Note: Many of these techniques require at least a basic knowledge of both hand and machine sewing.
Unitards
Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of ways to get around this particular expense, since dancewear in general is quite expensive. It's very hard to find a unitard anywhere that doesn't cost at least $30 plus shipping, unless you happen to find one secondhand. However, you can shave a few dollars off the price by ordering a scoop neck uni instead of a mock turtleneck. Also, on some websites there's a price difference between cotton/lycra and nylon/lycra. Cotton/lycra breathes better, but nylon/lycra works just as well.
Dyeing your uni
There are various ways to color a unitard, none of them foolproof. If you want all-over color and can't find a uni in the color you want, washing-machine dye (such as RIT) works best. For patterns or stripes of color, you can find fabric markers at Hobby Lobby and other craft stores, but they don't come in a very wide variety of colors. (Alternatively, you could use Sharpies, but be warned that they are not necessarily as permanent as the company would have you believe.) If you use markers of any kind, be sure you put a piece of cardboard inside the uni before you start or the color will bleed through.
Incidentally, I don't recommend either spray paint or fabric paints such as Tulip, both because they look very cheap and because they change the texture of the fabric.
Tails
The best and quickest way to make a tail is to buy a marabou boa at a craft or costume shop, cut it to length, and (if necessary), spray paint it to correspond with your costume colors. If you want it to have the same swing as professional tails, sew a small washer or other small dense object to the end of the tail. You can then do one of two things - 1) Sew or pin the tail directly to your uni, or 2) attach it to a piece of decorative rope, such as upholstery trim, then pin it around your waist.
The other option, which is very time-consuming but probably much more realistic, is to make a yarn tail. Unfortunately, I've never done this myself, so I don't know how to go about doing it.
Note: If you use the marabou method, you can use the leftover bits of boa as shoulder or arm poufs – just figure out where you want to put them and stitch or hot-glue them into place. I recommend stitching – hot glue and feathers can create quite a disaster.
Wigs
This depends on the type of wig you want to make. I've made several kitten-type wigs out of yarn tufts (more on that later), but I've found that the yarn technique doesn't work as well for wigs with longer hair. For that, your best bet is probably to find a fairly inexpensive wig at a costume shop (rock star, Cruella DeVil and sports-fan wigs work particularly well for Cats) and trim it to the size and shape you want, then add colors if need be. Alternatively, you may be lucky enough to find a wig that already looks somewhat like a cat wig; I have a Dracula wig that actually works very well as a potential Mistoffelees or Munkustrap wig.
Making yarn wigs
Supplies: clean pair of neutral-colored stockings or tights
1 or more skeins of yarn in the color(s) you need
Needle
Neutral-colored thread
Scissors
Cardboard
1. Put the pair of stockings on your head, inside out. Make sure it covers your ears and extends slightly past your natural hairline.
2. Take the legs of the stockings and tie them in a double knot. The knot itself should be tight and secure, but leave some extra space at the back of your head; the cap will shrink slightly as the yarn tufts are added. (This also allows room for long hair, if you have it.)
3. Secure the knot by running five to ten stitches through the entire knot. Tie the thread off and cut it, then cut the legs off the stockings close to the knot.
4. Turn the stockings right side out. You now have a wig cap.
5. Select a color of yarn. I suggest starting at the front of the wig and working backwards.
6. Figure out how long you want your tuft of yarn to be, then cut a piece of cardboard a little over twice that length.
7. Wrap the yarn lengthwise around the cardboard until you have a clump of yarn about 1 to 1 ½ inches wide.
8. Slide the yarn off the cardboard, being careful to retain the loop shape. Cut a piece of yarn two to three inches long and tie it tightly around the middle of the clump of yarn.
9. Cut through the loops on either end of the bundle. You now have a bundle of loose yarn pieces. Take this bundle by the knot in the middle and pass it through the circle made by your finger and thumb; this makes sure all of the yarn ends are pointing in the same direction.
10. Depending on your preference, you may want to fray the yarn ends with a comb or by hand. For longer tufts, you’ll also want to spray them with hairspray or a glue/water solution so they hold their shape.
11. Sew the tuft onto the desired spot on the wig cap, anchoring it at the base where your knot is.
12. Repeat steps 5-11 with more tufts of yarn. Yes, this is a tedious process, but the end result is well worth it.
13. For ears, stop at step 9. You may want to use a thinner tuft for this – ½ inch instead of 1. Tie another pieces of yarn around the top of the tuft so it comes to a point, and press down slightly on the top. The result should be somewhat of a teardrop shape. Spray it with hairspray; you’ll have to hold the shape until it dries.
Accessories
Gloves
This depends on whether you are dressing as a male or female character. Male characters can use cheap knitted winter gloves, the kind that come in 3-packs at Wal-Mart and other department stores. The fingers or fingertips are usually cut off; if your character has more complex gloves, like Tugger, you can buy biker gloves at a place like Spencer’s, but this is expensive and isn’t necessary for a good costume.
Female characters get a bit more complicated. Usually, you will have to buy evening gloves and cut the fingers or fingertips off, but evening gloves are expensive, as well as hard to find outside of prom season. Alternatively, you can use my favorite cheap glove method:
1) Take the legs from a pair of stockings (if you want, you can use the ones you cut off of the wig cap) and cut them to about 12-14 inches, or use knee-highs. Leave the foot part intact.
2) Place one stocking on top of your left hand so that the end of the stocking is at the base of your fingers. Using a Wite-out or fabric pen, put a dot on the stocking at the base of each finger and the thumb.
3) Cut a small circle in the stocking (about ¼ inch) around the dots. Do not run the circles together.
4) Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the other hand. The gloves can now be slipped onto the hands.
Arm/legwarmers
The two best kinds of legwarmers (besides store-bought) are 1) knitted and 2) polar fleece. If you know how to knit (unlike me) or can find someone who will knit them for you, legwarmers are essentially yarn tubes or toeless socks; make sure they will fit you! The fleece method goes as follows:
1) Get two pieces of fleece in your color of choice that are about 2 feet square. (You can cut them to your desired length later.) Wrap one piece around your lower leg and pin it to fit.
2) With a sewing machine, stitch a seam about ½ inch away from the edges of the fabric, pulling out the pins as you go. Leave about 1- 1 ½ inches of unstitched fabric at the ankle end of the warmer.
3) If you want to hem the edges to make them look more professional, do this now: fold about ½ inch of of fabric outward and stitch it down very close to the edge of the fabric, being careful not to stitch through both sides of the legwarmer.
4) Turn the warmer right side out. You should now be able to slip it on your leg. If the bottom end is too narrow for your heel to slip through, turn the warmer inside out again, remove a few stitches, and backstitch several times over the end of the seam so it won’t unravel. Do this until you can fit your foot through.
This same technique works for armwarmers, except obviously you would pin the fabric to fit your arm instead of your leg, and you don’t have to leave any fabric open at the end of the seam.
Shoes
Once again, this depends on the kind of character you are planning to dress as; also on the circumstances in which you’ll be wearing your costume. If you are actually going to be in a performance of Cats, or even dancing a number or two, you’ll want to spring for a pair of dance shoes. Depending on the catalog you use, these can be expensive, but I’ve also seen ballet shoes available for about $14.
If you aren’t dancing – if the costume is for Halloween or cosplaying or something – girl characters can probably get away with plain-colored flats, providing they don’t have bows on them or anything. Guys, you will probably have to buy dance shoes no matter what, unless you are dressing like Tugger, in which case you can probably get away with wearing plain black sneakers or jazz sneakers.
Collars
Collars can come in many forms. Considering the recent punk/goth trend, it’s fairly easy to find studded collar-type chokers at such stores as Hot Topic or even Claire’s. They don’t even have to be spiked; female characters in particular can pretty much get away with any choker-type necklace that goes with their costume. For guys and girls alike, you can also buy actual dog collars for about $12 at pet store chains. They come in different sizes, so be sure you know it fits before you buy it.
Also, collars can be made by measuring out the right length of thick ribbon (3/4 to an inch wide), attaching Velcro to either end, and gluing on golf tees that are painted either gold or silver. (These are for characters with fairly extreme spikes, such as Tugger. Don’t use this method if you’re going to be dancing; those types of collars can be fairly dangerous in that situation.)
Remember, too – you don’t have to have a collar at all!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Website banners
All of these banners are made by me, and you are free to use them, but you must link back to me if you do. This is not an option. (And yes, I am aware that the last banner is entirely unrelated to Cats, but I'm proud of it, so it stays.)
Honourable Cat Names from A to Z
Having trouble thinking of a good name for your new kitten? Well, it's your lucky day! I've compiled a list of names from books, movies, others' websites, and my own imagination, that I think a cat could live with as a family name. You are free to use these names as characters in fanfiction EXCEPT if they are italicized, which means I or someone else is already using this character name. If you do decide to use one of my names in a fic, please let me know so that I can indicate that it is taken!
(Note: I realize that names gathered from literature and legend are available to the public and I do not have control over them. The rules above refer mainly to the names I have made up myself, although it would be nice to know if someone has gotten an idea from this list. It's an ego thing.)
Many of these names were taken from the Catfantastic books, A Constellation of Cats, Wicca terms and deities, the Great White Alta Saga, Marlfox and other Redwall books, the Enchanted Forest Chronicles, and Tailchaser’s Song. Also polytheistic legend, Lord of the Rings, historical figures, other musicals, that sort of thing.
