Cats

Alternate meaning: cat (the animal)

Cats is a musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber in 1981 based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot. It was on the stage in the New London Theatre for exactly 21 years and 8,949 performances, from 11 May 1981 to 11 May 2002, the longest running musical in British musical history. It is also the longest running musical in Broadway history. Since its opening, Cats has been presented in 26 countries and over three hundred cities. Its hit song "Memory" has been recorded by over 150 artists.

Its popularity comes despite never being critically acclaimed. Many argue it has a mainstream, family appeal that many other more "prestigious" musicals are lacking. It is and has been one of the most loved musicals of all time, being translated into over 20 languages. It is still playing in Britain and has tours around the world.

Cats' popularity was so universal that the phrase "it was better than Cats!" came into use. Usually used mockingly, the idea was that a given movie/play/product wasn't just merely GOOD, but surpassed even the wonder that is Cats.

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Cats is also the name of the evil cyborg in the video game Zero Wing who is responsible for the infamous phrase "All your base are belong to us."