Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer | |
---|---|
First appearance | Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats |
Created by | T. S. Eliot |
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer
Eliot's book was adapted into the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats. The roles of Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer were originated by John Thornton and Bonnie Langford in the West End in 1981 and by Rene Clemente and Christine Langner on Broadway in 1982.
Characteristics
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer are partners-in-crime, specialising in petty theft and mischief. In Eliot's original poem "Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer", they are depicted knocking over
In "Cats"
While Rumpelteazer is suggested to be a male cat in Eliot's original poem ("... they were plausible fellows ..."),[5] the character is portrayed as female in the musical. Vocally, Mungojerrie is meant to be played by a high baritone and Rumpleteazer by a high belter.[6][7] Acrobatic skills are also required to portray the duo.[8][6]
Musical number
The duo's eponymous song "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" has been revised several times. In the original London production, the number was a singsong-style duet that was mainly composed in 12
8 time with a slower tempo and more jazz-like sound. When Cats opened on Broadway, the song was rewritten to be faster and more upbeat, alternating between vaudeville-style verses (in 4
4 time) and a "manic patter" section (in 7
8 time). The London version was later rewritten to incorporate some aspects of its Broadway counterpart.[9] Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer dance throughout their number and perform acrobatic feats,[4] including their "trademark" two-person cartwheels.[10][11]
A new setting of the song "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" was also written for the original
Costumes
Onstage, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer are usually costumed as orange, black and brown calico or tabby cats. When they perform their song, they have additional costume pieces: a vest and stockings for Mungojerrie; a garter belt, stockings and stolen jewellery for Rumpleteazer.[4] In the original Broadway production, they wore baggy clown-like costumes seemingly made of various food wrappers as characters performing for Bustopher Jones.
Notable casting
Mungojerrie
The role of Mungojerrie was originated by John Thornton on the West End in 1981,[12] and by Rene Clemente on Broadway in 1982.[13] On screen, Mungojerrie was portrayed by Drew Varley in the 1998 film adaptation,[14] and by Danny Collins in the 2019 film adaptation.
Rumpleteazer
Rumpleteazer was originated by Bonnie Langford on the West End in 1981,[12] and by Christine Langner on Broadway in 1982.[13] On screen, the character was played by Jo Gibb in the 1998 filmed version,[14] and by Naoimh Morgan in the 2019 film adaptation.
Cultural references
- The rock, pop, and skiffle band Mungo Jerry, most famous for their hit "In the Summertime", are named after the character.[15]
- The character "Mingojerry Rample" in the film Serenity was a reference to the character Mungojerrie.
- A wax sculpture of Rumpleteazer is displayed at the Panoptikum Hamburg wax museum in Hamburg, Germany.[16]
References
- ^ Note: in Eliot's original work, the name is spelled "Rumpelteazer".
- Faber and Faber. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
- ^ "Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer". Cats the musical (official website). Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
- ^ a b c Sternfeld 2006, pp. 150–151
- ^ a b Page 22, Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, London 1984
- ^ a b "Cats Audition" (PDF). Vereinigte Bühnen Wien. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
- ^ "Cast / Vocal Requirements: Cats". .The Musical Company. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
- Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Archivedfrom the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
- ^ McLamore 2017, pp. 416–418
- ^ "WATCH VIDEO CLIPS: Review: Fierce felines leap onto Sugden stage in 'Cats'". Naples Daily News. 11 August 2010. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
- ^ Kay, Lauren Phoenix (30 November 2016). "What's a Jellicle Cat? Backstage at the Broadway Revival". Dance Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 March 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2019.
- ^ a b "Original London Cast List". Really Useful Group. Archived from the original on 15 August 2008. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
- ^ a b "Original Broadway Cast List". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
- ^ a b "1998 Video Cast List". Really Useful Group. Archived from the original on 7 April 2010. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
- ISBN 0-85112-250-7.
- ^ Frankenberger, Lisa (5 March 2010). "'Er gehört auf die Reeperbahn'". Die Tageszeitung (in German). p. 23. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
Print sources
- McLamore, Alyson (2017). Musical Theater: An Appreciation (Second ed.). ISBN 978-1138678682.
- Sternfeld, Jessica (2006). The Megamusical. ISBN 978-0-253-34793-0.