A
Abaci
Aberlour
Abessinier
Acirema
Acironnea
Achilles
Adad
Adah
Adi
Adonis
Adraylo
Aelphaba
Aeolus
Aeva
Africa
Agate (taken by me)
Agni
Agrippina
Aida
Airyaman
Aker
Akeyla
Akinyi (taken by me)
Albion
Alenka
Aleta
Alexandria
Alianora
Allegro (taken by me)
Allmother
Alna
Alora
Alta
Althea
Amalda
Amaryllis
Amazon
Amber
Amethyst
Amici
Aming
Amon
Amphitrite (taken by Aevany Storm)
Anaitis
Anatta
Anicca
Ankh
Annuanna
Anshar
Antorell
Anubis
Anya
Ao Rue
Aphrodite
Apollo
Arachne
Aranea
Aren (or Eren) (taken by me)
Argentina
Ärger (taken by me)
Aristaeus
Aristotle
Arpeggio
Arrianrhod
Artemis
Arwen
Ascleptus
Ascrod
Asera
Asherali
Asoka
Astahazy
Astarte
Asthoreth
Astic
Astra
Astraea
Athena
Attis
Atum
Aura
Aurora
Awagati
Axidish
Ayesha
B
Baal
Baiame
Baldur
Balmerino
Bandyleg
Baron
Bartania
Basil
Bastet
Bast-Imret
Bavol
Bazal
Beau Thai
Bedoule
Beethoven
Beetleswat
Beijing
Belili
Belldancer
Bendis
Berlin
Berlioz
Bes
Bezique
Birjanji
Biryani
Bitefast
Blueback
Blue Haze
Boadicea
Bobweave
Bochica
Bodhi
Bojangles
Boublil
Boucca
Boudicca
Bradi
Bragi
Brightnail
Brindleside
Bristlejaw
Bruja
Brushstalker
Bryn
Bubastis
Buddha
Bulew
Burlash
C
Caesar
Cabaret
Calypso
Capricorn
Carhon
Carmenta
Cashmere
Cassiopiea
Catequil
Catrona
Celeste
Centeotle
Ceres
Cerridwen
Cetti
Chabreshea
Chac
Chaderin
Chaos
Chastity
Cherise
Chernobog
Cheyenne
Chiku
Chiquita
Chithit
Chloe
Chontile
Cihuatcoatl
Cimorene
Circe
Cleanwhisker
Clearsong
Cleopatra
Climbfast
Clotee
Cloudleaper
Combeferre
Consus
Cosette
Courfeyrac
Creirwy
Crushgrass
Crystakensa
Crystal
Cuchavira
Curio (taken by me)
Cybele
Cygnus
Cymru (pronounced kum-ree)
Cyrine
D
Daghda
Dagon
Daikoku
Dainichi
Dakin
Dala
Dandlegrass
Daphne
Dawnstar
Dayhunter
Dazhbog
Deathsong
Dew
Dewtreader
Dezi
Dharma (taken by me)
Diadem
Diavolo
Dimwood
Dolce
Domina
Donar
Donya
Dorian
Draco
Drop
Druid
Dumuzi
Dukkha
Duma
Dunyazad
Dyaus
Dysgu (duz-gee)
E
Earnotch
Earpoint
Eatbugs
Ebony
Echua
Ede
Egypt
Eira
Eldorado (Taken by me)
Elodea
Elphaba
Elrond
Emelyth
Emerald
Endu
Enigma
Enki
Enoil
Enroljas
Eostre
Eponine
Eres
Errata
Erzulie
Esala
Esmeralda
Espeseth
Estella
Esus
Eternima
Eternity
Evita
Exu
Eyeshimmer
Ezinma
F
Fabala
Fantine
Fantur
Fatima
Februa
Fela
Femi
Fencewalker
Fetrita
Feuilly
Finpik
Fiona
Firecat
Firefoot
Firsa
Fiyero
Flamenco
Fleetpaw
Fleur
Flickerswift
Fomagata
Fortuna
Freya/Frija
Fritti
Fugea
Fukurukuju
Furscuff
G
Gabiz
Gaea
Gael
Gahanan
Galadriel
Galileo
Galinda
Gallico
Gandalf
Gandhi
Garnet
Gatao
Gautama
Gavroche
Gelltor
Gemini
Geronimo
Gesundheit (Taken by me)
Gimle
Ginglin
Glideswallow
Glimmer
Glitterfur
Godiva
Goldeneye
Goldstone
Goliath
Gothel
Grantaire
Grassnestle
Graywhisker
Grizraz
Grospar
Gryffin
Guinevere
Gurgi
Gyara
Gypsum
H
Hallana
Hangbelly
Hannibal
Harar
Hasheptiri
Hathor
Hatshepsut
Haze
Hematite
Hepzibah
Hera
Hermes
Hermia
Higan
Hija
Hissblood
Horatio
Howlsong
Huma
Hushpad
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Hyogo
I
Iliad
Ilyana
Impeza
Indez
Inez
Iris
Isabelle
Isis (taken by me)
Isolf
Ivanhoe
Iyana
J
Jacqueline
Jade
Jadelynn
Jagularr
Jahaad
Jang-Hi
Jaqua
Jariel
Jasses
Javert
Jayaraja
Jeopard
Jezebel
Jo-An-Enna
Jolt
Jouet
Joysewel
Jumptall
K
Kadreen
Kajenka
Kala
Kaleetay
Kali
Kalika
Kaneel
Karma (Taken by me)
Karnumar
Karthwine
Kasi
Katha
Kathina
Kavida
Keo
Keredwel
Ketchet
Keziah
Kika
Kisa
Kischa
Kinkin
Knet-Makri
Kohalpur
Koko
Kona-Lehna
Konjau
Kotaki
Krishna
Kristall
Kuan
Kublai (taken by me)
Kyrie
L
Laertes
Laila
Lalsim
Lantur
Larytwa
Lasseea
Laterose
Leafrustle
Lebeyung
Lebi
Leia
Lei-Kung
Legolas
Lemsia
Lesgiles
Leyna
Liberty
Light
Ling Mei
Lipema
Liyah (taken by me)
Loet
Longtooth
Lotus
Lungeclaw
Lydell
Lydian
Lylabell
Lynley
M
Macbeth
Magandaka
Magdeleine
Magnificat
Magnolia
Mako
Malachi
Malinki
Malousak
Mandala
Marga
Marina
Marius
Marjo
Markob
Marna
Maruja
Masai
Matayana
Matreia
Mawr
Meerclar
Mei
Mei-Chou
Melisande
Mendanbar
Michabe
Mih-Keh
Miko
Minx
Mistice
Mistique
Mohan
Mokkan
Molypsy
Monsoon
Montparnasse
Moonflower
Moonraker
Moonstalk
Mordred
Morgan Le Fay
Morningstripe
Morwen
Mudtracker
Mu Mao
Myst
Mystery
N
Naramist
Nefertiti
Nightcatcher
Nighteyes
Nikeline
Nimbus
Ninebirds
Nipslither
Nirvana
Noir
Nosferatu
Nuzzledark
O
Oahu
Oberon
Obon
Oceana
Okesa
Olympia
Opal
Orion
Osiris
P
Pali
Palvjia
Pandai
Papillon
Papurau
Paquita
Pari
Parthia
Pawgentle
Pawgrip
Perahara
Periwinkle
Perrier
Peryorisia
Petra
Phantom
Pharaoh
Phineas
Phulan
Pilsa
Poinsettia
Pokesnout
Poseidon
Poson
Poulaque
Pouncequick
Predak
Prometheus
Prosh
Prosozia
Psi (taken by me)
Pua
Purohit
Purowa
Q
Qanda
Qualin
Quartz
Quaxo
Queenswild
Quicksilver
Quincunx
Quiverclaw
Quorum
Qwenalora
Qwilleran
R
Ragweed
Raku
Rameses
Rasidan
Rasputin
Raven
Razzamatazz
Redlegs
Rejuta
Riovista
Riptalon
Risingstar
Romeo
Roofshadow
Rumblepurr
Rune
S
Saab
Saber
Saberleo
Sadi
Sahara
Sambora
Samhain (pronounced Sa-wan)
Samsara
Sammor
Sangha
Sapphire
Sari
Saruman
Satinear
Sayah
Scarlett
Schubert
Scorn
Scorpio
Scratchnail
Scuffledig
Seawitch
Sekhmet
Selinda
Selna
Semnet
Serafina
Serena
Shade
Shado
Shadrach
Shanghai
Shaniat
Shantung
Sheba
Shenicat (taken by me)
Shera
Shey
Shimazaki
Shinji
Shobi
Shondale
Shredfang
Shula
Shulasmith
Silhouette (taken by me)
Silth
Sinh
Siya
Skydancer
Skyla
Skystone
Sleekheart
Slitbelly
Snagrat
Snapdragon
Snapjaw
Snaremouse
Snarlad
Snifflick
Snoutscar
Snufflenose
Socrates
Softwhisker
Song
Songkran
Soiree
Solange (can be pronounced either so-lanzh or so - lahng - eh)
Sorrel
Sorvinus
Souci
Sphynx
Stardust
Stargazer
Starlett
Starlight
Starsong
Storm
Stretchslow
Stupa
Subhash
Subira
Sulekha
Sulu
Sundancer
Sunspot
Superstar
Synge
T
Tailchaser
Taj Mahal
Talisman
Tanamara
Tangaloor
Tansy
Tao
Tarberry
Taro
Taurus
Tawser
Teinspritz
Telemain
Tempest
Thenardier
Theravada
Thinbone
Thistle
Thoth
Tigereye
Tiglo
Timari
Timmiswara
Tipitaka
Tirya
Tirysthenes
Tobal
Tonikka
Tonochpa
Topanga
Toulous
Treesinger
Troiana
Tsarmina
Tutankhamen
Twilight
Twitchnose
Tybalt
U
Umbir
Uwila
V
Vaisakha
Valjean
Vannan
Vasco
Veerle
Venice
Venus
Verdi
Viror
Vispetta
Voldemort
W
Waikiki
Wanderlust
Wesak
Whitewind
Windcatcher
Windsong
Windstorm
Winfo
Wisp
Wordsworth
Wraith
X
Xaphan (Taken by me)
Xena
Xerxes
Y
Yarrow
Yentantethra
Yzella
Z
Zemenar
Zeno
Zephyr
Zeus
Zimbi
Zinfer
Ziral
Zizi
Zo
Zoltan
Zuleika
Zultora
Currently listening to: "Ebudae", Enya
(Note: I realize that names gathered from literature and legend are available to the public and I do not have control over them. The rules above refer mainly to the names I have made up myself, although it would be nice to know if someone has gotten an idea from this list. It's an ego thing.)
Many of these names were taken from the Catfantastic books, A Constellation of Cats, Wicca terms and deities, the Great White Alta Saga, Marlfox and other Redwall books, the Enchanted Forest Chronicles, and Tailchaser’s Song. Also polytheistic legend, Lord of the Rings, historical figures, other musicals, that sort of thing.
