Speed Reading — Level 4 — 500 wpm 

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The hit musical 'Cats' will be a little different when it makes its London comeback in December. A traditional song is now a rap. The musical's writer wanted to update it to appeal to younger theatre-goers. 'Cats' is based on the book "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats" by the British writer T. S. Eliot. It is about a group of cats who must decide who gets to come back to life. 'Cats' first opened in London in 1981 and ran for 21 years. It won many awards.

The rap will be from the character Rum Tum Tugger, a rebellious street cat. Lloyd Webber said he is a modern street cat who "has to do hip-hop". He also said the 1930s poem that the cat sings has a strong rap rhythm. He joked that T.S. Eliot was the world's first rapper and the inventor of rap. The show's producer said the rap was for "a whole new generation of kids". He said parts of the musical could become a lot more energetic and modern.

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