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.
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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.
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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: ??
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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.
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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: ??
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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.
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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.
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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:
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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: ?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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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.
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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: ??
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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: ??
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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: ?
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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.
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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.
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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: ?
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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:
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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: ?
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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: ?
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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.
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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.
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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: ?
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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: ?
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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: ?
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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
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