Cats (musical)

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Cats

Now and Forever
Music Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics T.S. Eliot
Book T.S. Eliot
Producer(s) Cameron Mackintosh
Director Trevor Nunn, Gillian Lynne
Choreographer Gillian Lynne
Scenic designer John Napier
Costume designer John Napier
Lighting designer David Hersey
Official website

Cats is a musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats and other poems by T. S. Eliot. Although it has never been critically acclaimed, Cats is one of the most popular musicals of all time having been performed around the world in numerous productions (the show has been translated into over 20 languages).

Contents

[edit] Production history

The cast of the 2002 South African CATS production.
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The cast of the 2002 South African CATS production.

Cats was first shown in London's West End, at the New London Theatre, on May 11, 1981. It was originally produced onstage by Cameron Mackintosh and ALW's The Really Useful Theatre Company. It was directed by Trevor Nunn, associate director and choreographer Gillian Lynne, designed by John Napier with lighting by David Hersey.The show then made its debut on Broadway on October 7, 1982 at the Winter Garden Theatre with the same production team. On June 19, 1997 Cats became the longest running musical in Broadway history with 6,138 performances. It played a total of 8,949 performances in London and 7,485 in New York. Its New York record was surpassed on January 9, 2006 by The Phantom of the Opera, which was also composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Cats' final performance on Broadway was on September 10, 2000. Its final performance in London's West End was on its 21st birthday, May 11, 2002 and broadcast on a large screen in Covent Garden to the delight of fans who could not acquire a ticket for the final performance.

In 1998, Andrew Lloyd Webber produced a video version of Cats, based upon the stage performance (augmented for the media of film), starring Elaine Paige, who originated the role of Grizabella in London, Ken Page, who originated Old Deuteronomy on Broadway, Sir John Mills, Michael Gruber, and John Partridge, among other dancers and singers drawn largely from stage productions of the show. It was directed for film by David Mallet with choreography and musical staging by the show's respected original creator Gillian Lynne in London's Adelphi Theatre, and was released on VHS and DVD, as well as broadcast on Television worldwide.

[edit] Plot

The story involves a group of felines, known as the Jellicle Tribe, who inhabit a junkyard and congregate for an annual Jellicle Ball. At the conclusion of each Jellicle Ball, one cat is chosen by Old Deuteronomy to ascend to the Heaviside Layer, a sort of cat equivalent of Heaven (a concept derived from an unpublished Eliot poem). Each cat "auditions" with a different song and/or dance number, some nominating other cats while others put themselves forward. Some minor complications involving the abduction of the Jellicle patriarch, Old Deuteronomy, by the evil Macavity occur before a cat is chosen.

The final selection turns out to be Grizabella, "the Glamour Cat," whose now-faded charms do not prevent her from singing "Memory," the show's best-known song. It has been recorded by over 150 artists, and is considered by some to be Webber's signature tune. The lyrics are based on Eliot's poems "Rhapsody on a Windy Night" and "Preludes."

Cats was originally conceived as a song cycle and the intent from the beginning appeared to be to capture a sense of the fun and style of T.S Eliot's words in music. Indeed, the focus of attention is more on the nature and structure of Jellicle society than on developing any particular character or series of events; the question, "What's a Jellicle Cat?" is posed early in the show, and everything that follows serves as part of the answer.

The name "Jellicle Cat" is derived from an attempt by T.S. Eliot's infant niece to say "dear little cat". The name "Pollicle dog" is similarly derived from an attempt by that same child to say "poor little dog".

[edit] Characters

The following are the characters in the show:

  • Admetus - A young cat, who in many productions, also doubles as Macavity or Rumpus Cat. Omitted from some productions.
  • Alonzo - A black and white tom in most productions; in the US and the first German productions, he is depicted as being black and gold. Often considered the 'second-hand-man' to Munkustrap.
  • Asparagus (nicknamed Gus) - The theatre cat. In the filmed version, Gus and Asparagus are two separate characters; whereas on stage the same actor usually plays Asparagus as a general chorus cat, and a younger version of Gus, up to the song "Gus the Theatre Cat", in which he portrays an older Gus, and Growltiger, then afterwards continues to play younger Gus, "Asparagus."
  • Bill Bailey - A young black, white, and brown male. Sometimes interchangeable with the character of Tumblebrutus. Omitted from some productions.
  • Bombalurina - A saucy red female, often believed to be the leader of the female "queen" cats. She is close friends with Demeter.
  • Bustopher Jones - A fat cat, a '25 pounder.' Dresses in a snappy tuxedo and spats. Respected by all, as the upper class "St James' Street Cat". In most productions, the actor playing Gus also plays Bustopher, though in early productions the part was handled by the actor playing Old Deuteronomy.
  • Carbucketty - The name was one of T.S. Eliot's ideas for cat names for a "knockabout cat". Sometimes interchangeable with the character of Pouncival. Omitted from some productions.
  • Cassandra - A brown and cream Burmese female, with a braided tail and rolled wig. Unique and somewhat mysterious. In some Japanese productions, Cassandra is known as Tantomile.
  • Coricopat - Male twin to Tantomile. Both of them are intuitive or even psychic. Omitted from some productions.
  • Demeter - She is very skittish; many of the CATS fan community believe this is due to a bad relationship in her past, perhaps a run-in with Macavity. She is close friends with Bombalurina.
  • Electra - An orange and black tabby kitten who seems to be friends with Etcetera as well as a fan of Rum Tum Tugger.
  • Etcetera - A happy, energetic kitten who is a big Rum Tum Tugger fan. Omitted from some productions.
  • Exotica - A female character who only appears in the filmed version, and was a role created specially for Femi Taylor.
  • George - A young male kitten, omitted from most productions.
  • Ghengis or Gilbert - The leader of the crew of Siamese cats who lead to Growltiger's demise. Usually played by the actor who portrays Mungojerrie, Tumblebrutus, or Coricopat.
  • Grizabella - The former Glamour Cat who has lost her sparkle and now only wants to be accepted. Ultimately, she is the one chosen to ascend to the "Heaviside Layer" and be reborn.
  • Lady Griddlebone - A fluffy white persian cat, and Growltiger's lover in "Growltiger's Last Stand", where she sings "The Ballad of Billy McCaw" or the mock Italian aria "In una tepida notte", (depending on production) with Growltiger. Almost always played by the actress playing Jellylorum. Does not appear in productions which omit "Growltiger's Last Stand".
  • Growltiger - A theatrical character Gus recalls playing in his youth, and who appears in Gus' memory of the production of "Growltiger's Last Stand". In some productions he is portrayed as a vicious pirate; in others he's more of a parody of a pirate. Does not appear in productions which omit "Growltiger's Last Stand"
  • Jellylorum - Named after T.S. Eliot's cat. A female who watches out for the kittens, along with Jennyanydots. She has a close relationship with Gus.
  • Jemima - Can be used interchangeably with Sillabub. Jemima is used in most international productions including the video. Sillabub was a name created for the American productions. However, Japanese casts include both Sillabub and Jemima as different characters. The first actress to play Jemima was Sarah Brightman. She is portrayed as a calico kitten and, while innocent, is quite wise.
  • Jennyanydots - The old Gumbie cat. She sits all day and rules the mice and cockroaches at night. it is said that Munkustrap loves her.
  • Macavity - He is the show's only real villain. The character is a literary allusion to the Sherlock Holmes character Professor Moriarty. He executes the kidnapping of Old Deuteronomy in the second act and also attempts to abduct Demeter. After a freocious battle, he escapes, but not without hurting Munkustrap.
  • The Magical Mr. Mistoffelees - A young tom who has magical powers including the ability to create flash explosions (or lightning bolts in the filmed version, thanks to computer technology). His signature dance move is "The Conjuring Turn", which is approximately twenty-five spins on one foot. In most productions, Mistoffelees has an alter-ego named Quaxo, who appears as a general chorus cat throughout the show, and is dressed slightly differently.
  • Mungojerrie - Half of a pair of notorious "cat-burglars", Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer. Usually plays Ghengis/Gilbert.
  • Munkustrap - A black and silver tom who is leader and protector of the Jellicle tribe. He also narrates "The Pekes and the Pollicles." Considered the storyteller of the tribe.
  • Old Deuteronomy - The lovable patriarch of the Jellicle Tribe.
  • Plato - Sometimes used interchangeably with George or Admetus. He does a pas de deux with Victoria during the Jellicle Ball. Omitted from some productions.
  • Pouncival - A playful tom kitten, generally interchangeable with Carbucketty.
  • Rumpleteazer - Female half of a pair of notorious "cat-burglars", Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer. Her name can also be spelled 'Rumpelteazer,' the spelling originally used by T.S. Eliot; this is the spelling used by most productions.
  • The Rum Tum Tugger - The ladies' tom. His temperament ranges from clownish to serious, and often sexual depending on the production; however, he is always flirtatious, and usually portrayed as a feline equivalent of Mick Jagger or Elvis Presley, and noticeable by his wild mane.
  • Rumpus Cat - The great spiky haired brave cat with glowing red eyes, as mentioned in 'The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles', seen as a super hero figure amongst the Jellicles. Does not appear in productions which omit the song "The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles". Usually played by Alonzo or Admetus.
  • Sillabub (see Jemima), The Broadway version's Jemima, although the Japanese version contains both.
  • Skimbleshanks - The railway cat. An active orange tabby cat who lives on the trains and acts as an unofficial chaperone.
  • Tantomile - Female twin of Coricopat. Both of them are perceived as intuitive or even psychic.
  • Tumblebrutus - US counterpart for Bill Bailey.
  • Victor - A young male. Sometimes known as part of the "Cats chorus". Omitted from some productions.
  • Victoria - A white kitten extremely gifted in dancing. The "official" Jellicle Ball begins with her solo dance.

