Cats (musical) facts for kids
Cats is a famous musical created by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It is based on a book of poems called Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by T. S. Eliot. The musical tells the story of a special group of cats called the Jellicles. One night, they have a big meeting called "the Jellicle choice." During this meeting, they decide which cat will get to go to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a brand new life. Cats is also known for its very popular song, "Memory." The show first opened in 1981.
Trevor Nunn directed Cats, and Gillian Lynne created the dances. It first opened in London's West End in 1981. Then, it moved to Broadway in New York City in 1982. The musical won many awards, including "Best Musical" at both the Laurence Olivier Awards and the Tony Awards. The London show ran for 21 years, and the Broadway show ran for 18 years. Both of these were new records for how long a musical could play! Actresses Elaine Paige and Betty Buckley became very famous for their roles in Cats. One actress, Marlene Danielle, performed in the Broadway show for its entire run, from 1982 to 2000.
As of 2016, Cats is the fourth-longest-running show in Broadway history. It was even the longest-running Broadway show from 1997 to 2006. Then, another musical, The Phantom of the Opera, played for even longer. Cats is also the sixth-longest-running musical in London's West End. It has been performed all over the world and translated into more than 20 languages. In 1998, Cats was even made into a movie for television.
Contents
How the Show Was Made
Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote the music for Cats. He based it on T. S. Eliot's book of poems, Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, which he loved as a child. Most of the songs in the musical use Eliot's poems as lyrics. The most famous song, "Memory", is different. Its lyrics were written by Trevor Nunn, inspired by another Eliot poem.
Lloyd Webber started writing the music in 1977. He showed his songs at a festival in 1980. T.S. Eliot's wife, Valerie Eliot, was there and loved the music. She gave her permission for the songs to be made into a musical. Rehearsals for the show started in 1981. The musical was unusual because it didn't have a clear story at first. The Eliot family wanted the show to use only the original poems, not a new script. This made some actors confused about what they were doing!
The music in Cats is very varied. It includes classical, pop, jazz, rock, and even hymn-like songs. The show is mostly told through music, with almost no spoken words. Dancing is also a huge part of the musical, especially during the long "Jellicle Ball" dance. The stage set looks like a giant junkyard and stays the same throughout the whole show.
Cats first opened in London on May 11, 1981. There was a small problem before it opened. The actress Judi Dench, who was supposed to play Grizabella, hurt her leg. Elaine Paige took her place. The musical was produced by Cameron Mackintosh and Lloyd Webber's company, Really Useful Group. It was directed by Trevor Nunn, with dances by Gillian Lynne. The show played 8,949 times in London. Its last show in London was on its 21st birthday, May 11, 2002. It was shown on a big screen in Covent Garden for fans who couldn't get tickets. Cats was London's longest-running musical until 2006, when Les Misérables played for longer.
The show came to Broadway in New York City on October 7, 1982. It had the same creative team. On June 19, 1997, Cats became the longest-running musical in Broadway history. It played 6,138 times. It closed on September 10, 2000, after 7,485 performances. Its Broadway record was broken in 2006 by The Phantom of the Opera. Today, it is still Broadway's fourth-longest-running show. Lloyd Webber said the original London show cost about £900,000 to make. The Broadway show cost $5,000,000.
In 1998, Lloyd Webber made a video version of Cats. It was based on the stage show. It starred Elaine Paige, who was the first Grizabella in London. Ken Page played Old Deuteronomy, just like he did on Broadway. Sir John Mills played Gus. Many of the dancers and singers were from different stage productions of the show. The film was made to feel like you were watching the live show. It has been released on video and DVD and shown on TV around the world. Cats has been performed professionally in many countries, including Hungary, Japan, Germany, France, Mexico, and many more. It has been translated into over 20 languages.
What Happens in the Show
Act I — When Cats Are Maddened by the Midnight Dance
After the music starts, the Cats come onto the stage. They explain who the Jellicle tribe is and what they do ("Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats"). The Cats then notice people watching them. They explain how cats get their names ("The Naming of Cats"). Next, Victoria the White Cat performs a dance. This dance starts the Jellicle Ball ("The Invitation to the Jellicle Ball"). Munkustrap, who is a wise leader, explains that tonight, their old leader, Old Deuteronomy, will choose a cat. This cat will be reborn into a new life on the Heaviside Layer.
Munkustrap then introduces Jennyanydots ("The Old Gumbie Cat"). She is a big tabby cat who sits all day. But at night, she teaches mice and cockroaches how to do things. After her song, the music changes. The Rum Tum Tugger makes a grand entrance ("The Rum Tum Tugger"). He is very playful and hard to please.
As Rum Tum Tugger's song ends, a scruffy old grey cat appears. It is Grizabella. All the other Cats move away from her. They sing about her sad situation ("Grizabella: The Glamour Cat"). Grizabella leaves, and the music becomes cheerful. Bustopher Jones, a fat cat in a fancy black coat, appears ("Bustopher Jones: The Cat About Town"). He is a very important cat. Suddenly, a loud crash scares the Cats, and they run off stage. Then, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, two mischievous cat-burglars, sneak in. They love causing trouble for human families ("Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer").
Finally, the oldest and wisest Jellicle, Old Deuteronomy, appears ("Old Deuteronomy"). He is a big old Cat who has "lived many lives." He is the one who will choose which Jellicle Cat will go to the Heaviside Layer. The Cats are happy to see him. They then perform a play for Old Deuteronomy ("The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles"). It's a story about two dog groups fighting. A cat with glowing red eyes, the Great Rumpus Cat, scares them away. After Old Deuteronomy shares a lesson, another loud crash scares the Cats again. Old Deuteronomy calls them back, and the main celebration begins ("The Jellicle Ball"). The Cats sing and show off their amazing dancing.
