Andrew Lloyd Webber criticises Cats film adaptation: ‘The whole thing was ridiculous’

Seems like he’s still feline mad about it...

Andrew Lloyd Webber has criticised last year’s film adaptation of his hit musical Cats, describing it as “ridiculous”.

The film, which boasted an ensemble cast including Idris Elba, Dame Judi Dench, Taylor Swift, James Corden and Rebel Wilson, was disparaged by critics and viewers alike.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Lloyd Webber said: “The problem with the film was that [director] Tom Hooper decided that he didn’t want anybody involved in it who was involved in the original show.”

“The whole thing was ridiculous,” he added.

Much of the criticism at the time of the film’s release focused on the CGI graphics used to transforms its stars into humanoid-cat fusions, which were widely described as “creepy”.

Cats swept the Golden Raspberry awards – known as the Razzies – winning Worst Picture, Worst Supporting Actor (James Corden), Worst Supporting Actress (Rebel Wilson), Worst On-screen Combo, Worst Screenplay and Worst Director.

Lloyd Webber first adapted TS Eliot’s poetry collection Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats into a stage musical in 1981. Cats went on to become the fourth longest-running show on Broadway, and the sixth longest on London’s West End.

The composer has previously criticised the film, singling out Corden’s performance as Bustopher Jones, which he described as “absolutely un-Eliot”.