#but like misto joining in or being the only one

[demelzathemer]

Tuggofelees The Greatest Showman AU

I'm just gonna dump my thoughts because I'm currently having a spout of insanity about these cats. And YOU KNOW A Million Dreams is a kitten Misto song. He's had this deep inner world since he was tiny, discovering his magical powers and all that he can do. He didn't have anyone who could understand what he was going through so he'd spent his nights alone in the world of his own, wondering and dreaming about the day he could help everyone with his abilities.

Other cats notice he's different so he's becoming ostracized after growing up. There are magical cats beside him and they have formed a circus of their own, still Jellicle cats but different. Misto joins them to hone his skills but can't find anyone to relate to even amongst them.

Then there's Mr. Popular "I do what I want" Rum Tum Tugger who has a high social standing to maintain but does so more out of vanity than necessity. (Maybe they were friends as kittens, A Million Dreams is a duet after all. Maybe he wonders where's that little tuxedo had disappeared into and goes to look for him.) He discovers Misto's powers by accident after sneaking in while he was practising and is instantly captivated by the sight. Misto is so fine after all!! Beautiful from the top of his ears to the tip of his tail!!

Misto doesn't like that the arrogant celebrity is stalking him, he's used to his own space by now but there's no stopping the curious cat once he's gotten something in his head. They circle around each other for a while, where we end up in Rewrite the Stars. It sounds romantic but the lyrics are actually pretty brazen which is so much like Tugger!! "I know you want me" damn that's direct.

"So who can stop me if I decide you're my destiny?"

No one, that is. Tugger goes into a monologue in his Rum Tum Tugger manner about hell, I like you and you like me so what's the problem?? ("Say you were made to be mine"..)

"You're the one I was meant to find," because Rum Tum Tugger only likes what he finds for himself.

But Misto is reluctant and scared about dragging Tugger down with him. He admits it works when they're alone but it's different in front of the others. What if Tugger becomes ostracized as well because of him? Misto doesn't want that.

He's also understandably worried about the loyalty of the known womanizer. His heart would break if Tugger changed his mind again like he does, and loses interest in him.

"How can you say you'll be mine?"

In the end Misto rejects him and goes back to his solitary life.

Then Old Deuteronomy is gone and Tugger goes back to find Mistoffelees. He's the one who believes in Misto more than anyone. He convinces him to try one of his most ambitious conjurings to save Old Deuteronomy and earn the approval of the other cats.

Rum Tum Tugger has no doubt that Mistoffelees can do it. He will even support him through it and make sure that everyone knows just how amazing and phenomenal Mistoffelees is!! So there goes the song and of course Misto is breathtaking in the spotlight and loving every second of it. The plan is perfect because when Misto believes in himself, his magic can't fail. With the power of Tugger's unshaking love backing him up he can easily conjure the beloved leader back to them.

After the spectacle Mistoffelees is a celebrated member of the Jellicle cats and there's no one who doesn't adore him. Rum Tum Tugger sweeps him off his feet to show off his love and there's nothing stopping them from being togerher anymore.

I might add more thoughts later but that's all for now I just made myself happy thinking about them

[millenari]

if you aren't tired of "bitching" about the broadway revival, what are your thoughts on the changes to tugger's number? i find a lot of the characterization in the choreography got destroyed but i'd like to hear your take

My first problem with Tugger's number happens before the song even starts.

It's that little bit they changed, where Munk sings the 'Jellicles ask because Jellicles dare / who will it be?' and then Tugger echoes him for the start of his song. I get why they added that bit (to strengthen the plot, to remind the audience that the Jellicle Choice is the point of all of this) but I've mentioned why I dislike the idea that the cats are ALL competing for the Choice before, and of all of the cats I think reasonably Tugger ought to be least interested in the honor. So having him echo Munk as if indicating interest in being the Choice is bleh to me.

Believe it or not I don't hate Tugger's new number… I don't like it, but I don't dislike it as much as Jenny's number. Given that John Partridge's Tugger in particular is so iconic & beloved, nothing they were going to do was going to satisfy me (or most of us tbh) and I admire that they tried to go at Tugger's character at another angle instead of trying to blindly recreate something they knew they wouldn't be able to recreate.