A
Abaci
Aberlour
Abessinier
Acirema
Acironnea
Achilles
Adad
Adah
Adi
Adonis
Adraylo
Aelphaba
Aeolus
Aeva
Africa
Agate (taken by me)
Agni
Agrippina
Aida
Airyaman
Aker
Akeyla
Akinyi (taken by me)
Albion
Alenka
Aleta
Alexandria
Alianora
Allegro (taken by me)
Allmother
Alna
Alora
Alta
Althea
Amalda
Amaryllis
Amazon
Amber
Amethyst
Amici
Aming
Amon
Amphitrite (taken by Aevany Storm)
Anaitis
Anatta
Anicca
Ankh
Annuanna
Anshar
Antorell
Anubis
Anya
Ao Rue
Aphrodite
Apollo
Arachne
Aranea
Aren (or Eren) (taken by me)
Argentina
Ärger (taken by me)
Aristaeus
Aristotle
Arpeggio
Arrianrhod
Artemis
Arwen
Ascleptus
Ascrod
Asera
Asherali
Asoka
Astahazy
Astarte
Asthoreth
Astic
Astra
Astraea
Athena
Attis
Atum
Aura
Aurora
Awagati
Axidish
Ayesha
B
Baal
Baiame
Baldur
Balmerino
Bandyleg
Baron
Bartania
Basil
Bastet
Bast-Imret
Bavol
Bazal
Beau Thai
Bedoule
Beethoven
Beetleswat
Beijing
Belili
Belldancer
Bendis
Berlin
Berlioz
Bes
Bezique
Birjanji
Biryani
Bitefast
Blueback
Blue Haze
Boadicea
Bobweave
Bochica
Bodhi
Bojangles
Boublil
Boucca
Boudicca
Bradi
Bragi
Brightnail
Brindleside
Bristlejaw
Bruja
Brushstalker
Bryn
Bubastis
Buddha
Bulew
Burlash
C
Caesar
Cabaret
Calypso
Capricorn
Carhon
Carmenta
Cashmere
Cassiopiea
Catequil
Catrona
Celeste
Centeotle
Ceres
Cerridwen
Cetti
Chabreshea
Chac
Chaderin
Chaos
Chastity
Cherise
Chernobog
Cheyenne
Chiku
Chiquita
Chithit
Chloe
Chontile
Cihuatcoatl
Cimorene
Circe
Cleanwhisker
Clearsong
Cleopatra
Climbfast
Clotee
Cloudleaper
Combeferre
Consus
Cosette
Courfeyrac
Creirwy
Crushgrass
Crystakensa
Crystal
Cuchavira
Curio (taken by me)
Cybele
Cygnus
Cymru (pronounced kum-ree)
Cyrine
D
Daghda
Dagon
Daikoku
Dainichi
Dakin
Dala
Dandlegrass
Daphne
Dawnstar
Dayhunter
Dazhbog
Deathsong
Dew
Dewtreader
Dezi
Dharma (taken by me)
Diadem
Diavolo
Dimwood
Dolce
Domina
Donar
Donya
Dorian
Draco
Drop
Druid
Dumuzi
Dukkha
Duma
Dunyazad
Dyaus
Dysgu (duz-gee)
E
Earnotch
Earpoint
Eatbugs
Ebony
Echua
Ede
Egypt
Eira
Eldorado (Taken by me)
Elodea
Elphaba
Elrond
Emelyth
Emerald
Endu
Enigma
Enki
Enoil
Enroljas
Eostre
Eponine
Eres
Errata
Erzulie
Esala
Esmeralda
Espeseth
Estella
Esus
Eternima
Eternity
Evita
Exu
Eyeshimmer
Ezinma
F
Fabala
Fantine
Fantur
Fatima
Februa
Fela
Femi
Fencewalker
Fetrita
Feuilly
Finpik
Fiona
Firecat
Firefoot
Firsa
Fiyero
Flamenco
Fleetpaw
Fleur
Flickerswift
Fomagata
Fortuna
Freya/Frija
Fritti
Fugea
Fukurukuju
Furscuff
G
Gabiz
Gaea
Gael
Gahanan
Galadriel
Galileo
Galinda
Gallico
Gandalf
Gandhi
Garnet
Gatao
Gautama
Gavroche
Gelltor
Gemini
Geronimo
Gesundheit (Taken by me)
Gimle
Ginglin
Glideswallow
Glimmer
Glitterfur
Godiva
Goldeneye
Goldstone
Goliath
Gothel
Grantaire
Grassnestle
Graywhisker
Grizraz
Grospar
Gryffin
Guinevere
Gurgi
Gyara
Gypsum
H
Hallana
Hangbelly
Hannibal
Harar
Hasheptiri
Hathor
Hatshepsut
Haze
Hematite
Hepzibah
Hera
Hermes
Hermia
Higan
Hija
Hissblood
Horatio
Howlsong
Huma
Hushpad
Hyacinth
Hydrangea
Hyogo
I
Iliad
Ilyana
Impeza
Indez
Inez
Iris
Isabelle
Isis (taken by me)
Isolf
Ivanhoe
Iyana
J
Jacqueline
Jade
Jadelynn
Jagularr
Jahaad
Jang-Hi
Jaqua
Jariel
Jasses
Javert
Jayaraja
Jeopard
Jezebel
Jo-An-Enna
Jolt
Jouet
Joysewel
Jumptall
K
Kadreen
Kajenka
Kala
Kaleetay
Kali
Kalika
Kaneel
Karma (Taken by me)
Karnumar
Karthwine
Kasi
Katha
Kathina
Kavida
Keo
Keredwel
Ketchet
Keziah
Kika
Kisa
Kischa
Kinkin
Knet-Makri
Kohalpur
Koko
Kona-Lehna
Konjau
Kotaki
Krishna
Kristall
Kuan
Kublai (taken by me)
Kyrie
L
Laertes
Laila
Lalsim
Lantur
Larytwa
Lasseea
Laterose
Leafrustle
Lebeyung
Lebi
Leia
Lei-Kung
Legolas
Lemsia
Lesgiles
Leyna
Liberty
Light
Ling Mei
Lipema
Liyah (taken by me)
Loet
Longtooth
Lotus
Lungeclaw
Lydell
Lydian
Lylabell
Lynley
M
Macbeth
Magandaka
Magdeleine
Magnificat
Magnolia
Mako
Malachi
Malinki
Malousak
Mandala
Marga
Marina
Marius
Marjo
Markob
Marna
Maruja
Masai
Matayana
Matreia
Mawr
Meerclar
Mei
Mei-Chou
Melisande
Mendanbar
Michabe
Mih-Keh
Miko
Minx
Mistice
Mistique
Mohan
Mokkan
Molypsy
Monsoon
Montparnasse
Moonflower
Moonraker
Moonstalk
Mordred
Morgan Le Fay
Morningstripe
Morwen
Mudtracker
Mu Mao
Myst
Mystery
N
Naramist
Nefertiti
Nightcatcher
Nighteyes
Nikeline
Nimbus
Ninebirds
Nipslither
Nirvana
Noir
Nosferatu
Nuzzledark
O
Oahu
Oberon
Obon
Oceana
Okesa
Olympia
Opal
Orion
Osiris
P
Pali
Palvjia
Pandai
Papillon
Papurau
Paquita
Pari
Parthia
Pawgentle
Pawgrip
Perahara
Periwinkle
Perrier
Peryorisia
Petra
Phantom
Pharaoh
Phineas
Phulan
Pilsa
Poinsettia
Pokesnout
Poseidon
Poson
Poulaque
Pouncequick
Predak
Prometheus
Prosh
Prosozia
Psi (taken by me)
Pua
Purohit
Purowa
Q
Qanda
Qualin
Quartz
Quaxo
Queenswild
Quicksilver
Quincunx
Quiverclaw
Quorum
Qwenalora
Qwilleran
R
Ragweed
Raku
Rameses
Rasidan
Rasputin
Raven
Razzamatazz
Redlegs
Rejuta
Riovista
Riptalon
Risingstar
Romeo
Roofshadow
Rumblepurr
Rune
S
Saab
Saber
Saberleo
Sadi
Sahara
Sambora
Samhain (pronounced Sa-wan)
Samsara
Sammor
Sangha
Sapphire
Sari
Saruman
Satinear
Sayah
Scarlett
Schubert
Scorn
Scorpio
Scratchnail
Scuffledig
Seawitch
Sekhmet
Selinda
Selna
Semnet
Serafina
Serena
Shade
Shado
Shadrach
Shanghai
Shaniat
Shantung
Sheba
Shenicat (taken by me)
Shera
Shey
Shimazaki
Shinji
Shobi
Shondale
Shredfang
Shula
Shulasmith
Silhouette (taken by me)
Silth
Sinh
Siya
Skydancer
Skyla
Skystone
Sleekheart
Slitbelly
Snagrat
Snapdragon
Snapjaw
Snaremouse
Snarlad
Snifflick
Snoutscar
Snufflenose
Socrates
Softwhisker
Song
Songkran
Soiree
Solange (can be pronounced either so-lanzh or so - lahng - eh)
Sorrel
Sorvinus
Souci
Sphynx
Stardust
Stargazer
Starlett
Starlight
Starsong
Storm
Stretchslow
Stupa
Subhash
Subira
Sulekha
Sulu
Sundancer
Sunspot
Superstar
Synge
T
Tailchaser
Taj Mahal
Talisman
Tanamara
Tangaloor
Tansy
Tao
Tarberry
Taro
Taurus
Tawser
Teinspritz
Telemain
Tempest
Thenardier
Theravada
Thinbone
Thistle
Thoth
Tigereye
Tiglo
Timari
Timmiswara
Tipitaka
Tirya
Tirysthenes
Tobal
Tonikka
Tonochpa
Topanga
Toulous
Treesinger
Troiana
Tsarmina
Tutankhamen
Twilight
Twitchnose
Tybalt
U
Umbir
Uwila
V
Vaisakha
Valjean
Vannan
Vasco
Veerle
Venice
Venus
Verdi
Viror
Vispetta
Voldemort
W
Waikiki
Wanderlust
Wesak
Whitewind
Windcatcher
Windsong
Windstorm
Winfo
Wisp
Wordsworth
Wraith
X
Xaphan (Taken by me)
Xena
Xerxes
Y
Yarrow
Yentantethra
Yzella
Z
Zemenar
Zeno
Zephyr
Zeus
Zimbi
Zinfer
Ziral
Zizi
Zo
Zoltan
Zuleika
Zultora
Currently listening to: "Ebudae", Enya
Monday, May 12, 2008
Cats in the movies part I - Labyrinth
For this, I've used my extensive collection of screenshots (both gathered myself and collected from other sites) to find the perfect expressions, then used these screenshots to illustrate movie scenes - in this case, the Helping Hands scene from Labyrinth.
"Help! HELP!!!"
"What do you mean, 'help'? We are helping."
"We're helping hands."
"You're hurting!"
"Would you like us to let go?"
"NO!!"
"Well then, come on, which way?"
"...Which way?"
"Up..."
"...or down?"
"Oh."
"Come on, come on, we haven't got all day."
"Well, it's a big decision for her."
"Which way do you want to go, hmm?"
"Well, since I'm pointed that way, I guess I'll go down."
"Was that wrong??"
"Too late now...
Currently listening to: "Breaking Up the Girl", Garbage
"Help! HELP!!!"
"What do you mean, 'help'? We are helping."
"We're helping hands."
"You're hurting!"
"Would you like us to let go?"
"NO!!"
"Well then, come on, which way?"
"...Which way?"
"Up..."
"...or down?"
"Oh."
"Come on, come on, we haven't got all day."
"Well, it's a big decision for her."
"Which way do you want to go, hmm?"
"Well, since I'm pointed that way, I guess I'll go down."
"Oooh, she chose down!"
"She chose down? HA HA HA!"
"Was that wrong??"
"Too late now...
Currently listening to: "Breaking Up the Girl", Garbage
Cats Dolls
I went through this stage a few years ago when I was just mad about virtual dolls. These are the ones I made during that time.
Currently listening to: "Fadograph of a Yestern Scene", New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
Currently listening to: "Fadograph of a Yestern Scene", New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
CATS Around the World
This is a list of what the characters are called in various countries. The information was gathered from several sites that are now defunct.
Alonzo: Holland - Sambal
Norway - Jubalong
Finland - Cattivo
Japan - Rumpus Cat
Bombalurina: Holland - Bomballerien
Denmark - Bomfallerina
Finland - Tuijallerina
Bustopher Jones: Holland - Ghiselbert Smit
Hamburg - Bustopher Mürr
Norway - Bastian Bull
Sweden - Adlige Karl
Denmark - Baltazar Bom
Poland - Bywalec
Hungary - Gastrofar George
Mexico - Gordocles Cruz
Argentina - Macoco Cue
Finland - Kerhonen B.
Cassandra : Finland - Kissantra
Norway - Merade- Coricompas
Hungary - Koricipat
Poland - Tymoteusz
Coricopat: Holland - Wageschrek
Demeter: Mexico - Demetria
Japan: Dimiita
Norway: Halmetra
Sweden - Jokaste
Hungary - Lengelingéla
Electra: Sweden - Pussine
Norway - Sparetta
Etcetera: Norway: Pusine
China: Āitékètélā
Korea: Eiotektera
Mexico: Mirza
Poland - I Tak Daley
George: Helsinki - Yrjö
Oslo - Flattpott
Ghengis: London - Gilbert (this was actually the original name of the character)
Holland - Djangis
Hamburg - Dschingis
Norway - Tarsan
Finland - Hongbong
Griddlebone: France - Chatelune
Holland - Gillebeen
Mexico/Argentina - Golfetriz
Norway - Grillebein
Hungary - Nemildom
Finland - Lady Kylkiluu
Denmark - Sildeben
Sweden - Silkesben
Grizabella: Norway - Siam-Ella
Sweden - Mirabella
Finland - Misabella
Growltiger: Holland - Snauwtijger
France - Matamore
Norway - Brummetiger
Hungary - MacDouglas
Denmark - Grumtiger
Sweden - Morrtiger
Finland - Murr-Roope
Mexico/Argentina - Tigrunon
Gus: Norway - Teaterkatten Gess
Jellicle: Norway - Sjellikar
France - Jalupate
Jellylorum: Holland - Antimakassa
Mexico/Argentina - Agilorum
Poland - Galaretka
Denmark - Hokus Pokus (seemed like they named the wrong cat there...)
