Welcome!
Hello! In October 2019, HCP will stage the beloved Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, Cats. This is a
huge challenge, but something we are very excited about, and we hope you are too!
On this page you can find out all you need to know about the story, the characters and the
songs! If you wish to audition (which we hope you do) you will need to register using the form
below. Once we have all the registrants we will send out information on how the audition day
will run, what times you will be needed etc.
You can join us for an information evening on July 25th at 7.30pm at St Mark's Church Hall. Auditions will be held on
August 11th at the Regent Centre from Midday onwards. Auditions are open to all ages.
Synopsis
Midnight. Not a sound from the pavement. Suddenly an explosion of music and lights reveals a
larger-than-life junkyard.
Tonight, is the one special night each year when the tribe of Jellicle Cats reunites to
celebrate who they are. They emerge singing of their unique abilities and special traits. All
cats have three different names: the one the family uses daily, a more dignified name, and a
secret name.
Victoria, a young white cat, dances to signal “The Invitation to the Jellicle Ball.” Munkustrap,
a large grey tabby, explains that the Jellicle Cats meet once a year to rejoice. They are
waiting for their leader, the wise Old Deuteronomy, who will choose which of the Jellicle Cats
will journey tonight to the Heaviside layer to be reborn into a new life. And so begins our
introduction to the cats. One by one they step forward to audition for the role, to be chosen to
make the special journey to be reborn.
First we meet Jennyanydots, The Old Gumbie Cat, sleeps and lounges all day long; Rum Tum Tugger, a playful
prankster that the female cats find extremely attractive, and who enjoys being the centre of
attention; Grizabella, The Glamour Cat, who is shunned by the rest of the tribe despite being a
Jellicle Cat and Bustopher Jones, a large “twenty-five pounder,” always clad in signature white
spats.
We next encounter the villainous Macavity as well as Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, a fun-loving,
frolicking team of pranksters who are always in trouble with the family with whom they live. Old
Deuteronomy is the leader of the pack, adored by all but he isn’t the last to arrive, there is
also Great Rumpus Cat, a sleek and powerful feline.
Finally, it is time for the Jellicle Ball, the great annual dance in which all the cats
celebrate. Grizabella appears once more, wanting to rejoin her family and be a part of the
celebration. She is left to contemplate her “Memory” of the time before she left the tribe. She
stretches out her hand behind her, hoping another cat will touch her. She is still not accepted
and, disappointed, slinks off into the night.
After the Jellicle Ball, the cats rest and contemplate “The Moments of Happiness” before
introducing more cats. Gus the Theatre Cat is an aged stage actor who worked with the greatest
actors of his day and Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat introduces himself.
Macavity kidnaps Old Deuteronomy. Demeter and Bombalurina sing what they know of Macavity, whose
evil deeds have resulted in his being dubbed the Napoleon of crime. Macavity returns, disguised
as Old Deuteronomy, but he is exposed and battles with Munkustrap and the other male cats. Tired
and almost defeated, Macavity rigs an electrical explosion that puts out all the lights, leaving
the Jellicles in the dark. But they still have to find Old Deuteronomy. The Rum Tum Tugger calls
upon Mr Mistoffelees, the conjuring cat, to use his magical powers to bring back their leader.
Mistoffelees succeeds in reinstating the lights, locating Old Deuteronomy and showing off his
spectacular magic tricks, including his infamous conjuring turn.
At last the time has come for Old Deuteronomy to make the Jellicle Choice and decide which cat
will be reborn into a new Jellicle life. At that moment, Grizabella reappears. Again she recalls
her “Memory” of how things used to be. This time the cats accept her back into the tribe and it
is she who is chosen to Journey to the Heaviside Layer and be reborn.
The Jellicle Ball has come to a conclusion, but first Old Deuteronomy instructs the human
spectators in “The Addressing of Cats.”
Characters
This is a list of the main parts in the show, however we will also be having an ensemble. Each
cat in the ensemble will have their own name and distinctive personality!