That being said. I don't like it. In Cats, the way a cat moves is indicative of their personality. The styles they're assigned speaks of their nature, I mentioned that in the Gumbie post: Jenny has tap because it has more of a militant vibe than flowy ballet. Victoria's very romantic and sensual subplot does get flowy ballet. The dances/songs that Bomba leads are all jazzy and sensual and provocative like her. I could go on. Tugger in particular is based off of the glam rockers of the 70s and 80s. He's a rockstar, and like those rockstar figures he's sexual, provocative, unapologetic, wild, fierce, ambiguously bisexual--

He's confident and horny. Let’s put it at that. And the way he moves and dances reflects that. He doesn't crawl much, (In 98 he doesn't crawl ever I don’t think), he struts when he moves, his 'default' position has his hands on his belt right near his crotch, like a solid 30% of his choreo in Lynne's version is hip thrusts… That's how he's been characterized for a long time. In the Bway revival, they take him in a different, less slutty direction.

& to be frank, you usually would have immediately lost me at 'less slutty' but I'll admit that some of the heavy-eye-contact-plus-pelvic-thrust elements of 98 are a little. Weird. So I do protest removing the sexuality from his number (not only because I'm pro-horny and not only because I respect Gillian Lynne's horndog vision but also because I think it's vastly unfair that the Macavity number is barely touched but this one is toned down pretty aggressively. Even in the Bombadance the female dance is present and just as sexual (you know, the bending over part) but the bit where the boys join in is pretty much removed. Why are women shaking their asses as objects to be admired acceptable but abstract depictions of actual sex/sexual elements aren't? Ugh.) buuuuut I see why they would have wanted to change it. Less slutty doesn't inherently mean less good, after all, right? And he is still a little slutty, it's not like they Kids Bop'd him.

But then they also add this element of insecurity to him. Where original Tugger is oftentimes unshakable, Revival!Tugger tries to slap the shit out of Munk and Alonzo for delivering the 'terrible bore' line (And usually I prefer Misto having this line but plenty of productions give it to these two instead so whatever), he hisses at the group of cats sliding up on him near the end, and you can see him kind of primping in the background when Old Deut is announced, like he's nervous.

This… is fine, I guess. Giving your characters more depth is usually not a bad thing, but I protest Tugger + insecurity on the grounds that

A) Bomba and Demeter's (the main Female Horny Cats) sole interesting skill is apparently flirting, and yet Tugger (the main Male Horny Cat) has to have all these hidden depths, and

B) this element in addition to how they seemed to be deliberately casting (for the bway revival AND us Tour 6) Tugger as younger-sounding and also kind of sillier, he comes off more to me as somebody's lost fratboy who needs therapy instead of a famous star. And it really leaves me questioning why all these characters are supposed to like him so much when, again, he kind of gives the impression of being a bratty frat boy.

So yes, I agree on the characterization. I admire that they tried something new, but I just don't really care for what they tried, and I think the changes actively work against the core of the character, which is: the obnoxious horny guy with so much charisma and confidence that he keeps pulling anyways.

But enough on Tugger, onto the actual song.

I really like the layout of the classic Tugger number because everyone is pretty finely split up by how they think of him. You've got:

his baby fangirls on his left doing their cute little fangirl dance

his hornier, older fans just to his right (Plato in the front) who are doing a dance that's a bit more provocative

his backup buddies on the far right who seem to be less attracted and more deferential to him

a group of cats just behind him doing a dance that strikes me as neither particularly sexual nor particularly platonic (who melt into the previous two groups during certain sections of the song)

the elders in the far back, watching on with disapproval

Bomba, Munk, and Misto, who each watch on alone(ish), indicating perhaps that each of them has a unique relationship to Tugger there.

(Sometimes there are additional watching cats, depending on how the number is set up. In 98, Alonzo also watches him alone, as well as Cori).