Finland - Jellimaari
Norway - Jadakaat
Jennyanydots: France - Amelie Ron Ron
Holland - Stijfselkat , also Spikkelpikkelmies
Norway - Annepanneflek
Finland - Annu Pannanunen
Mexico/Argentina - Bombachona
Hungary - Gimb-Goemb
Denmark - Tulle Tusindplet
Sweden - Vickiprickitass
Macavity: Holland - Van Zonderen
Norway - Makkentoss
Poland - Makiawel
Mexico/Argentina - Nefastulo
Hungary - Sam Mitsegél
Mistoffelees: Holland - Doktor Diavalo
Norway - Meister Metrøffelis
Sweden - Filurifax
Mexico/Argentina - Micifustófeles
Poland - Mefistofeliks
Hungary - Mefisztulész
Mungojerrie: Holland - Lorrenjopie
Norway - Burmaharry
Denmark - Burma Charlie
Hungary - Ben Mickering
Argentina/Mexico - Pingurriento
Sweden - Gyklarjerri
Finland - Jengamurri
Munkustrap: Holland - Snorrescha
Denmark - Rumleskaft
Japan - Mankusutorappu
Finland - Munkossun
Poland - Myszoslap
Old Deuteronomy: France - Vieux Mathusalem
Holland - Oom Deuteromium
Norway - Gamle Profetikus
Mexico/Argentina - Gatusalem
Poland - Kot Nestor
Hungary - Old Csendbelenn
Pouncival: Denmark - Parcival
Quaxo: Poland - Dysio
Finland - Kakskuu
Norway - Kvakskorr
Denmark - Xinix
Rumpleteazer: Holland - Scharrelnelis
Mexico - Rompetrizas
Norway - Rampentussa
Hungary - Mindleveri
Poland - Pumpernikiel (okay...Rumpelteazer bread?)
Sweden - Rumpenstumpen
Finland - Rämppätintti
Denmark - Salto Sally (I believe this means "Somersault Sally")
Rumpus Cat: France - Chat Rivari
Holland - Branie Kat
Germany/Austria - Kater Rum-Pum
Norway - Ron Røvarkatt
Denmark - Rufuskat
Sweden - Slim Slagsmålskatt
Finland - Rampokissa
Rum Tum Tugger: France - Rocky Tam Tam
Holland - Tuk Stuk Rukker
Mexico/Argentina - Pon Roc Terco
Japan - Ramu Tamu Tagaa (that one cracks me up)
Portugal - Ram Tam Trassel
Norway - Rom Tom Tapper
Denmark - Rabalder Rocco
Finland - Runntunnranttu
Sillabub/Jemima: Holland - Sylvani
Norway - Mjau (It means meow! Isn’t that the cutest? >^oo^<)
Poland - Promiczek
Skimbleshanks: Norway - Lokosjekk
Denmark - Abelkouw
France - Edgar (...okay...any particular reason for that one?)
Hungary - Elvis Trén
Mexico/Argentina - Mirringo
Poland - Semaforro
Sweden - Skrammelskank
Denmark - Snurre Tom
Finland - Toppa-Roy
Tantomile: Norway - Hurralia
Poland - Tamtamila
Denmark - Mijlenschrok
Finland - Kermaviili
Tumblebrutus: London - Bill Bailey
Poland - Klaps Raptus Zuch
Finland - Rymy-Edward
Victor: Norway - Kvasaru
Victoria: Norway - Kvitlinga
Finland - Eläkööli
Currently listening to: "Tell Me On a Sunday", Michael Crawford
Alonzo: Holland - Sambal
Norway - Jubalong
Finland - Cattivo
Japan - Rumpus Cat
Bombalurina: Holland - Bomballerien
Denmark - Bomfallerina
Finland - Tuijallerina
Bustopher Jones: Holland - Ghiselbert Smit
Hamburg - Bustopher Mürr
Norway - Bastian Bull
Sweden - Adlige Karl
Denmark - Baltazar Bom
Poland - Bywalec
Hungary - Gastrofar George
Mexico - Gordocles Cruz
Argentina - Macoco Cue
Finland - Kerhonen B.
Cassandra : Finland - Kissantra
Norway - Merade- Coricompas
Hungary - Koricipat
Poland - Tymoteusz
Coricopat: Holland - Wageschrek
Demeter: Mexico - Demetria
Japan: Dimiita
Norway: Halmetra
Sweden - Jokaste
Hungary - Lengelingéla
Electra: Sweden - Pussine
Norway - Sparetta
Etcetera: Norway: Pusine
China: Āitékètélā
Korea: Eiotektera
Mexico: Mirza
Poland - I Tak Daley
George: Helsinki - Yrjö
Oslo - Flattpott
Ghengis: London - Gilbert (this was actually the original name of the character)
Holland - Djangis
Hamburg - Dschingis
Norway - Tarsan
Finland - Hongbong
Griddlebone: France - Chatelune
Holland - Gillebeen
Mexico/Argentina - Golfetriz
Norway - Grillebein
Hungary - Nemildom
Finland - Lady Kylkiluu
Denmark - Sildeben
Sweden - Silkesben
Grizabella: Norway - Siam-Ella
Sweden - Mirabella
Finland - Misabella
Growltiger: Holland - Snauwtijger
France - Matamore
Norway - Brummetiger
Hungary - MacDouglas
Denmark - Grumtiger
Sweden - Morrtiger
Finland - Murr-Roope
Mexico/Argentina - Tigrunon
Gus: Norway - Teaterkatten Gess
Jellicle: Norway - Sjellikar
France - Jalupate
Jellylorum: Holland - Antimakassa
Mexico/Argentina - Agilorum
Poland - Galaretka
Denmark - Hokus Pokus (seemed like they named the wrong cat there...)
Finland - Jellimaari
Norway - Jadakaat
Jennyanydots: France - Amelie Ron Ron
Holland - Stijfselkat , also Spikkelpikkelmies
Norway - Annepanneflek
Finland - Annu Pannanunen
Mexico/Argentina - Bombachona
Hungary - Gimb-Goemb
Denmark - Tulle Tusindplet
Sweden - Vickiprickitass
Macavity: Holland - Van Zonderen
Norway - Makkentoss
Poland - Makiawel
Mexico/Argentina - Nefastulo
Hungary - Sam Mitsegél
Mistoffelees: Holland - Doktor Diavalo
Norway - Meister Metrøffelis
Sweden - Filurifax
Mexico/Argentina - Micifustófeles
Poland - Mefistofeliks
Hungary - Mefisztulész
Mungojerrie: Holland - Lorrenjopie
Norway - Burmaharry
Denmark - Burma Charlie
Hungary - Ben Mickering
Argentina/Mexico - Pingurriento
Sweden - Gyklarjerri
Finland - Jengamurri
Munkustrap: Holland - Snorrescha
Denmark - Rumleskaft
Japan - Mankusutorappu
Finland - Munkossun
Poland - Myszoslap
Old Deuteronomy: France - Vieux Mathusalem
Holland - Oom Deuteromium
Norway - Gamle Profetikus
Mexico/Argentina - Gatusalem
Poland - Kot Nestor
Hungary - Old Csendbelenn
Pouncival: Denmark - Parcival
Quaxo: Poland - Dysio
Finland - Kakskuu
Norway - Kvakskorr
Denmark - Xinix
Rumpleteazer: Holland - Scharrelnelis
Mexico - Rompetrizas
Norway - Rampentussa
Hungary - Mindleveri
Poland - Pumpernikiel (okay...Rumpelteazer bread?)
Sweden - Rumpenstumpen
Finland - Rämppätintti
Denmark - Salto Sally (I believe this means "Somersault Sally")
Rumpus Cat: France - Chat Rivari
Holland - Branie Kat
Germany/Austria - Kater Rum-Pum
Norway - Ron Røvarkatt
Denmark - Rufuskat
Sweden - Slim Slagsmålskatt
Finland - Rampokissa
Rum Tum Tugger: France - Rocky Tam Tam
Holland - Tuk Stuk Rukker
Mexico/Argentina - Pon Roc Terco
Japan - Ramu Tamu Tagaa (that one cracks me up)
Portugal - Ram Tam Trassel
Norway - Rom Tom Tapper
Denmark - Rabalder Rocco
Finland - Runntunnranttu
Sillabub/Jemima: Holland - Sylvani
Norway - Mjau (It means meow! Isn’t that the cutest? >^oo^<)
Poland - Promiczek
Skimbleshanks: Norway - Lokosjekk
Denmark - Abelkouw
France - Edgar (...okay...any particular reason for that one?)
Hungary - Elvis Trén
Mexico/Argentina - Mirringo
Poland - Semaforro
Sweden - Skrammelskank
Denmark - Snurre Tom
Finland - Toppa-Roy
Tantomile: Norway - Hurralia
Poland - Tamtamila
Denmark - Mijlenschrok
Finland - Kermaviili
Tumblebrutus: London - Bill Bailey
Poland - Klaps Raptus Zuch
Finland - Rymy-Edward
Victor: Norway - Kvasaru
Victoria: Norway - Kvitlinga
Finland - Eläkööli
Currently listening to: "Tell Me On a Sunday", Michael Crawford
Bloopers and continuity issues
True Cats fans can point out every place in the movie where the editors screwed up, or just funny things in the background that aren't necessarily bloopers.
During the last chorus of Macavity, the last time all the queens shout at the end, Demeter makes a weird face.
The camera shakes a little when it's zooming in on Munkustrap and Tugger during "Old Deuteronomy".
Exotica keeps switching costumes during "Skimbleshanks", from her original brown unitard to a gray one with more texture.
When Munkustrap is greeting everyone before the "Gumbie Cat" number, as he's rubbing heads with Alonzo, Cassandra's hand is sticking into the frame, but he's completely ignoring it.
At the end of "Old Deuteronomy", when Old D starts singing, he's out of time to the music.
The wire that works Rumpuscat's hair is incredibly obvious.
Cassandra appears to change her eye color. Does she wear contacts or is it a lighting thing?
After "Macavity" when everyone comes running onstage, Jellylorum comes in from stage right and falls smack on her butt.
Tugger says SOMETHING to Grizabella at the beginning of her first song (and even though it's under dispute at the moment, I can't say what most fans think it is.)
Right after Munku says "...happened to meet," during "Pekes and the Pollicles", he pulls up his arm warmer.
During "Skimbleshanks", right after he says "...to catch a flea", Cassandra pretends to pick a flea off of Tumblebrutus.
At the beginning of "Pekes and the Pollicles", there's a random item left out in the middle of the dance floor. Electra retrieves it.
Right before "It was very pleasant..." during "Skimbleshanks", Cassandra picks her tail from between her legs.
When Jenny says, "Just need employment," during her song, one of her top buttons has come undone; in the next shot it's fastened again.
Jemima puts her mouse mask on wrong and has to try again.