Asparagus (Gus)
Bombalurina
Bustopher Jones
Demeter
Grizabella
Griddlebone
Growltiger
Jellylorum
Jennyanydots
Mr. Mistoffelees
Mungojerrie
Munkustrap
Old Deuteronomy
Rumpleteazer
The Rum Tum Tugger
Skimbleshanks
Vocal Requirements
Not all of the cats are singing rolls, though all will be involved in the ensemble singing.
Below is a list of any specific requirements for certain parts.
Grizabella the Glamour Cat—Soprano with a powerful belt to E-flat
Old Deuteronomy—High Baritone/Tenor
Rum Tum Tugger—Rock Tenor
Munkustrap—Baritone
Mistoffelees (The Magician)—High Baritone
Gus/Growltiger/Bustopher Jones—Operatic Tenor
Jennyanydots and Jellylorum—Soprano
Skimbleshanks—High Baritone/Tenor
Bombalurina—Strong high belt
Demeter—Strong high belt
Munogjerrie and Rumpleteazer—Strong high Baritone
Ensemble
We will also be having auditions to be members of the ensemble, this will also be August 11th.
Please still register to audition using the form below.
Songs in the show
We know what you are thinking : "I know of CATS, but what songs are actually in the show?", Well we've
got you covered!
Below is a list of all the songs in order!
Act 1
Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats |
Company |
The Naming of Cats |
Company |
The Old Gumbie Cat |
Munkustrap, Jellylorum, Demeter, Bombalurina, Gumbie, Girls |
The Rum Tum Tugger |
Tugger, Quaxo, Bombalurina, Company |
Entry of Grizabella |
Grizabella, Demeter, Bombalurina |
Bustopher Jones |
Bustopher Jones, Jennyanydots, Bombalurina, Jellylorum, Men |
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer |
Mungojerrie, Rumpleteazer |
Old Deuteronomy |
Tantomile, Coricopat, Tugger, Munkustrap, Deuteronomy, Company |
The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles |
Munkustrap, Rumpleteazer, Carbuckety, Mungojerrie, Deuteronomy, Company |
The Song of the Jellicles |
Deuteronomy, Munkustrap, Victoria, Jemima, George, Alonzo, Carbuckety, Skimble, Bill Bailey,
Quaxo, Admetus, Gus, Demeter, Bombalurina, Gumbie, Jellylorum, Cassandra, Company
|
The Jellicle Ball |
Company |
Grizabella: The Glamour Cat |
Grizabella |
Memory |
Grizabella |
Act 2
The Moments of Happiness |
Deuteronomy, Jemima, Company |
Gus: The Theatre Cat |
Gus, Jellylorum |
Growltiger’s Last Stand Part 1 |
Growltiger, Crew, Tugger, Alonzo, Siamese, Griddlebone, Munkustrap, Skimble, Mistoffelees
|
The Ballad of Billy McCaw |
Gus, Griddlebone, Ensemble |
Growltiger’s Last Stand Part 2 |
Growltiger, Coricopat, Siamese, Company |
Gus: The Theatre Cat (Reprise) |
Gus |
Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat |
Deuteronomy, Rumpleteazer, Skimble, Jellylorum, Company |
Macavity: The Mystery Cat |
Macavity, Demeter, Bombalurina, Girls |
Mr. Mistoffelees |
Tugger, Company |
Memory |
Grizabella, Jemima, Munkustrap |
The Journey to the Heaviside Layer |
Company |
The Ad-Dressing of Cats |
Deuteronomy, Company |
Finale |
Company |
Audition Materials
Here are the audition materials we will be using. For the non-singing named parts, such as Victoria, you
will be asked to sing the appropriate Ensemble audition piece.
Information for Auditionees
Character Description
Ensemble Female
Ensemble Male
Bombalurina
Bustopher Jones/Gus
Demeter
Grizabella
Jellyorum
Jennyanydots
Mr Mistoffelees
Mungojerrie
Munkustrap
Old Deuteronomy
Rum Tum Tugger
Rumpleteazer
Skimbleshanks
Syllabub
Victoria/Cassandra
Register to Audition
Stay in the loop
You can sign up to be informed about future auditions
here.