But I love how after only a minute or so of watching, you can tell what the majority of the cast thinks of Tugger, and who agrees with who. It's super efficient storytelling. In Broadway Revival Tugger, pretty much everyone is one of Tugger's backup dancers. There are some elements of Elder Disapproval (Jenny standing up to him, Skimble trying to shoo others away) and you can see some sections of the dance are the girls fawning over him while some are the boys backup dancing for him, but they're real quick. The song has a lot of [group of cats do a dance near Tugger] [group of cats move away] [Tugger spends a couple seconds there just kind of doing nothing] [another group of cats come up] [repeat]. Compared to the classic, there's not a lot going on, and yet it still feels more disjointed.

So anyways, the song starts, Tugger poses for Google Earth, (always taking pictures), some cats come and go & backup dance for/with him, Alonzo and Munk do the terrible bore and nearly get slapped for it, Jenny and Skimble try and fail to interrupt, and then Bomba's section happens.

I don't like this part especially; it bothers me that Tugger and Bomba don't really dance with each other during her section. They just sing their lines while staring at each other and kind of walking around. Not only does it feel kind of boring, but I really love that butt-to-butt dance they do in the original, and it makes me so sad that it was removed. [smacks fist against desk] it was SO bisexual. So, so bisexual…. Plus having Bomba kneel in front of Tugger for the following 'nah' is so strange, because honestly it looks more sexual than Tugger dipping her, and makes it way less obvious that he's rejecting her after (potentially) leading her on. I'm not sure a first-time viewer watching from far away would even realize he's saying no to her. Also this section includes the entire(ish) cast lining up behind Tugger in two different ways over the course of like 15 seconds. Why.

Then Tugger admires himself in the mirror after 'Horrible muddle'— which is fine, but I like it less in conjuncture with the self-esteem thing. After that comes the little dance break, which is my favorite part of the whole song.

First, I love having Plato and Victoria doing a little dance in the background, it kind of builds up to their later dance and I think the idea of them bonding over liking Tugger is the cutest. Second, I love the Tuggoff dance that happens at the same time.

It's weird, because a lot of the time I look at the bway changes and I can't really figure out if the new choreo means anything or is trying to say anything the way the original often was. (Like that screenshot I posted just a couple paragraphs up. Why is everyone lining up behind Tugger? To show that they're all on his 'side' in regard to his interaction with Bomba? Why do they do it twice? The answer is probably just 'because it looked cool'. Tragically.) But this little Tuggoff dance is weird because it’s one of the few sections where I can easily make a guess as to what they were trying to say do/say with the choreo. I talked about it in the tags on this post, I won't type it all up again.

Tugger deliberately passing by his attention-hungry fans and grabbing Misto chilling off by himself, and then pulling him into the literal spotlight is just so on point to their relationship I made a post about the same concept not too long ago. Like this whole idea of Misto being the only one to give Tugger the space he needs and Tugger returning that sentiment by giving Misto all of the attention and spotlight he needs, is just. 10/10. No notes.

After that point I don't have much commentary. Everyone dances together for the end: I don't love that part but that's mostly just me not liking the overarching style of the new choreo than anything to do with this number in particular. I also don't like the new ending but I can't really pin down why, so I think it's just me not liking change? I'm not sure.

So yeah, don't love it, don't hate it. I have to say though: I think it's kind of incredible how this choreo has already aged in comparison to the original. The bit after the mirror where Tugger basically nae-naes makes me want to beat my head against the wall due to Cringe, and that choreo is only like 8 years old! The original is nearly 40, and it still stands up fine! It's just wild how much effort they put into making Cats 'modern' and before a decade has passed those changes are already dated!

(Though I think the cats taking a 'selfie' with the big prop camera at the end was kind of hilarious. Maybe we can have some modernization.)

[jelliclekay]

Headcanon Masterpost

Alright, so this is mostly for myself but I figured I'd post it. I think I made a post somewhat similar to this before, but my headcanons have changed dramatically since I joined the fandom. Here are (most) of my headcanons for Cats the Musical, including age headcanons and relationship headcanons. I don't really do AUs, so everything here is how I view the world of Cats.

