Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Cats” Cat‑Crisis and a Therapy Havanese
When the 2019 movie “Cats” hit theatres, the mastermind behind the 1981 stage hit—Andrew Lloyd Webber, 73—found himself less cat‑joyful than a cat in a bathtub full of milk. In a candid break‑down, he spent a Hollywood hour on Variety and revealed a surprising remedy: a tiny Havanese puppy. Yes, the great composer went from disdaining a film to buying a fur‑friend.
He Hates a Film, He Loves a Dog
Webber was right in his fury: “Cats was off‑the‑scale all wrong.” He’s known for critiquing the movie where Tom Hooper tried to turn the stage musical into a silver‑screen sensation, but none of the original team were consulted. “The whole thing was ridiculous,” he said. Instead of a cat‑based solution, he chuckled and bought a Havanese puppy—the smallest helper you can ask for.
And when he requested his puppy on a flight, he had to prove he “was emotionally damaged” after seeing the film. He calculated a response that read: “Yes, just see what Hollywood did to my musical.” The airline eventually accepted, noting, “No doctor’s report required.” Funny, right?
The “Un‑Eliot” Problem
Ever since the film came out, Webber has rolled his eyes at performers like James Corden, Taylor Swift, and Idris Elba. He specifically targeted Corden’s portrayal of “Bustopher Jones” during a 1998 live‑stream commentary. “Bustopher without interruptions, as I wrote it,” Webber declared, a tongue‑in‑cheek jab at any “unfunny interpolations.”
He also hinted at not wanting to “be beguiled by other versions.” His critique was so sharp he told audiences that the film’s rendition was “un‑Eliot” and that the cat did not “hang around on a seesaw” as any genuine feline might. (Spoiler: It didn’t. The cat in the movie often looked like a slightly disgruntled goldfish in motion.)
From Stage to Screen: He’s Had His HAY‑days
Webber has his own ears for music, and he cared about the “music tick” in the original. The movie “really didn’t understand” why the tunes felt the way they did. He chatted with his audience, letting them know that the break‑down prompted a therapeutic “dog purchase,” which stuck like a cat to a kitten’s side. It’s a story that mixes drama and whimsy, and it’s oddly heartwarming for its own brand.
- Original Stage Musical? 1981 – “Cats” gave people cat lovers’ hearts a beat.
- 2019 Film? Tom Hooper’s version, starring James Corden, Taylor Swift, Idris Elba, and Dame Judi Dench.
- Andrew’s Reaction? “Off-the-scale wrong” + a little puppy for therapy.
So next time you’re watching a film that turns out to be less “Cat‑happening” than you expect, remember Andrew Lloyd Webber’s approach: first, let the cat shatter your emotional balance— then call a puppy to help keep it all in order.