During "Pekes and Pollicles" when Tugger first comes out with the bagpipes, he runs past Misto and knocks the bag off his hand, which flies onto center stage. Then the Poms come out and start kicking it around, and Misto is sitting off to the side trying to slap his forehead, but since he's wearing a shoe on his head, the shoe gets slapped instead. This takes a sharp eye!
At the end of "Skimbleshanks", when the train is falling apart, in one shot Pouncival is fooling around with an umbrella, opening and closing it; in the next shot the umbrella is closed and on the floor and Pouncival is in a different spot.
Right when Tugger first comes onstage during his number, Munkustrap turns his head too fast and a glob of spit flies out of his mouth.
Jellylorum almost falls forward during the tap number in "Gumbie Cat".
When Etcetera is on the trapeze you can see someone's hand pushing her.
During "Naming of Cats" when the camera zooms in on Plato, you can see where his wig attaches to his head.
During "Skimbleshanks", Jemima looks as if she's not quite sure on the moves; she's a split second behind everyone else and seems tentative.
During "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats", when they're all in a pyramid and the camera goes by Tugger, you can see the snaps used to secure the ruff.
In some shots during "Pekes and the Pollicles", Victoria is played by Jo Bingham (Etcetera) instead of the usual actress, Phyllida Crowley-Smith.
During "Gus", Jellylorum's wig has a flyaway.
Currently listening to: "Stranger In Paradise", Sarah Brightman
During the last chorus of Macavity, the last time all the queens shout at the end, Demeter makes a weird face.
The camera shakes a little when it's zooming in on Munkustrap and Tugger during "Old Deuteronomy".
Exotica keeps switching costumes during "Skimbleshanks", from her original brown unitard to a gray one with more texture.
When Munkustrap is greeting everyone before the "Gumbie Cat" number, as he's rubbing heads with Alonzo, Cassandra's hand is sticking into the frame, but he's completely ignoring it.
At the end of "Old Deuteronomy", when Old D starts singing, he's out of time to the music.
The wire that works Rumpuscat's hair is incredibly obvious.
Cassandra appears to change her eye color. Does she wear contacts or is it a lighting thing?
After "Macavity" when everyone comes running onstage, Jellylorum comes in from stage right and falls smack on her butt.
Tugger says SOMETHING to Grizabella at the beginning of her first song (and even though it's under dispute at the moment, I can't say what most fans think it is.)
Right after Munku says "...happened to meet," during "Pekes and the Pollicles", he pulls up his arm warmer.
During "Skimbleshanks", right after he says "...to catch a flea", Cassandra pretends to pick a flea off of Tumblebrutus.
At the beginning of "Pekes and the Pollicles", there's a random item left out in the middle of the dance floor. Electra retrieves it.
Right before "It was very pleasant..." during "Skimbleshanks", Cassandra picks her tail from between her legs.
When Jenny says, "Just need employment," during her song, one of her top buttons has come undone; in the next shot it's fastened again.
Jemima puts her mouse mask on wrong and has to try again.
During "Pekes and Pollicles" when Tugger first comes out with the bagpipes, he runs past Misto and knocks the bag off his hand, which flies onto center stage. Then the Poms come out and start kicking it around, and Misto is sitting off to the side trying to slap his forehead, but since he's wearing a shoe on his head, the shoe gets slapped instead. This takes a sharp eye!
At the end of "Skimbleshanks", when the train is falling apart, in one shot Pouncival is fooling around with an umbrella, opening and closing it; in the next shot the umbrella is closed and on the floor and Pouncival is in a different spot.
Right when Tugger first comes onstage during his number, Munkustrap turns his head too fast and a glob of spit flies out of his mouth.
Jellylorum almost falls forward during the tap number in "Gumbie Cat".
When Etcetera is on the trapeze you can see someone's hand pushing her.
During "Naming of Cats" when the camera zooms in on Plato, you can see where his wig attaches to his head.
During "Skimbleshanks", Jemima looks as if she's not quite sure on the moves; she's a split second behind everyone else and seems tentative.
During "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats", when they're all in a pyramid and the camera goes by Tugger, you can see the snaps used to secure the ruff.
In some shots during "Pekes and the Pollicles", Victoria is played by Jo Bingham (Etcetera) instead of the usual actress, Phyllida Crowley-Smith.
During "Gus", Jellylorum's wig has a flyaway.
Currently listening to: "Stranger In Paradise", Sarah Brightman
You might be a Cats fan if...
This is my own personal take on Jeff Foxworthy. Items in italics are things that have actually happened to me.
1. You have your name officially changed to your cat name (e.g. Jagyularr)
2. You paint your room black and let it get very messy, then call it your Junkyard
3. People constantly catch you dancing around in the halls, no matter where you are.
4. You hiss or growl when you’re mad about something.
5. You can’t just say plain old “about” anymore; you have to drag it out into at least a ten-syllable word.
6. You’ve been grounded for trying to use the litter box.
7. You try to get plastic surgery so you can have a tail and whiskers.
8. You wear fake cat ears to school.
9. And no one notices the difference.
10. If someone’s watching the video for the first time you’re sure to tell them EVERYTHING you know, so they usually get tired of it and walk away.
11. You get bored one summer, so you and your friends put on your own production of CATS.
12. You actually use some video bloopers in that production. Without realizing it.
13. You blame everything on Macavity!
14. You and your other fanatical friends have your own clique at school. And you are surprised when you see your names on the bathroom wall.
15. You bring your CATS CD to a karaoke party...then hog the mike and kickbox anyone else who wants to use it unless they are going to sing along with you.
16. When you walk into a classroom, the first thing you do is to draw cat eyes on the board. (I used to do this; not so much anymore.)
17. You invent a cat “family” for yourself (e.g. Grizabella is my mom, Jemi is my cousin, etc.)
18. You are constantly comparing other dances to CATS or other dancers to CATS characters.
19. You call your room your "little den" and write your name on the door.
20. You try to fit into your dresser drawer and when you get stuck you make a fuss.
21. You travel all over the world just to see all possible versions of the show. Or you learn every language known to man just so you can translate CATS songs into those languages.
22. When you're with people you don't know, like in a crowd, you start singing CATS songs just to see if anyone will make a comment about it.
23. Perversely, if you hear somebody singing something from CATS, you rush over to them and start babbling about the show. ( I would do this if I actually had the opportunity.)
24. When you do manage to get to a live show, you mug the actors for autographs.
25. You break your restraining order and do it again.
26. While in jail for breaking said order, you use your one phone call to dial (insert actor's name here) 's number.
27. Consequently, you get relocated to a mental ward, but you don't mind the padded walls as long as you can have your CATS video.
28. If you have Neopets, you have a CATS username, password, names of pets, a CATS-themed shop, and are part of a CATS guild.
29. Every single picture on your family's computer has to do with CATS, so no-one else has any room to put stuff.
30. You throw a fit when your parents won't let you wear your CATS costume to the show.
31. You wear it anyway and they decide they don't care.
32. You have a choice of two or three DIFFERENT costumes to wear to the show. Finally, you end up taking them all.
33. You have to know the status of your fave actor (e.g Jacob, John, Michael, Karl or Drew) at any given time.
34. When you hear that your drama club is taking a London theatre tour in two years, you immediately sign up because you just KNOW that CATS will have a revival by then (in fact, you're astounded that it hasn't already).
35. You learn to draw every version of every cat ever invented, even the really obscure ones like Bill Bailey and Carbucketty.
36. You collect CDs by Elaine Paige and Sarah Brightman just because you know they've been in CATS. Also, you buy the soundtrack to the original Les Miserables because Susan Jane Tanner is Madame Thenardier, and the soundtrack of the original Mamma Mia! because James Barron and Leah Sue Morland are in the chorus.
37. You have learned every single dance move, including the entire Jellicle Ball, and have choreographed dances of your own, including a lyrical jazz to Memory.
38. Even if you can't dance worth crap.
39. By about the fifth time you've seen the show live, you beg your parents so long to get front-row tickets that they finally spend the night at the box office just to get you to shut up. You get your front row tickets. (*Slight* exaggeration there...my mom was fifteen minutes early, and I didn't have to beg.)
40. When CATS FINALLY comes to your hometown, you buy extras of all the souvenirs, even though you have them already, just so you can have a separate one from when it came to your city.
41. When the school band learns they are playing a CATS medley for a concert, everyone in the entire band thinks of you.
42. Everyone in the band tells you this news within the next 24 hours.
43. After you get the CATS: Ultimate Edition DVD for Christmas, you decide to get rid of your old VHS copy because you've watched it so many times it's all worn out. So you sell it at a garage sale, and it turns out one of your friends comes. They see the CATS video, freak out, call all the news stations, and the selling of your CATS video turns into a national event before you can even explain, and nobody will let you forget it for years.
Currently listening to: "Imaginary Love", Rufus Wainwright
1. You have your name officially changed to your cat name (e.g. Jagyularr)
2. You paint your room black and let it get very messy, then call it your Junkyard
3. People constantly catch you dancing around in the halls, no matter where you are.
4. You hiss or growl when you’re mad about something.
5. You can’t just say plain old “about” anymore; you have to drag it out into at least a ten-syllable word.
6. You’ve been grounded for trying to use the litter box.
7. You try to get plastic surgery so you can have a tail and whiskers.
8. You wear fake cat ears to school.
9. And no one notices the difference.
10. If someone’s watching the video for the first time you’re sure to tell them EVERYTHING you know, so they usually get tired of it and walk away.
11. You get bored one summer, so you and your friends put on your own production of CATS.
12. You actually use some video bloopers in that production. Without realizing it.
13. You blame everything on Macavity!
14. You and your other fanatical friends have your own clique at school. And you are surprised when you see your names on the bathroom wall.
15. You bring your CATS CD to a karaoke party...then hog the mike and kickbox anyone else who wants to use it unless they are going to sing along with you.
16. When you walk into a classroom, the first thing you do is to draw cat eyes on the board. (I used to do this; not so much anymore.)
17. You invent a cat “family” for yourself (e.g. Grizabella is my mom, Jemi is my cousin, etc.)
18. You are constantly comparing other dances to CATS or other dancers to CATS characters.
19. You call your room your "little den" and write your name on the door.
20. You try to fit into your dresser drawer and when you get stuck you make a fuss.
21. You travel all over the world just to see all possible versions of the show. Or you learn every language known to man just so you can translate CATS songs into those languages.
22. When you're with people you don't know, like in a crowd, you start singing CATS songs just to see if anyone will make a comment about it.
23. Perversely, if you hear somebody singing something from CATS, you rush over to them and start babbling about the show. ( I would do this if I actually had the opportunity.)
24. When you do manage to get to a live show, you mug the actors for autographs.
25. You break your restraining order and do it again.
26. While in jail for breaking said order, you use your one phone call to dial (insert actor's name here) 's number.
27. Consequently, you get relocated to a mental ward, but you don't mind the padded walls as long as you can have your CATS video.
28. If you have Neopets, you have a CATS username, password, names of pets, a CATS-themed shop, and are part of a CATS guild.
29. Every single picture on your family's computer has to do with CATS, so no-one else has any room to put stuff.
30. You throw a fit when your parents won't let you wear your CATS costume to the show.
31. You wear it anyway and they decide they don't care.
32. You have a choice of two or three DIFFERENT costumes to wear to the show. Finally, you end up taking them all.
33. You have to know the status of your fave actor (e.g Jacob, John, Michael, Karl or Drew) at any given time.
34. When you hear that your drama club is taking a London theatre tour in two years, you immediately sign up because you just KNOW that CATS will have a revival by then (in fact, you're astounded that it hasn't already).