Note: I tried to focus on canon characters only here, but some OCs are pretty vital to my headcanons and will be mentioned if they are connected to canon cats. But just know that if I included my OCs, this would be twice as long.

I headcanon almost every canon character as bi with a few being aroace, and everyone in the Jellicle tribe is poly.

Design Headcanons:

I'm boring, and therefore I use London designs for my headcanons. I have several Broadway designs as separate characters. My Alonzo is B&W Alonzo, while Broadway Golden Lonz is an OC named Lorenzo. Plato is London Admetus, while Admetus is Broadway Plato. Jemima, Sillabub and Sylvani are all separate characters as well. Pounce is London Carbucketty, and Carbucketty is based off Broadway Pounce/Swing cat. (Blame 1998 for the naming choice of the characters okay)

Age Headcanons

Ages I divide into 4 groups. In my world, Jellicle have to be the human age equivalent of 17/18 to attend the Ball. Any Jellicles under that age usually stay with trusted cats close to the Junkyard for the night.

Oldies: The oldest members of the tribe. The Jellicle Choice is almost always picked from this group. Cats in this age group are Old Deuteronomy, Gus, Grizabella, Bustopher Jones, Asparagus, Jellylorum, Skimbleshanks & Jennyanydots.

Adults: The cats in this group are usually the ones tasked with protecting the tribe from potential threats, planning the Jellicle Balls themselves, and generally are seen as the ones in charge. Cats in this age group are: Macavity, Munkustrap, Coricopat, Tantomile, Demeter, Alonzo, Bombalurina, Tugger, Cassandra, Mistoffelees, Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer.

Young Adults: A separate group for only three cats really. This group usually does the pas de deux every year with a few exceptions. Cats in this group are: Plato, Admetus, and Victoria.

Kitten: The youngest group, but are still hold enough to attend the Ball for the first time. Cats in this group are: Tumble, Pounce, Carbucketty, Jemima, Sillabub, Sylvani, Electra, Etcetera and George.

Relationship Headcanons

Familial:

Old Deuteronomy is the father of Macavity, Munkustrap, Tugger and George. Munkustrap's mother is Grizabella, but she left the tribe when he was very young. Tugger's mother is a Queen named Tali. However, Tali was very sick after Tugger was born and had to leave the tribe for a bit, so Tugger was also raised by Jenny and Jelly.

Gus is the father of Jellylorum and Asparagus.

Skimbleshanks is the father of Rumpleteazer.

Jemima and Sillabub are the biological daughters of Demeter and Macavity, but are raised by Demeter, Alonzo and Munkustrap.

Bombalurina was orphaned at the Junkyard as a kitten and was raised by Grizabella before she left. Sylvani is the biological daughter of Bombalurina and Macavity.

Coricopat and Tantomile are twins, and just like Old Deut have lived many past lives.

Misto and Victoria are half-siblings. Bustopher Jones is Misto's uncle.

Romantic

Jenny, Jelly, Skimble and Bustopher Jones are in a polycule together.

Old Deut was former mates with Grizabella, and current mates with Tali.

Macavity was former mates with Demeter and Bombalurina.

Tugger, Bombalurina and Misto are in a polycule. Tugger is also mates with Rumpleteazer and Artemis.

Munkustrap, Demeter and Alonzo are in a polycule.

Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer are mates. Rumpleteazer is also mates with Tugger and Victoria.

Plato and Victoria are mates. Victoria is also mates with Rumpleteazer.

Admetus and Sylvani are mates.

Etectera and George are mates.

Sillabub and Carbucketty are mates.

Other Headcanons:

Macavity was ousted from the tribe years before the show's Ball. Demeter left the Junkyard with Macavity, but left to protect the kittens she had with Macavity. Alonzo is a former Macavity hench cat who also left Macavity with Demeter. Macavity took many of the tribe's toms with him when he left, all who became hench cats. The only cat who left and returned back is Lorenzo.

