Synopsis

Midnight. Not a sound from the pavement. Suddenly an explosion of music and lights reveals a larger-than-life junkyard. Probing car lights tear across the darkened landscape of bottles and boxes, briefly catching the darting image of a running feline. Tonight is the one special night each year when the tribe of Jellicle Cats reunites to celebrate who they are. They emerge signing of their unique abilities and traits.


(above: Demeter)

The cats are at first suspicious and reluctant to allow the audience into their domain. They are proud however, and in The Naming of the Cats explain to their human visitors who they are and reveal that cats have three different names: the one the family uses daily, a more dignified name and a secret name. It is the contemplation of these secret names which keeps felines deep in thought. Victoria, a young white cat, dances to signal The Invitation to the Jellicle Ball. Munkustrap, a gray tabby, explains that the Jellicle Cats meet once a year to rejoice! They are waiting for their leader, the wise Old Deuteronomy, who will choose which one of the Jellicle Cats will journey to the Heaviside Layer to be 'reborn' into a new life.


(above: Victoria doing her solo dance)

Jennyanydots, The Old Gumbie Cat, sleeps and lounges all day long. 'She sits and sits and sits and sits, and that's what makes a Gumbie Cat!' She teaches the mice how to sew and knit.

The Rum Tum Tugger is a playful prankster that the female cats find extremely attractive, and who enjoys being the center of attention. He is also stubborn and can't make up his mind whether he wants to go in or out, whether he wants pheasant or grouse.

Grizabella, The Glamour Cat, is shunned by the rest of the tribe despite being a Jellicle Cat. She left the tribe years ago to explore the outside world and now she wants to return.

(above: Grizabella the Glamour Cat)

Bustopher Jones is a large 'twenty-five pounder', always clad in his signature white spats. He spends his time eating, eating, and eating in one of many English pub and clubs he frequents.

Suddenly a thunderous crash, followed by the sound of police sirens and flashing red lights signals that villainous cat Macavitiy is on the loose! The cats scatter leaving an empty stage.

Two off-stage giggles signal the entrance of Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, a fun-loving, frolicking team of pranksters who are always getting in trouble whom they live.



(above: Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer during "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats")

The entire tribe re-enters as their benevolent and wise old leader Old Deuteronomy arrives. The Cats adore and respect him. And now that the Jellicle leader is here, Jellicle Cats can all rejoice!

They entertain him with a show that Munkustrap narrates, The Awful Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles together with The Marching Song of the Pollicles Dogs. The cats dress up as the two rival dog factions who bark ceaselessly at each other until they are frightened away by the great Rumpus Cat, a sleek and powerful feline.

Yet another crash from the villainous Macavity is heard, which sends the cats scurrying. Old Deuteronomy soothes them as they come back one by one. It is time for The Jellicle Ball, the great annual dance which all of the cats celebrate.

Grizabella appears once more wanting to rejoin her family and be a part of the celebration. She is left to contemplate her Memory of the time before she left the tribe. She stretches out her hand behind her, hoping another cat will touch her. She is still not accepted and, disappointed, slinks off into the night.

INTERVAL

After the Jellicle Ball, the cats rest and contemplate The Moments of Happiness before introducing more cats. Gus the Theatre Cat is an aged stage actor who worked with the greatest actors of his day. Gus tells of his greatest theatrical triumphs, and yearns to perform again. He begins to tell about how he once played Growltiger, a tough manly cat who is in love with the fluffy white cat Griddlebone. Growltiger gets in a fight with the leader of the Siamese cats, Genghis, and has to walk the plank. Griddlebone disappeared- he's sure she didn't drown.

     

(above: Griddlebone and Growltiger )

Skimbleshanks The Railway Cat. A friendly uncle to all of the cats, Skimbleshanks attends the trains he rides, and makes sure every detail is perfect.

A third crash interrupts the celebration, and this time the villainous Macavity appears. Two of his henchmen invade the proceedings and kidnap Old Deuteronomy. Demeter and Bombalurina sing what they know of Macavity, whose evil deeds have resulted in his being dubbed 'the Napoleon of crime.'

Macavity returns, disguised as Old Deuteronomy, but is exposed and battles Munkustrap and the other male cats. Tired and almost defeated, Macavity rigs up an electrical explosion that puts out all the lights leaving the Jellicles in the dark. But they still have to find Old Deuteronomy. The Rum Tum Tugger calls in Mr. Mistoffelees, the conjuring cat, to use his magical powers to bring back their leader. Mistoffelees succeeds in reinstating the lights, locating Old Deuteronomy, and showing off his magical tricks, including his famous conjuring turn.

At last the time has come for Old Deuteronomy to make the Jellicle Choice and decide which cat will be reborn into a new Jellicle life. At that moment, Grizabella reappears. Again she recalls her Memory of how things used to be. This time the cats accept her back into the tribe and it is she who is chosen to Journey to the Heaviside Layer and be reborn.

The Jellicle Ball has to come to a conclusion, but first Old Deuteronomy instructs the human spectators in the Addressing of Cats. For all their unique qualities and differences, he says, 'cats are very much like you'.