[edit] Musical numbers

Original London Cast Recording
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Original London Cast Recording

The following is a complete list of songs from the production. The DVD and VHS versions do not include "Growltiger's Last Stand" or "The Ballad of Billy McCaw." In some productions, "The Old Gumbie Cat," "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer," and "The Jellicle Ball" are slimmed down or even removed due to time restrictions, as is often the case for "The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles" in US productions. Another song, "The Ballad of Billy McCaw", was originally sung by Growltiger and Lady Griddlebone, and appeared during "Growltiger's Last Stand". This song disappeared from the show in the mid-1990s, only to be re-instated in the UK and US tours, to the approval of both the public and Andrew Lloyd Webber himself. The filmed performance is the only version with a short part of "Rule Britannia" during "The Old Gumbie Cat".

ACT ONE: When Cats are Maddened by the Midnight Dance

  • Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats
  • The Naming of Cats
  • Invitation to the Jellicle Ball
  • The Old Gumbie Cat
  • The Rum Tum Tugger
  • Grizabella - The Glamour Cat
  • Bustopher Jones
  • Mungojerrie And Rumpelteazer
  • Old Deuteronomy
  • The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles
  • The Jellicle Ball
  • Grizabella

ACT TWO: Why will the Summer Day delay? When will time flow away?

  • The Moments of Happiness
  • Gus - The Theatre Cat
  • Growltiger's Last Stand (including either "The Ballad of Billy McCaw" or "Una Tiepida Notte" depending on production)
  • Skimbleshanks - The Railway Cat
  • Macavity - The Mystery Cat
  • Mr. Mistoffelees
  • Memory
  • The Journey to The Heaviside Layer
  • The Ad-Dressing of Cats

[edit] Awards

Cats was nominated for, and WON the following Tony Awards in 1983:

[edit] Trivia

  • As time went on, many of the adaptations of the show used an Italian Aria which was written for the Broadway production rather than the original "Ballad of Billy McCaw". (An exception includes the Hungarian production at the Madách Színház in Budapest which opened in 1983 and is still running in repertory as of late 2006. Production in Helsinki and Prague also used the song.) The Ballad remained in the London production until sometime in the the early 1990's when it was replaced with the Italian Aria, however, much to the pleasure of Andrew Lloyd Webber and many fans, the Ballad has been re-instated for the UK Tours of the show following the show's closure in London
  • In the filmed version, there is a car in the junkyard with the license plate number of "TSE 1", TSE being the initials of T. S. Eliot. In most productions the license plate reads "NAP" followed by the number of the production, the "NAP" stands for John Napier, the set and costume designer.
  • To be politically correct, in recent times a lyric was changed in 'Growltiger's Last Stand', which changed from "with a frightful burst of fireworks the Chinks they swarmed aboard!" to "with a frightful burst of fireworks, the Siamese swarmed aboard!"

[edit] External links


Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals
The Likes of Us • Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat • Jesus Christ Superstar • Evita • Cats • Song and Dance • Starlight Express • The Phantom of the Opera • Aspects of Love • Sunset Boulevard • By Jeeves • Whistle Down the Wind • The Beautiful Game • The Woman in White
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