During the Ball, Grizabella comes back. She tries to dance, but she is old and tired. The other Cats still avoid her. But she sings a short part of "Memory".
Act II — Why Will the Summer Day Delay — When Will Time Flow Away?
After the Jellicle Ball, Old Deuteronomy sings about "what happiness is," thinking of Grizabella. The Cats don't understand at first. He repeats the message, and Jemima (or Sillabub) sings it more simply ("The Moments of Happiness"). Gus, whose full name is Asparagus, slowly comes forward ("Gus: The Theatre Cat"). He used to be a famous actor but is now old and shaky. Jellylorum tells stories about his past acting days. Gus remembers playing the scary pirate Growltiger ("Growltiger's Last Stand"). He tells a story about Growltiger's love for Griddlebone and how he was captured by Siamese cats.
Back in the present, after Gus leaves, Skimbleshanks is seen sleeping ("Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat"). He is an orange tabby cat who lives on trains. He is very important to the night train to Glasgow. Without him, "the train can't start." During his song, the Cats build a whole train engine from junk on the stage.
With a third crash and an evil laugh, the "most wanted" cat, Macavity, appears. He is a "master criminal" who is never caught at the crime scene. Macavity's helpers throw a net over Old Deuteronomy and take him away. As the other Cats try to follow, Demeter and Bombalurina sing about what they know about Macavity ("Macavity: The Mystery Cat"). When they finish, Macavity returns, dressed like Old Deuteronomy. But Demeter reveals his disguise. Macavity fights with Munkustrap and Alonzo. He holds his own for a while, but then the other Cats start to surround him. He turns off the stage lights to escape in the confusion.
After the fight, Rum Tum Tugger suggests finding a magician cat named Mr. Mistoffelees ("Magical Mr. Mistoffelees"). Mr. Mistoffelees is a small black cat who can do magic tricks no other cat can. Mr. Mistoffelees arrives and performs his amazing dance. This dance is one of the hardest in the show. The magical Cat brings back the lights and Old Deuteronomy. All the Cats praise him. Now, the Jellicle Choice can be made.
After Old Deuteronomy sits down, Grizabella returns. He lets her speak to the group. Her tired look and lonely song ("Memory") don't seem to help at first. But with encouragement from Jemima and Victoria, her song works! She is chosen to go to the Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a new Jellicle life ("Journey to the Heaviside Layer"). A large tire rises from the junk, carrying Grizabella and Old Deuteronomy partway up. He then steps off so she can finish the journey alone. Finally, Old Deuteronomy gives his last speech to the human audience ("The Ad-dressing of Cats"), and the show ends.
Main Characters
- Asparagus / Gus – An old actor cat, known as "the Theatre cat."
- Bombalurina – A confident red cat who sings "Macavity" with Demeter.
- Bustopher Jones – A well-respected, fat cat from the upper class. He looks very neat, like he's wearing a tuxedo.
- Demeter – A nervous cat who sings "Macavity" with Bombalurina.
- Griddlebone – Growltiger's girlfriend in the story "Growltiger's Last Stand."
- Grizabella – A former "glamour cat" who is now old and lonely. The other Jellicle cats avoid her, but she wants to be accepted.
- Growltiger – A pirate cat that Gus remembers playing when he was young.
- Jellylorum – A queen cat who looks after the kittens. She sings "Gus: The Theatre Cat."
- Jemima – A young kitten. She is the first cat to be kind to Grizabella.
- Jennyanydots – The "Old Gumbie cat." She sits all day but at night she teaches mice and cockroaches good habits.
- Macavity – A very famous criminal cat, known as "The Napoleon of Crime." He is like the Sherlock Holmes villain, Professor Moriarty.
- Mr. Mistoffelees – A young black cat who is learning to use his magic powers. He is a fantastic dancer.
- Mungojerrie – One half of a famous pair of cat-burglars, with Rumpleteazer.
- Munkustrap – The main storyteller of the show. He is a tabby cat who protects the Jellicle tribe and is Old Deuteronomy's helper.
- Old Deuteronomy – The very old and wise leader of the Jellicle Cats.
- Rumpleteazer – One half of a famous pair of cat-burglars, with Mungojerrie.
- The Rum Tum Tugger – A flashy and playful cat.
- Skimbleshanks – The "railway cat." He is an active orange tabby cat who lives on trains and helps make sure they run on time.
- Victoria – A white kitten. She is a featured dancer and is the first cat to touch Grizabella.
Images for kids
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T. S. Eliot's poetry provided most of the lyrics for Cats.
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The Jellicle cats gather every year to make the "Jellicle choice" and decide which cat will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life.
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From left to right: Old Deuteronomy, Jemima, Grizabella and Victoria during an event in Germany, 2011.
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Cats at the New London Theatre (1999).
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Broadway revival of Cats at the Neil Simon Theatre.
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The CATS Theatre in Shinagawa, Tokyo (2008).
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The Operettenhaus where Cats played for 15 years.
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The first non-replica production of Cats was staged at the Teatr Muzyczny Roma in Warsaw, Poland (2007).
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A school production of Cats in Bangalore, India (2014).
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The cat's-eyes logo and the "now and forever" slogan were used to advertise the musical at the New London Theatre (1999).
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Radio microphones have become common in live theatre since Cats.
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See also
In Spanish: Cats para niños
