-3018.