Bombalurina left the tribe shortly after Demeter returns after being deceived and seduced by Macavity.

I interpret the "Jellicle Cats meet once a year" line to simply include those cats who don't live in the Junkyard year round, but most of the Jellicles do live in the Junkyard full time. This includes the cats wearing collars and are mentioned to have owners. I just prefer to consume Cats with all the tribe living together all year round outside of the Jellicle Ball.

Old Deut, Macavity, Tanto, Cori, Misto and Jemima all have magic powers of some sort. Old Deut, Cori, Tanto and Jemima's magic is more inwards and intuitive, while Macaivty and Misto's magic is more physical and showy.

Several of the cats are Protectors, and these cats go on daily patrols to ensure the tribe is safe from any outside threats. Munkustrap is the leader, with Alonzo and Bombalurina being second and third in charge respectfully.

Jenny and Jelly are both trained in medicine and assist any cats who are injured, as well as helping cats who are expecting kittens.

[cassandra-has-moonlit-eyes]

Cats, Stuttgart 04.02.2023 14:30 and 19:30

It’s the remix!

So, first things first: I woke up at four o’clock in the morning to see this wonderful show two times on the same the and one time on the next day. So disclaimer: I was tired and kind of exhausted and stressed out because the actors were going into the audience, so it could be that I saw things differently or my memory broke after being awake for too long. None the less I loved every second I spent there. I wouldn’t see two shows on the same day ever again but I’m glad I did it. Also sorry for the contant time tense switches but I can’t be bothered to descide in which tense I want to write this.

Following text is a mix of both shows. I once sat second row and once first row, so I was able to see the show from both sides, once from left and once from right.

I couldn’t find a cast list, but I think I saw the following actors on this day. ! means I’m certain, ? means I’m not certain and ??? means ???

Alonzo: Sebastian Goffin (!), Bill Bailey: Aaron Hunt (!), Bombalurina: Kayleigh Thadani (!), Gus: Hal Fowler (!), Carbucketty: ????, Cassandra: Erin Gisele Chapman (!), Coricopat: Shakeel Kimotho (!), Demeter: Francis Dee (!), Grizabella: Aimee Hodnett (!), Jellylorum: Anna Campkin (?), Jemima: Lottie Stephen (!), Jennyanydots: Sarah-Marie Maxwell (!), Admetus/Macavity: Aaron Elijah (!), Mungojerrie: Harry Robinson (!), Munkustrap: Russel Dickson (!), Old Deuteronomy: Connor McAllister (???), Mistoffelees: Liam Mower (!!!), Rum Tum Tugger: Daniel Timoney (?), Rumpleteazer: Ella Kemp (!), Skimbleshanks: Freddie Clements (???), Tantomile: Milan Cacacie (!), Victoria: Maiya Hikasa (!).

So, as you see, lot of swings and covers. Additional to this cast Carrie Willis was on stage too. She wore the “BabyGrizz” costume. I will refer to her as Grey Cat when writing this “review”. Different from Vienna I looked a lot at the Cats who were singing at the moment.

Act 1

First cat I saw was Mistoffelees with his green eyes. He was running infront of the stage looking at the audience. This and him getting Old Deut later on are the only two occasions he goes into the audience (aka lava). I was very exhausted but as soon as Demeter stepped on stage I was smiling and happy to be here. During the first number I was mostly looking at who was playing who and I was so happy when Grey Cat stepped out because I was hoping on seeing a female swing.

Bill is best trapez boy.

During the Naming on the Cats Tugger stared directly in my direction. It really seemed like he was directly looking into my eyes. I liked him, very catlike in his staring and movements. The second time I was the man over there (again) and was stared at by Munkustrap and Gus (Munkustrap was so creepy in a good way). 

When everybody was greating each other you could see that Demeter was very stressed out, but she joined the Gumbie Cat song with a bright smile.

I love Jenny in this production. Sarah’s facial expressions are amazing. She portrays Jenny as show cat through and through. The tap dancing seems a little bit more “military” than in Vienna, I think she calls the cockroaches company (like in regement) and tells them to salute.