35. You learn to draw every version of every cat ever invented, even the really obscure ones like Bill Bailey and Carbucketty.
36. You collect CDs by Elaine Paige and Sarah Brightman just because you know they've been in CATS. Also, you buy the soundtrack to the original Les Miserables because Susan Jane Tanner is Madame Thenardier, and the soundtrack of the original Mamma Mia! because James Barron and Leah Sue Morland are in the chorus.
37. You have learned every single dance move, including the entire Jellicle Ball, and have choreographed dances of your own, including a lyrical jazz to Memory.
38. Even if you can't dance worth crap.
39. By about the fifth time you've seen the show live, you beg your parents so long to get front-row tickets that they finally spend the night at the box office just to get you to shut up. You get your front row tickets. (*Slight* exaggeration there...my mom was fifteen minutes early, and I didn't have to beg.)
40. When CATS FINALLY comes to your hometown, you buy extras of all the souvenirs, even though you have them already, just so you can have a separate one from when it came to your city.
41. When the school band learns they are playing a CATS medley for a concert, everyone in the entire band thinks of you.
42. Everyone in the band tells you this news within the next 24 hours.
43. After you get the CATS: Ultimate Edition DVD for Christmas, you decide to get rid of your old VHS copy because you've watched it so many times it's all worn out. So you sell it at a garage sale, and it turns out one of your friends comes. They see the CATS video, freak out, call all the news stations, and the selling of your CATS video turns into a national event before you can even explain, and nobody will let you forget it for years.
Currently listening to: "Imaginary Love", Rufus Wainwright
Character Descriptions
I thought I'd start with the basics, for the benefit of anyone unfamiliar with the focus of this site, the musical Cats. This is a list of the characters (both video and non-video) and their personalities, various colourings, possible relationships within the show, etc.
Name origin: Human name, Spanish: "noble and ready".
Siblings: Tumble, Misto, Plato
Distinguishing Features: ???
Other things to know: Generally agreed on as the second-in-command to Munkustrap, or the third-in-command to Deuteronomy.
*
Name: Asparagus
Coloring: gray and brown with a few white patches
Mate: ??
Best friend: Skimbles? Bustopher?
What’s this cat like?: A little bit pompous; hates it when the kittens or other younger cats get into mischief. Doesn't quite fit in with the elders, but not with the younger cats, either.
Possible age in human years - mid to upper 50's
Name origin: name of a vegetable.
Siblings: Skimbles, Bustopher
Distinguishing features: none
Other things to know: Only a separate character in the video; normally Gus and Asparagus are the same character.
*
Name: Bombalurina
Coloring: red and white, usually with little black spots and/or stripes
Mate: Doesn't really have one. In all productions she tends to play the field, but is usually matched up with Tugger in the fan world. Occasionally paired with Pouncival.
Best friend: Demeter
What’s this cat like?: Flirtatious, feisty; she’s sexy and she knows it! Also, she resents all the rules set down by the elders and tries to get around them any chance she can.
Possible age in human years: late 20's
Name: Invented by T.S. Eliot; probably a combination of "bomb" and "ballerina".
Siblings: Demeter, Cassandra
Distinguishing Features: very colorful
Other things to know: ??
*
Name: Bustopher Jones
Coloring: tuxedo black and white with a red flower
Mate: ?
Best friend: Unknown.
What’s this cat like?: Believes nothing and no one in the Junkyard is good enough for him, even though they bend over backwards to try and impress him.
Possible age in human years: early to mid-50s
Name origin: Original T.S. Eliot character. Jones is a common last name in the human world.
Siblings: Skimbles, Asparagus
Distinguishing features: always carries a spoon and red carnation; remarkably fat
Other things to know: Seems to be the Rum Tum Tugger of the older crowd; popular among older adults, but the younger cats seem to be somewhat scornful of him.
*
Name: Cassandra
Coloring: although she is usually described as Siamese, most productions show her with the reverse coloring from a Siamese, particularly in the face. Tan, grey and brown.
Mate: generally agreed, Alonzo
Best friend: not sure she has one.
What’s this cat like?: Mysterious and a bit aloof; doesn’t talk much
Possible age in human years: early to mid-30s
Name origin: In Greek legend, the prophetess of doom.
Siblings: Demeter, Bombalurina
Distinguishing features: distinctive coloring
Other things to know: ??
*
Name: Coricopat
Coloring: black and white ticked in most productions, tortoiseshell in a few
Mate: Don’t think he has one
Best friend: Tantomile
What’s this cat like?: Practically inseparable from his twin, Tantomile.
Possible age in human years: late 20's to early 30's
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot.
Siblings: Tantomile
Distinguishing features: Is never apart from Tantomile, and they have the same movements.
Other things to know: Coricopat and Tantomile are believed by many fans to be mediums (media?) and/or psychics.
*
Name: Demeter
Coloring: gold, brown, black and white
Mate: usually Munkustrap (in some productions, this fluctuates between him and Alonzo)
Best friend: Bombalurina
What’s this cat like?: Ever so slightly paranoid about Macavity, due to unknown personal history with him.
Possible age in human years: mid to late 20s
Name origin: In Greek mythology, the goddess of grain whose daughter is trapped in the underworld for half of each year.
Siblings: Bombalurina, Cassandra
Distinguishing features: always the one who yells “Macavity!”
Other things to know: The Demeter/Macavity relationship is a popular topic in fanfiction, particularly the angsty and/or smutty variety.
*
Name: Electra
Coloring: black and peach or black and gold
Mate: none, really. A popular matchup is Mistoffelees, but this has not been confirmed.
Best friend: Etcetera
What’s this cat like?: Pretty much blends in but engages in classic kitten behavior, gets into mischief, etc.
Possible age in human years: early to mid-teens
Name origin: Greek, "Amber". Also, in literature, the vengeful daughter of Agamemnon.
Siblings: Etcetera, Jemima
Distinguishing features: has extensive gymnastic ability.
Other things to know:
*
Name: Etcetera
Coloring: white, peach and black
Mate: none
Best friend: Electra
What’s this cat like?: Hyper (very kittenish) and completely obsessed with Rum Tum Tugger in most productions.
Possible age in human years: early to mid-teens
Name origin: Latin for "and others"; usually used at the end of a sequence to imply that there is more to it.
Siblings: Electra, Jemima
Distinguishing Features: ALWAYS at Tugger’s side
Other things to know: ?
*
Name: Griddlebone
Coloring: white and pink
Mate: Growltiger, though some say she's secretly canoodling with Macavity
Best friend: whoever's on the winning side
What's this cat like?: Either scheming and manipulative, or just a bimbo. This depends on characterization.
Possible age in human years: late 30s to early 40s
Name origin: Invented by T. S. Eliot
Siblings: ?
Distinguishing features: Very fluffy, only appears in one song.
Other things to know: It's generally agreed that the Siamese attack Growltiger as the result of a double-agent betrayal by Griddlebone.
*
Name: Grizabella
Coloring: grey or grey-brown coat covering a sparkly black dress
Mate: ??
Best friend: doesn't seem to have many friends at all
What’s this cat like?: Still proud after all these years, but desperate to be accepted.
Possible age in human years: mid to late 60's
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot. Possible derivation of the French words "gris" (meaning "grey") and "belle" (meaning "beautiful").
Siblings: ??
Distinguishing features: Sings "Memory", the song that everyone knows from Cats even if they don't know anything else about it.
Other things to know: Many fans, including me, like to invent a history for her. Her poem wasn't included in the original Old Possum book because it was too sad.
*
Name: Growltiger
Coloring: usually red, brown, black and white, but it depends on the production.
Mate: Griddlebone, if you could call her a mate
Best Friend: himself
What’s this cat like?: A pirate; he abuses his crew by kicking and punching them in…er...various spots, and he thinks he can sing opera.
Possible age in human years: early to mid-40's
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot. Pretty self-explanatory.
Siblings: Technically, he's a fictional character, so...
Distinguishing features: Likes to laugh manically and snort. Wears an eye patch.
Other things to know: Growltiger appears in a flashback of Gus' at the end of his song, but only in live versions of the show.
*
Name: Gus (Asparagus)
Coloring: grayish-brown
Mate: ?
Best friend:?
What’s this cat like?: Depending on the characterization, a sweet old guy who wishes he were still in his old acting days, or a stereotypical old guy who is disdainful of everything modern, particularly theatre.
Possible age in human years - late 70s to mid-80s
Name origin: shortened version of Asparagus
Siblings:?
Distinguishing features: only shows up during his song in the video; is around all the time on stage. Always played by the same person as Growltiger.
*
Name: Jellylorum
Coloring: brown, gray and white
Mate: Asparagus
Best friend: Jennyanydots
What’s this cat like?: She takes care of Gus in his old age and makes sure everyone follows the rules...if she can catch them, that is.
Possible age in human years: Mid to late 50s
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot; a "Lillycat"
Siblings: Jennyanydots
Distinguishing features: none
Other things to know:
*
Name: Jemima
Coloring: red-brown, white, and black
Mate: none, although she's been seen dallying with Alonzo.
Best friend: In most shows, she circulates between all the kittens. In my world, it’s me.
What’s this cat like?: Intuitive. She receives feelings from Grizabella channeled through Coricopat and Tantomile.
Possible age in human years: early to mid teens
Name origin: human name, Hebrew - "Dove". Suggests innocence.
Siblings: Etcetera, Electra
Distinguishing features: In the video, she sounds exactly like Charlotte Church.
Other things to know: Generally agreed on as the youngest kitten in the tribe.
*
Name: Jennyanydots
Coloring: tiger stripes and leopard spots; tan and orange.
Mate: Skimbleshanks, possibly
Best friend: Jellylorum
What’s this cat like?: Helpful and organized; kind of the Martha Stewart of the feline world.
Possible age in human years: early to mid-50s
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot
Siblings: Jellylorum
Distinguishing Features: quite fat at first appearance.
Other things to know: ??
*
Name: Macavity
Coloring: red, black and white in a lightning bolt pattern
Mate: ?
Best friend: ?
What’s this cat like?: The only real villain in the show.
Possible age in human years: ? Possibly late 20s?
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot. Based on the character of Moriarty, Sherlock Holmes' nemesis.
Siblings: ?
Distinguishing Features: Only shows up a couple of times; he kidnaps Old Deuteronomy
Other things to know: ??
*
Name: Mistoffelees
Coloring: black and white tuxedo
Mate: Electra in some productions, Jemima in others; usually none.
Best friend: Tugger? Does he really have one?
What’s this cat like?: Still quite kittenish even though he’s growing up. Has magical powers and likes to show them off, but sometimes gets carried away.
Possible age in human years: late teens
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot, based on Mephistophelees, an archaic name for the devil
Siblings: Alonzo, Tumblebrutus, Plato
Distinguishing features: magical; during his song, dons a sparkly jacket.
Other things to know: ?
*
Name: Mungojerrie
Coloring: brown, orange, black and white (calico). A genetic anomaly.
Mate: Possbly Rumpelteazer; this is up for debate.
Best friend: Teazer
What’s this cat like?: Gets into trouble a lot, but enjoys it; in fact, he likes to take all the credit for everything, which his sister hates.
Possible age in human years: mid-20s
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot
Siblings: Rumpelteazer
Distinguishing features: The only character in the show who wears a shirt over his regular costume. (Of course, it depends on the production, but he usually does.)
