News - Cats

Francesca Hayward, Principal dancer of The Royal Ballet, has joined the cast of Universal Pictures and Working Title’s film adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats...

Directed by Academy Award® winner Tom Hooper, according to IMDb she'll be playing the role of Victoria, a "teenage cat" stretching and growing into adulthood, and will join the theatrical heavyweights of Idris Elba, Ian McKellen, Judi Dench and... Taylor Swift.

Director of The Royal Ballet Kevin O’Hare said ‘I’m delighted that Francesca has been asked to take the leading role in Cats which promises to be a once in a lifetime opportunity, and one which showcases her fantastic talent to a whole new audience. I have no doubt that she will shine in this role as she has done in so many productions with The Royal Ballet and look forward to her returning to the Company next spring.’

Based on “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T.S. Eliot, the film adaptation will be produced by Working Title Films in association with Monumental Pictures and The Really Useful Group and executive produced by three-time Oscar® winner Steven Spielberg, Lloyd Webber and Angela Morrison.

Here's a look at the role of Victoria, as danced by Phyllida Crowley-Smith



Image - ©Rick Guest 2016, supplied by ROH