Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer

Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer[1] are fictional characters in T. S. Eliot's 1939 poetry book Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. The Jellicle cat duo are mischievous petty thieves who often cause trouble for their human family. Although originally published as part of a collection, the poem "Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer" was published as a standalone book by Faber and Faber in 2018.[2]

For the British rock band, see Mungo Jerry.
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer as depicted in Cats
First appearanceOld Possum's Book of Practical Cats
Created byT. S. Eliot

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.

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 Ming vases and stealing items from their human family. As identical twins,[3] their owners never know which of the two is responsible for the mischief.[4] Mungojerrie is also mentioned in the poem "Macavity, the Mystery Cat", where he is rumoured to be one of Macavity's agents. They live in Victoria Grove in Kensington, England.[5]

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 Broadway production, in which the song was sung by Mr. Mistoffelees, while the actors playing Coricopat (Rene Clemente) and Etcetera (Christine Langner) danced the song as "dolls" made of junk, brought to life, and appearing out of the boot (trunk) of a car through the magic of Mr. Mistoffelees. In 1987, the Broadway production was re-worked and the song was given back to the characters of Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer, then played by Ray Roderick (who had formerly been the character Carbuckety) and Christine Langner, whose role of Etcetera was replaced by Rumpleteazer.

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.

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

References
  1. Note: in Eliot's original work, the name is spelled "Rumpelteazer".
  2. "Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer". Faber and Faber. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  3. "Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer". Cats the musical (official website). Archived from the original on 25 March 2019. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
  4. Sternfeld 2006, pp. 150–151
  5. Page 22, Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, London 1984
  6. "Cats Audition" (PDF). Vereinigte Bühnen Wien. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  7. "Cast / Vocal Requirements: Cats". The Musical Company. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  8. "Cats". Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  9. McLamore 2017, pp. 416–418
  10. "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.
  11. 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.
  12. "Original London Cast List". Really Useful Group. Archived from the original on 15 August 2008. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  13. "Original Broadway Cast List". Internet Broadway Database. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  14. "1998 Video Cast List". Really Useful Group. Archived from the original on 7 April 2010. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  15. Rice, Jo (1982). The Guinness Book of 500 Number One Hits (1st ed.). Enfield, Middlesex: Guinness Superlatives Ltd. p. 133. ISBN 0-85112-250-7.
  16. Frankenberger, Lisa (5 March 2010). "'Er gehört auf die Reeperbahn'". Die Tageszeitung (in German). Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  • McLamore, Alyson (2017). Musical Theater: An Appreciation (Second Edition). Routledge. ISBN 978-1138678682.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Sternfeld, Jessica (2006). The Megamusical. Indiana University Press. ISBN 978-0-253-34793-0.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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