Other things to know: Yes, it is possible in the feline world to be both siblings and mates.
*
Name: Munkustrap
Coloring: gray, black and white striped
Mate: Demeter
Best friend: probably Tugger
What’s this cat like?: Protective and friendly; likes to be in charge of everything and hates when things don’t go his way. Slightly anal-retentive.
Possible age in human years: late 20s to early 30s
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot
Siblings: Tugger
Distinguishing features: Very protective of everyone and won’t hide until he knows everyone else is safe.
Other things to know: Generally considered second-in-command to Deuteronomy.
*
Name: Old Deuteronomy
Coloring: gray and brown
Mate: 9 (or is it 99?) dead wives
Best friend: hell, the whole tribe is his best friend!
What’s this cat like?: Mellow; a very grandfatherly type. Seems like he’d make a good blues singer.
Possible age in human years: mid to late 70s
Name origin: Named after a book of the Bible
Siblings: ?
Distinguishing Features: big guy! Kind of looks like a mop, but in a good way.
Other things to know: ?
*
Name: Plato
Coloring: brown and white
Mate: Victoria
Best friend:? probably Tumblebrutus
What’s this cat like?: Background cat; not much personality except for his one appearance during the Jellicle Ball.
Possible age in human years: mid to late 20s
Name origin: Greek philosopher
Siblings: Tumble, Alonzo, Misto
Distinguishing features: participates in a mating ritual (or possibly a coming-of-age ceremony) with Victoria during the Jellicle Ball.
Other things to know:
*
Name: Pouncival
Coloring: Gray-brown and white patched; the shade of brown depends on the production
Mate: unofficially Bombalurina in the video; other times he doesn't really have one
Best friend:? I think probably Admetus or Alonzo
What’s this cat like?: energetic and a troublemaker
Possible age in human years: late teens
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot; a "knockabout cat"
Siblings: ? Admetus?
Distinguishing features: In the video, he’s the first "cockroach" to come out; the one who tries to stab Jennyanydots with a fork. Plus, he’s always into something or other.
Other things to know: ?
*
Name: Rumpleteazer (Rumpelteazer)
Coloring: orange, brown, black and white (Calico; occasionally dilute calico, depending on the production)
Mate: possibly Mungojerrie
Best friend: Mungojerrie
What’s this cat like?: A bit cheeky and very lovable (those two have got the greatest Cockney accents!)
Possible age in human years: early to mid-20s
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot
Siblings: Mungojerrie
Distinguishing features: giggles a lot, wears pearls
Other things to know: ?
*
Name: Rumpuscat (The Great Rumpuscat)
Coloring: gray muscle suit, black poofy hair
Mate: none that I know of...
Best friend: none
What’s this cat like?: Ever-so-slightly insane, but good at keeping the peace through intimidation.
Possible age in human years: mid to late 20s
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot. Pretty self-explanatory.
Siblings:?
Distinguishing Features: Has a giant “R” stenciled on his chest that is a parody of the Superman logo.
Other things to know: No longer appears in most live versions; out of the nine times I've seen the show, the only time the Rumpuscat was included was in the 2002 UK Tour.
*
Name: Rum Tum Tugger
Coloring: usually black with some leopard pattered areas (in Japan, white, pink and blonde. Scary!!)
Mate: None, really; he doesn't like commitment.
Best friend: Munkustrap or Mistoffelees
What’s this cat like?: Again, he’s sexy and he knows it! He’s usually goofy but in a pinch he can be serious, though it depends on what production you see.
Possible age in human years: late 20s to early 30s
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot
Siblings: Munkustrap
Distinguishing features: Wears a gigantic fur ruff for the entire show after his song, so he can be immediately spotted anywhere.
Other things to know: It's unknown exactly who the inspiration for this character is, although Elvis, Michael Jackson and Mick Jagger have all been discussed.
*
Name: Skimbleshanks
Coloring: ginger striped
Mate: Jennyanydots?
Best friend: Asparagus
What’s this cat like?: Likes to help out, but only when HE feels like it. Seems to have an odd obsession with putting scotch in his tea.
Possible age in human years: late 40s to early 50s
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot. "Shanks" may refer to the lower part of the leg.
Siblings: Asparagus, Bustopher Jones
Distinguishing features: wears a vest and pocket watch during his song
Other things to know: ?
*
Name: Tantomile
Coloring: black and white ticked in most shows, tortoiseshell in a few
Mate:? none
Best friend: Coricopat
What’s this cat like?: mystical and psychic; she and Coricopat read each others’ minds and make the same movements
Possible age in human years: mid to late 20s
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot; a "witch's cat".
Siblings: Coricopat
Distinguishing Features: She’s always seen with Coricopat.
Other things to know: ?
*
Name: Tumblebrutus
Coloring: brown and white
Mate: ??
Best Friend: Alonzo
What’s this cat like?:?
Possible age in human years: early 20s
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot; originally Growltiger's bosun.
Siblings: Plato, Mistoffelees, Alonzo
Distinguishing features: none
Other things to know: ?
*
Name: Victoria
Coloring: white
Mate: Plato
Best friend: ??? pretty quiet...
What’s this cat like?: A great dancer; she doesn’t talk much.
Possible age in human years: mid to late teens
Name origin: Human name, Latin; "winner; conqueror".
Siblings: ?
Distinguishing features: the only pure white cat, VERY flexible. Also dances with Plato during the Jellicle Ball - as a coming-of-age ceremony, possibly.
Other things to know: ?
Currently listening to: "Restless", Mark O'Connor and the New Nashville Cats
Before anyone reads this, I'd like to say once again that this is MY OPINION and I am not trying to make anyone else agree with me. I am also aware that different productions have different interpretations of characters; these characterizations are based on the productions I have seen, but primarily the movie, since that's the version that most people have access to.
Name: Alonzo
Coloring: black and white bicolour in the video and London productions; tortoiseshell in most other productions. Obviously a genetic anomaly.
Mate: generally agreed, Cassandra. Some say Jemima.
Best friend: Tumble or Mistoffelees
What’s this cat like?: Stays cool in just about any situation. Still kind of a kitten, but tends to be a bit more mature than his peers.
Possible age in human years: mid-20'sName: Alonzo
Coloring: black and white bicolour in the video and London productions; tortoiseshell in most other productions. Obviously a genetic anomaly.
Mate: generally agreed, Cassandra. Some say Jemima.
Best friend: Tumble or Mistoffelees
What’s this cat like?: Stays cool in just about any situation. Still kind of a kitten, but tends to be a bit more mature than his peers.
Name origin: Human name, Spanish: "noble and ready".
Siblings: Tumble, Misto, Plato
Distinguishing Features: ???
Other things to know: Generally agreed on as the second-in-command to Munkustrap, or the third-in-command to Deuteronomy.
*
Name: Asparagus
Coloring: gray and brown with a few white patches
Mate: ??
Best friend: Skimbles? Bustopher?
What’s this cat like?: A little bit pompous; hates it when the kittens or other younger cats get into mischief. Doesn't quite fit in with the elders, but not with the younger cats, either.
Possible age in human years - mid to upper 50's
Name origin: name of a vegetable.
Siblings: Skimbles, Bustopher
Distinguishing features: none
Other things to know: Only a separate character in the video; normally Gus and Asparagus are the same character.
*
Name: Bombalurina
Coloring: red and white, usually with little black spots and/or stripes
Mate: Doesn't really have one. In all productions she tends to play the field, but is usually matched up with Tugger in the fan world. Occasionally paired with Pouncival.
Best friend: Demeter
What’s this cat like?: Flirtatious, feisty; she’s sexy and she knows it! Also, she resents all the rules set down by the elders and tries to get around them any chance she can.
Possible age in human years: late 20's
Name: Invented by T.S. Eliot; probably a combination of "bomb" and "ballerina".
Siblings: Demeter, Cassandra
Distinguishing Features: very colorful
Other things to know: ??
*
Name: Bustopher Jones
Coloring: tuxedo black and white with a red flower
Mate: ?
Best friend: Unknown.
What’s this cat like?: Believes nothing and no one in the Junkyard is good enough for him, even though they bend over backwards to try and impress him.
Possible age in human years: early to mid-50s
Name origin: Original T.S. Eliot character. Jones is a common last name in the human world.
Siblings: Skimbles, Asparagus
Distinguishing features: always carries a spoon and red carnation; remarkably fat
Other things to know: Seems to be the Rum Tum Tugger of the older crowd; popular among older adults, but the younger cats seem to be somewhat scornful of him.
*
Name: Cassandra
Coloring: although she is usually described as Siamese, most productions show her with the reverse coloring from a Siamese, particularly in the face. Tan, grey and brown.
Mate: generally agreed, Alonzo
Best friend: not sure she has one.
What’s this cat like?: Mysterious and a bit aloof; doesn’t talk much
Possible age in human years: early to mid-30s
Name origin: In Greek legend, the prophetess of doom.
Siblings: Demeter, Bombalurina
Distinguishing features: distinctive coloring
Other things to know: ??
*
Name: Coricopat
Coloring: black and white ticked in most productions, tortoiseshell in a few
Mate: Don’t think he has one
Best friend: Tantomile
What’s this cat like?: Practically inseparable from his twin, Tantomile.
Possible age in human years: late 20's to early 30's
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot.
Siblings: Tantomile
Distinguishing features: Is never apart from Tantomile, and they have the same movements.
Other things to know: Coricopat and Tantomile are believed by many fans to be mediums (media?) and/or psychics.
*
Name: Demeter
Coloring: gold, brown, black and white
Mate: usually Munkustrap (in some productions, this fluctuates between him and Alonzo)
Best friend: Bombalurina
What’s this cat like?: Ever so slightly paranoid about Macavity, due to unknown personal history with him.
Possible age in human years: mid to late 20s
Name origin: In Greek mythology, the goddess of grain whose daughter is trapped in the underworld for half of each year.
Siblings: Bombalurina, Cassandra
Distinguishing features: always the one who yells “Macavity!”
Other things to know: The Demeter/Macavity relationship is a popular topic in fanfiction, particularly the angsty and/or smutty variety.
*
Name: Electra
Coloring: black and peach or black and gold
Mate: none, really. A popular matchup is Mistoffelees, but this has not been confirmed.
Best friend: Etcetera
What’s this cat like?: Pretty much blends in but engages in classic kitten behavior, gets into mischief, etc.
Possible age in human years: early to mid-teens
Name origin: Greek, "Amber". Also, in literature, the vengeful daughter of Agamemnon.
Siblings: Etcetera, Jemima
Distinguishing features: has extensive gymnastic ability.
Other things to know:
*
Name: Etcetera
Coloring: white, peach and black
Mate: none
Best friend: Electra
What’s this cat like?: Hyper (very kittenish) and completely obsessed with Rum Tum Tugger in most productions.
Possible age in human years: early to mid-teens
Name origin: Latin for "and others"; usually used at the end of a sequence to imply that there is more to it.
Siblings: Electra, Jemima
Distinguishing Features: ALWAYS at Tugger’s side
Other things to know: ?
*
Name: Griddlebone
Coloring: white and pink
Mate: Growltiger, though some say she's secretly canoodling with Macavity
Best friend: whoever's on the winning side
What's this cat like?: Either scheming and manipulative, or just a bimbo. This depends on characterization.
Possible age in human years: late 30s to early 40s
Name origin: Invented by T. S. Eliot
Siblings: ?
