Try GOLD - Free
'I'VE HAD THE MOST AMAZING CAREER'
Woman's Day Australia
|July 7, 2025
The star reflects on his stellar run as he returns to Cats in dual roles for its 40th anniversary
Thirty-eight years after he first played Tumblebrutus in the original Melbourne production of Cats, Todd McKenney has dusted off his whiskers and is ready to hit the stage in not one, but two new roles as the much-lauded Andrew Lloyd Webber musical celebrates its 40th anniversary.
Sitting down with Woman's Day ahead of the first curtain going up, the beloved 60-year-old performer talks about the “wonderful” full-circle moment and a possible return to TV.
You were in the original Melbourne cast of Cats in the '80s...Yeah, I was the young guy. I was the young acrobatic cat. I backflipped all over the stage - my character was called Tumblebrutus - and now I'm the oldest person in the company, and I'm playing the geriatric cat!
This story is from the July 7, 2025 edition of Woman's Day Australia.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Woman's Day Australia
Woman's Day Australia
THE WONDERS OF Whistler
WD's Janine uncovers Canada's ultimate family ski holiday experience
2 mins
May 18, 2026
Woman's Day Australia
BRITNEY'S REHAB RECKONING
Britney Spears' inner circle are hoping she's ready and willing to start a new chapter of sobriety, after her threeweek stint in rehab and escaping jail time for drink driving.
1 min
May 18, 2026
Woman's Day Australia
BINDI'S NEW CHAPTER
The Wildlife Warrior is ready to step back from the limelight to focus on her health
3 mins
May 18, 2026
Woman's Day Australia
FEELING THE NEED FOR SPEED!
There were feuds, disasters on set and shock casting calls in the aviation classic
3 mins
May 18, 2026
Woman's Day Australia
EUGENIE & BEA DOUBLE BABY DRAMA
Just days after Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie were seen in Mayfair, Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Eugenie, 36, and her husband Jack, 40, are expecting baby number three!
1 min
May 18, 2026
Woman's Day Australia
CAM & BENJI'S BABY SURPRISE!
Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden are now a family of five!
1 min
May 18, 2026
Woman's Day Australia
LILY KING A LOVE STORY FOR THE AGES!
In town for the Sydney Writers' Festival, the author talks love, loss and more
2 mins
May 18, 2026
Woman's Day Australia
Supergran Sandra - 'I'VE GOT A FAMILY OF 50!'
Raising 12 children and 38 grandchildren has been her life's work
3 mins
May 18, 2026
Woman's Day Australia
'CAPTAIN STARLIGHT KEPT US SMILING!'
Ten-year-old Zai wants to be just like his hospital heroes when he grows up
2 mins
May 18, 2026
Woman's Day Australia
BLAKE VS JUSTIN IT ENDS WITH...A SETTLEMENT!
After a year-and-a-half of slanging matches and legal battles, Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni's epic workplace feud finally ended with a settlement-just weeks before their civil trial was due to start.
1 min
May 18, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size