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Cats

The Jellicle Cats, or simply the Jellicles, are felines belonging to a certain tribe in T. S. Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats from which is based Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical "CATS". The stage set is an oversized rubbish dump at night, where the Jellicle Cats have come out to play. Each cat possesses his/her own special powers and talents. "CATS" the musical introduces several additional characters—most notably Grizabella.

Introducing some of the Jellicles
Admetus, a young cat, who in many productions, also doubles as Macavity. Does not exist in every production.
Alonzo, a black and white tom in most productions. Often considered the 'second-hand-man' to Munkustrap.
Asparagus (nicknamed Gus) the theatre cat.
Bombalurina, a flirtatious 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".
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.
Cassandra, a brown and cream female, with a braided tail and rolled wig. Very unique and somewhat mysterious.
Coricopat, male twin to Tantomile. Both of them are intuitive or even psychic.
Demeter, is very skittish; 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. 
Ghengis or Gilbert, the leader of the crew of Siamese cats who lead to Growltiger's demise.
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 cat, and Growltiger's lover in "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".
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.
Jennyanydots, the old Gumbie cat. She sits all day and rules the mice and cockroaches at night.
Macavity typically depicted as a cat with a chaotic array of orange, white, and sharp black stripes. He often has very long claws and rather messed up hair.
The Magical Mr. Mistoffelees, a young tom capable of performing feats of magic and sleight of hand.
Mungojerrie, half of a pair of notorious "cat-burglars", Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer.
Munkustrap, A black and silver tom who is leader and protector of the Jellicle tribe, also considered the storyteller of the tribe.
Old Deuteronomy, the lovable patriarch of the Jellicle Tribe.
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.
Rum Tum Tugger, the ladies' tom. He is always flirtatious, and noticeable by his wild mane.
Rumpus Cat, the great spiky haired brave cat with glowing red eyes.
Skimbleshanks, the railway cat. An active orange tabby cat who lives on the trains, and acts as an unofficial chaperone.
Tantomile, the "Witch's Cat," female twin of Coricopat. Both of them are perceived as intuitive or even psychic.
Victoria, a white kitten extremely gifted in dancing. The "official" Jellicle Ball begins with her solo dance. At the end of the Ball, Old Deuteronomy, the leader of the cats, takes a selected cat to the Heaviside Layer (a sort of "cat-heaven").

The Creators of "CATS"
Poet - T.S. Eliot
Composer/Book/Co-Orchestrator - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Director -Trevor Nunn
Associate Director/Choreographer - Gillian Lynne
Costume and Set Designer - John Napier
Producers - Cameron Mackintosh, the Really Useful Company


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compiled for paws-on-floors.co.uk

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