Distinguishing features: Very fluffy, only appears in one song.
Other things to know: It's generally agreed that the Siamese attack Growltiger as the result of a double-agent betrayal by Griddlebone.
*
Name: Grizabella
Coloring: grey or grey-brown coat covering a sparkly black dress
Mate: ??
Best friend: doesn't seem to have many friends at all
What’s this cat like?: Still proud after all these years, but desperate to be accepted.
Possible age in human years: mid to late 60's
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot. Possible derivation of the French words "gris" (meaning "grey") and "belle" (meaning "beautiful").
Siblings: ??
Distinguishing features: Sings "Memory", the song that everyone knows from Cats even if they don't know anything else about it.
Other things to know: Many fans, including me, like to invent a history for her. Her poem wasn't included in the original Old Possum book because it was too sad.
*
Name: Growltiger
Coloring: usually red, brown, black and white, but it depends on the production.
Mate: Griddlebone, if you could call her a mate
Best Friend: himself
What’s this cat like?: A pirate; he abuses his crew by kicking and punching them in…er...various spots, and he thinks he can sing opera.
Possible age in human years: early to mid-40's
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot. Pretty self-explanatory.
Siblings: Technically, he's a fictional character, so...
Distinguishing features: Likes to laugh manically and snort. Wears an eye patch.
Other things to know: Growltiger appears in a flashback of Gus' at the end of his song, but only in live versions of the show.
*
Name: Gus (Asparagus)
Coloring: grayish-brown
Mate: ?
Best friend:?
What’s this cat like?: Depending on the characterization, a sweet old guy who wishes he were still in his old acting days, or a stereotypical old guy who is disdainful of everything modern, particularly theatre.
Possible age in human years - late 70s to mid-80s
Name origin: shortened version of Asparagus
Siblings:?
Distinguishing features: only shows up during his song in the video; is around all the time on stage. Always played by the same person as Growltiger.
*
Name: Jellylorum
Coloring: brown, gray and white
Mate: Asparagus
Best friend: Jennyanydots
What’s this cat like?: She takes care of Gus in his old age and makes sure everyone follows the rules...if she can catch them, that is.
Possible age in human years: Mid to late 50s
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot; a "Lillycat"
Siblings: Jennyanydots
Distinguishing features: none
Other things to know:
*
Name: Jemima
Coloring: red-brown, white, and black
Mate: none, although she's been seen dallying with Alonzo.
Best friend: In most shows, she circulates between all the kittens. In my world, it’s me.
What’s this cat like?: Intuitive. She receives feelings from Grizabella channeled through Coricopat and Tantomile.
Possible age in human years: early to mid teens
Name origin: human name, Hebrew - "Dove". Suggests innocence.
Siblings: Etcetera, Electra
Distinguishing features: In the video, she sounds exactly like Charlotte Church.
Other things to know: Generally agreed on as the youngest kitten in the tribe.
*
Name: Jennyanydots
Coloring: tiger stripes and leopard spots; tan and orange.
Mate: Skimbleshanks, possibly
Best friend: Jellylorum
What’s this cat like?: Helpful and organized; kind of the Martha Stewart of the feline world.
Possible age in human years: early to mid-50s
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot
Siblings: Jellylorum
Distinguishing Features: quite fat at first appearance.
Other things to know: ??
*
Name: Macavity
Coloring: red, black and white in a lightning bolt pattern
Mate: ?
Best friend: ?
What’s this cat like?: The only real villain in the show.
Possible age in human years: ? Possibly late 20s?
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot. Based on the character of Moriarty, Sherlock Holmes' nemesis.
Siblings: ?
Distinguishing Features: Only shows up a couple of times; he kidnaps Old Deuteronomy
Other things to know: ??
*
Name: Mistoffelees
Coloring: black and white tuxedo
Mate: Electra in some productions, Jemima in others; usually none.
Best friend: Tugger? Does he really have one?
What’s this cat like?: Still quite kittenish even though he’s growing up. Has magical powers and likes to show them off, but sometimes gets carried away.
Possible age in human years: late teens
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot, based on Mephistophelees, an archaic name for the devil
Siblings: Alonzo, Tumblebrutus, Plato
Distinguishing features: magical; during his song, dons a sparkly jacket.
Other things to know: ?
*
Name: Mungojerrie
Coloring: brown, orange, black and white (calico). A genetic anomaly.
Mate: Possbly Rumpelteazer; this is up for debate.
Best friend: Teazer
What’s this cat like?: Gets into trouble a lot, but enjoys it; in fact, he likes to take all the credit for everything, which his sister hates.
Possible age in human years: mid-20s
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot
Siblings: Rumpelteazer
Distinguishing features: The only character in the show who wears a shirt over his regular costume. (Of course, it depends on the production, but he usually does.)
Other things to know: Yes, it is possible in the feline world to be both siblings and mates.
*
Name: Munkustrap
Coloring: gray, black and white striped
Mate: Demeter
Best friend: probably Tugger
What’s this cat like?: Protective and friendly; likes to be in charge of everything and hates when things don’t go his way. Slightly anal-retentive.
Possible age in human years: late 20s to early 30s
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot
Siblings: Tugger
Distinguishing features: Very protective of everyone and won’t hide until he knows everyone else is safe.
Other things to know: Generally considered second-in-command to Deuteronomy.
*
Name: Old Deuteronomy
Coloring: gray and brown
Mate: 9 (or is it 99?) dead wives
Best friend: hell, the whole tribe is his best friend!
What’s this cat like?: Mellow; a very grandfatherly type. Seems like he’d make a good blues singer.
Possible age in human years: mid to late 70s
Name origin: Named after a book of the Bible
Siblings: ?
Distinguishing Features: big guy! Kind of looks like a mop, but in a good way.
Other things to know: ?
*
Name: Plato
Coloring: brown and white
Mate: Victoria
Best friend:? probably Tumblebrutus
What’s this cat like?: Background cat; not much personality except for his one appearance during the Jellicle Ball.
Possible age in human years: mid to late 20s
Name origin: Greek philosopher
Siblings: Tumble, Alonzo, Misto
Distinguishing features: participates in a mating ritual (or possibly a coming-of-age ceremony) with Victoria during the Jellicle Ball.
Other things to know:
*
Name: Pouncival
Coloring: Gray-brown and white patched; the shade of brown depends on the production
Mate: unofficially Bombalurina in the video; other times he doesn't really have one
Best friend:? I think probably Admetus or Alonzo
What’s this cat like?: energetic and a troublemaker
Possible age in human years: late teens
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot; a "knockabout cat"
Siblings: ? Admetus?
Distinguishing features: In the video, he’s the first "cockroach" to come out; the one who tries to stab Jennyanydots with a fork. Plus, he’s always into something or other.
Other things to know: ?
*
Name: Rumpleteazer (Rumpelteazer)
Coloring: orange, brown, black and white (Calico; occasionally dilute calico, depending on the production)
Mate: possibly Mungojerrie
Best friend: Mungojerrie
What’s this cat like?: A bit cheeky and very lovable (those two have got the greatest Cockney accents!)
Possible age in human years: early to mid-20s
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot
Siblings: Mungojerrie
Distinguishing features: giggles a lot, wears pearls
Other things to know: ?
*
Name: Rumpuscat (The Great Rumpuscat)
Coloring: gray muscle suit, black poofy hair
Mate: none that I know of...
Best friend: none
What’s this cat like?: Ever-so-slightly insane, but good at keeping the peace through intimidation.
Possible age in human years: mid to late 20s
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot. Pretty self-explanatory.
Siblings:?
Distinguishing Features: Has a giant “R” stenciled on his chest that is a parody of the Superman logo.
Other things to know: No longer appears in most live versions; out of the nine times I've seen the show, the only time the Rumpuscat was included was in the 2002 UK Tour.
*
Name: Rum Tum Tugger
Coloring: usually black with some leopard pattered areas (in Japan, white, pink and blonde. Scary!!)
Mate: None, really; he doesn't like commitment.
Best friend: Munkustrap or Mistoffelees
What’s this cat like?: Again, he’s sexy and he knows it! He’s usually goofy but in a pinch he can be serious, though it depends on what production you see.
Possible age in human years: late 20s to early 30s
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot
Siblings: Munkustrap
Distinguishing features: Wears a gigantic fur ruff for the entire show after his song, so he can be immediately spotted anywhere.
Other things to know: It's unknown exactly who the inspiration for this character is, although Elvis, Michael Jackson and Mick Jagger have all been discussed.
*
Name: Skimbleshanks
Coloring: ginger striped
Mate: Jennyanydots?
Best friend: Asparagus
What’s this cat like?: Likes to help out, but only when HE feels like it. Seems to have an odd obsession with putting scotch in his tea.
Possible age in human years: late 40s to early 50s
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot. "Shanks" may refer to the lower part of the leg.
Siblings: Asparagus, Bustopher Jones
Distinguishing features: wears a vest and pocket watch during his song
Other things to know: ?
*
Name: Tantomile
Coloring: black and white ticked in most shows, tortoiseshell in a few
Mate:? none
Best friend: Coricopat
What’s this cat like?: mystical and psychic; she and Coricopat read each others’ minds and make the same movements
Possible age in human years: mid to late 20s
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot; a "witch's cat".
Siblings: Coricopat
Distinguishing Features: She’s always seen with Coricopat.
Other things to know: ?
*
Name: Tumblebrutus
Coloring: brown and white
Mate: ??
Best Friend: Alonzo
What’s this cat like?:?
Possible age in human years: early 20s
Name origin: Invented by T.S. Eliot; originally Growltiger's bosun.
Siblings: Plato, Mistoffelees, Alonzo
Distinguishing features: none
Other things to know: ?
*
Name: Victoria
Coloring: white
Mate: Plato
Best friend: ??? pretty quiet...
What’s this cat like?: A great dancer; she doesn’t talk much.
Possible age in human years: mid to late teens
Name origin: Human name, Latin; "winner; conqueror".
Siblings: ?
Distinguishing features: the only pure white cat, VERY flexible. Also dances with Plato during the Jellicle Ball - as a coming-of-age ceremony, possibly.
Other things to know: ?
Currently listening to: "Restless", Mark O'Connor and the New Nashville Cats
The Spherical Room - Introduction
Let me introduce myself. I am Jagyularr, formerly known as Tigress, and owner and proprietor of the now stagnant Tottenham Court Road. Due to a switching of operating systems and the subsequent hunt for a suitable web editing program, the site has not been updated in over a year, despite my frequent attempts to do so (For whatever reason, even when I upload an updated file, Geocities does not update the corresponding page.)
Since one of the newer features of the old site is a web page tutorial that covers, among other things, the rudeness of just leaving a website to stagnate without explanation, I feel like a bit of a hypocrite; unfortunately, there's nothing to be done but to start an entirely new site. Since blogging is my spiel anyway, I thought, what better way to do this than to start a blog and work from there.
Once I start adding content to this site, this post will become the profile for the blog. Until then, consider yourself informed.
Since one of the newer features of the old site is a web page tutorial that covers, among other things, the rudeness of just leaving a website to stagnate without explanation, I feel like a bit of a hypocrite; unfortunately, there's nothing to be done but to start an entirely new site. Since blogging is my spiel anyway, I thought, what better way to do this than to start a blog and work from there.
Once I start adding content to this site, this post will become the profile for the blog. Until then, consider yourself informed.
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