One of the most popular theatrical shows of the last quarter century is undoubtedly Cats, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical based on the T.S. Eliot collection of Old Possum poems. It premiered in 1981 and became a hit on Broadway and in the West End as well as reviving interest in the original poems. Yet twenty seven years before that event, another musical version of Cats was presented to the public. English composer Alan Rawsthorne was invited to set six of the poems to music for a concert for children to be presented at the Edinburgh Festival in 1954. The show went well enough for those concerned to consider recording it for commercial release. Actor Robert Donat was brought in to read the poems. Six poems are featured, including the well known The Naming of Cats.

1. Overture
2. The Naming Of Cats
3. The Old Gumbie Cat
4. Gus, The Theatre Cat
5. Bustopher Jones: The Cat About Town
6. Old Deuteronomy
7. The Song Of The Jellicles