CATS is the story of a tribe of cats, the Jellicles. We get the feeling that
these are very special cats that have gathered for a very special night--the
Jellicle Ball. This is the night where the leader of the Jellicle Tribe, Old
Deuteronomy, will choose one lucky cat to go to the Heavyside Layer. The
Heavyside Layer functions as sort of a kitty heaven. The cats then begin to
introduce the choices for this honor, and gradually more and more of the tribe
is introduced. Grizabella, an old, tattered cat appears. She was exiled from
the Jellicles, and now she is seeking to regain entrance to the home she so loves.
She is forbidden, and is shunned. Finally, Old Deuteronomy arrives and a short play,
"The Pekes and the Pollicles" is presented for his enjoyment. The Ball begins, and all
procedes well until Grizabella returns at the end. The Jellicles again shun her,
and she is left alone to wish that the old days would return. Old Deuteronomy,
however, is watching her.
When the cats return, they are still celebrating, introducing several more members
of their tribe. Then, terror strikes as Macavity appears and kidnaps Old
Deuteronomy. After an adrenaline filled battle, Magical Mister Mistoffelees
appears and returns the beloved leader. The moment has arrived for Old
Deuteronomy to make his choice, but as he is about to, Grizabella returns and,
before she can be chased off, begins to tell the tribe of her lonely life and
her hardships. Moved to compassion, the tribe accepts her again and she is chosen
to go to the Heavyside Layer. "And this is this, and that is that....."
First, you've got Old Deuteronomy. He's big, he's old, he's loveable---sort of like
a grandfather figure to the Tribe. He radiates majesty and authority, and he
seems to have some sort of magical powers or intuition. Next comes Munkustrap,
who could be Old D.'s son or grandson. He's the second in command, and the
storyteller of the Tribe. He's a bit of a stuffed shirt, but loveable in spite of
it. He'll presumably take over when Old D. goes to the Heavyside Layer. After that,
the authority diverges. Alonzo is generally accepted to be third-in-command, but
this is less certain. After these three come the adult cats, the adolescents, and
the kittens. Outside of the Tribe is Macavity, the Napoleon of Crime.
3. What makes CATS such an object of fanaticism for its fans?
Because it rocks. Nuff said.
4. Are all the Jellicles magical?
No. Only a select few are, and those are generally believed to be Old Deuteronomy.
Mistoffelees, Tantomile, and Coricopat.
5. What's with the white cat doing that funny dance with the big guy? What's it
supposed to mean?
I assume they mean Victoria and Plato. This is mostly understood to be a mating dance,
where the oldest kitten is chosen to "lose her innocence". Plato is the male cat to
approach her (in the video), and after she has accepted him the rest of the Tribe
gathers around to honor them.
6. When did CATS open on Broadway?
CATS opened on October 7th, 1982 at the Winter Garden Theatre in New York.
7. Jellicles? Pollicles? HUH??!!!
T.S. Eliot wrote the poems that CATS is based on for his godson and goddaughter.
"Jellicle" was his goddaughter's way of trying to say "dear little kitten", but it
came out as "Jellicle" instead. Likewise, "Pollicle" is his godson's way of
saying "poor little dog". He used both of those phrases in Old Possum's Book
of Practical Cats.
8. Do the two figures in the CATS eye logo represent any of the cast members?
Yes, in fact they do! Not many people pick up on this, but the two figures in the
logo represent Mistoffelees and Victoria, as played by Timothy Scott and Cynthia
Onrubia, the Original Broadway cast members.
9. Where do they get the stuff for the costumes? And what the heck are the wigs made
out of?
Well, to answer the first question here would take up too much space! Let's just say
that the unitard (the "body" of the cat) is available from most dance supply
companies, such as New York Dancewear. You
can get more info on both where to get supplies and how to make a costume at
Marzipan's Jellicle Litter or
Jadelynn-Again's Project.
Also, the wigs that the cast members wear are made from yak hair.
10. What's better, the Video or the live show?
Uh-oh, tough question! In my opinion, and the collective opinion of the Gathering
staff, there is no comparison. They are simply too different. The Video had the advantage
of being able to do a scene several times until they got it perfected, and the cast
is superb, but sometimes there's an artificial, staged air about it. There may
be mistakes in the live performance, but this just adds to the spontanaeity of the
show! If you're wondering which to see first, test the waters and watch the Video
first. Then, if you love it, I'd say the live version is for you!
That's all for now! Please send your questions to maabqueen69@hotmail.com!