Cats is a
sung-through British musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on Old
Possum's Book of Practical Cats (written in 1939 by T. S. Eliot), and
produced by Cameron Mackintosh. The first Broadway performance of Cats
was in 1982 and it ran for 18 years with 6,138 performances, setting a new
record until it was surpassed by The Phantom of the Opera.
The musical tells the story of a tribe of cats called the Jellicles and the
night they make what is known as "the Jellicle choice" and decide
which cat will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and come back to a new life. Cats
introduced the song standard "Memory".
Act I – When Cats Are Maddened by the Midnight
Dance
After the overture, the Cats gather on stage and explain the Jellicle tribe
and its purpose ("Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats"). The Cats (who
break the fourth wall throughout the production) then notice that they are
being watched by a man, and proceed to explain how the different Cats of the
tribe are named ("The Naming of Cats"). This is followed by a dance
from Victoria the White Cat, who performs a ballet which signals the beginning
of the Jellicle Ball ("The Invitation to the Jellicle Ball").
Meanwhile, Munkustrap, the executive chief of the tribe, explains that tonight,
the Jellicle leader, Old Deuteronomy, will choose a cat to be reborn into a new
life on the Heaviside Layer.
Munkustrap introduces Jennyanydots ("The Old Gumbie Cat"), a
large tabby cat, who "sits and sits and sits and sits" every day,
while (every night) she teaches the mice and cockroaches various activities.
However, when Jennyanydots finishes her song, the number is interrupted, with
the music changing suddenly, when the Rum Tum Tugger makes an extravagant
entrance ("The Rum Tum Tugger"). He is very fickle and unappeasable,
"for he will do as he do do, and there's no doing anything about it".
As Rum Tum Tugger's song fades, a shabby old grey cat stumbles out and
looks around (begging forgiveness of her sin she made before she was exiled
from the tribe years ago); it is Grizabella. All the Cats back away from her in
fear and disgust and explain of her unfortunate state ("Grizabella: The
Glamour Cat"). Grizabella leaves and the music changes to a cheerful
upbeat number as Bustopher Jones, a fat cat in "a coat of fastidious
black", appears ("Bustopher Jones: The Cat About Town").
Bustopher Jones is among the elite of the cats, and visits prestigious
gentlemen's clubs. Suddenly, a loud crash then startles the tribe and the Cats
run off the stage in fright. All of a sudden, hushed giggling sounds signal the
entrance of Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, a pair of near-identical Cats. They
are petty burglars, very mischievous, and they enjoy causing trouble for human
families ("Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer").
Finally, the Jellicle patriarch, Old Deuteronomy, appears ("Old
Deuteronomy"). He is a large old Cat that "has lived many lives"
and "buried nine wives (And more, I am tempted to say—ninety-nine)".
He is the Cat who chooses which Jellicle Cat will go to the Heaviside Layer
every year. After rejoicing to their leader's arrival, the Cats put on a play
for Old Deuteronomy, called The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the
Pollicles. It is a story about two dog tribes clashing in the street and
subsequently being scared away by the Great Rumpus Cat, a cat with flashing red
eyes. After a moral from Old Deuteronomy about the destiny of Jellicle Cats and
Pollicle Dogs, a second loud crash, presumably from Macavity, sends the alarmed
Cats scurrying. Old Deuteronomy calls the Cats back and the main celebration
begins ("The Jellicle Ball"), in which the cats sing and display
their "Terpsichorean powers".
During the Ball, Grizabella reappears and tries to dance along, but her age
and decrepit condition prevent her from doing so. Once again, she is shunned by
the other Cats, but that does not stop her from singing a short version of
"Memory" while a guilty Old Deuteronomy looks on.
Act II - Why Will the Summer Day Delay — When
Will Time Flow Away?
After the Jellicle Ball, Old Deuteronomy complains about "what
happiness is", referring to Grizabella, but the Cats do not believe him,
so he sends the message to Jemima (or Sillabub, depending on the production),
the youngest of all Jellicles, who sings it in simpler terms ("The Moments
of Happiness"). Gus — short for Asparagus — shuffles forward ("Gus:
The Theatre Cat"). He was once a famous actor but is now old and
"suffers from palsy which makes his paws shake." He is accompanied by
Jellylorum, who tells of his exploits. Gus then remembers how he once played
the infamous Growltiger, the Terror of the Thames ("Growltiger's Last
Stand"). He tells the story about the pirate's romance with his
girlfriend, Lady Griddlebone, and how he was overtaken by the Siamese and
forced to walk the plank to his death.
Back in the present, after Gus exits, Skimbleshanks is seen sleeping in the
corner ("Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat"). He is the Cat who is
unofficially in charge of the night train to Glasgow. Skimbleshanks is
considered vital to the train, as without him "the train can't
start". Within his song, a whole steam train engine is assembled out of
objects in the junkyard: Various Cats spin wheels, hold up the structure, and
light the headlights.
With a third crash and an evil laugh, the "most wanted" cat
Macavity appears. He is a "master criminal" and is never found at the
scene of the crime. Macavity's minions throw a net over Old Deuteronomy and
capture him. As Munkustrap and his troops give chase to rescue Old Deuteronomy,
Demeter and Bombalurina explain what they know about Macavity ("Macavity:
The Mystery Cat"). When they are finished, Macavity returns disguised as
Old Deuteronomy, but when Demeter blows his cover, Macavity ends up fighting
with Munkustrap and Alonzo. Though the confused Macavity holds his own for a
time, the rest of the tribe begin to gang up and surround him, but he shorts
out the stage lights as an attempt to escape in the confusion.
After the fight, an honest Rum Tum Tugger suggests that the Cats should
find a local magician named Mr. Mistoffelees (also known as "the original
conjuring cat") for help ("Magical Mr. Mistoffelees"). According
to Tugger, Mr. Mistoffelees is small and black and can perform feats of magic
that no other Cat can do. Mr. Mistoffelees can also perform his own dance,
which is often one of the most intricate and challenging dance solos in the
show. As soon as he arrives just in time, the magical Cat restores the lights
and brings back Old Deuteronomy, and all the Cats hail him as their
emancipator. Now, the Jellicle Choice can be made.
After Old Deuteronomy sits down, Grizabella returns to the junkyard and he
allows her to address the gathering. Her faded appearance and lonely
disposition have little effect on her song ("Memory"). With
acceptance and encouragement from Jemima and Victoria, her appeal succeeds and
she is chosen to be the one to go to the Heaviside Layer and be reborn to a new
Jellicle life ("Journey to the Heaviside Layer"). A large tire rises
from the piles of junk, carrying Grizabella and Old Deuteronomy partway toward
the sky; he then steps off so she can finish the journey on her own. Finally,
Old Deuteronomy gives his closing speech to the human audience ("The
Ad-dressing of Cats") and the show comes to a close.