When Tugger comes in she, Misto and Deme are not happy, but Bomba was really excited and happy, as well as the younger Cats. Admetus couldn’t wait to present the ball to him. Daniel is a very good looking Tugger and I really liked his make up and expressions. He was so much fun. After Bomba’s line she did a follow me gesture with her finger and he did follow her. When he said no, she didn’t seem too sad about it and shrugged it off, joining the dance again with a smile, but Bill none the less laughed at her for being rejected.

(Also, I had one first row ticket and I was so stressed when Tugger went down to pick somebody to dance but I crossed my arms and legs to signal: HELL NO! Also, Daniel seemed very polite when choosing both times and he picked a woman who was there with her partner. He said something to the partner but he talked so fast I couldn’t understand anything even though they were sitting next to me.)

Grizabella enters the stage. Tugger and Bomba are not happy, Munkustrap seems kind of sad, Demeter confused and sad. I love how Victoria and Jemima just walk up to her like it’s the most normal thing to greet her like they greeted every other cat before but the adults react so much, it confuses them.

It also seems like Munkustrap is protecting Grizabella from Bucky, Billy and Admetus. Skimble sits on the left side of the stage, protecting Jemima while Jenny sits with Victoria, Rumpleteazer and Mungojerrie on the right side of the stage. She seemed very concerned and checked especially on Teazer and Jerrie, but Munkustrap also walked up to them, took Teazers face in his hands and seemed to check if they were alright with the situation. Rumpleteazer und Mungojerrie were mostly looking down. They didn’t seem to know what to do with the situation.

When Demeter is not allowed to touch Grizabella, Grizabella looks after her but before she starts singing, she turns around to sing at Munkustrap. She seemed angry and sad, not really weak but very powerful.

Bustopher Jones is so much fun. I started with looking at the girls. Jenny and Bomba were acting some of the lyrics out with dancing and gestures. F.ex. Bomba “showed” her leg while singing about the trousers and Jenny was clawing Jelly’s back while singing about his coat. The boys were so much chaos in the meantime. The older ones kind of had to sort the younger ones in a row. Bustopher Jones seemed to be in a hurry and showed Misto is pocket watch, like he was saying I need to go on, but Misto insisted on him staying so he sat down on the top hat.

At this moment the boys and girls are all sorted in two groups. Cori seemed to want to sit with the girls but Jenny gestured him to sit with Bustopher, so he sat before him, Skimble was sitting on his other side, and listened to him. At one time during the song Bustopher Jones “knights” Skimbleshanks with his spoon, and Cori was like, me too, me too, so Bustpher knights him too. Cori was very proud, turned around to Billy and looked at him, like: Look, I was knighted by Bustopher and you weren’t! He was very proud and cocky.

I find the first Macavity scare (pre M&R scare) very interesting. The last four Cats on the stage are Alonzo, the twins and Munkustrap. Alonzo leaves first, Munkustrap seems disapointed. The twins show him which way to go. He takes a deep breath and walks out on the right side of the stage, it seemed like he was getting ready to chase Macavity away while Cori and Tanto leave on the other side.

Mungojerrie and Rumpletezer entrence. The number is fun as always.

Old Deut enters. Tugger and Munkustrap really seemed to like each other during this number. Also, when everybody was rejoicing Demeter had a cute interaction with Bill and she was smiling but then the next Macavity scare happens and suddenly she was stressed again. The cats leave the stage.

Munkustrap is in full on protector mode now. He stands on the right side of the stage, monitoring the audience. There was a cute moment, when Jemima walked up to him and nuzzeled his side as to say, come, nothing to worry, dance with us. For a moment he was still tense but then he walked back to dance and sing with Victoria, Jemima and old Deut. I love the Ball so much. It is so much fun to watch. On one moment Old Deut goes down and walks before the audience which confused me and broke my focus. He kind of blocked the view to the stage which I didn’t like at all, because I love the dance so much. But it is what it is.

This time I looked who was center in the end (in Vienna it was Electra), here it is Jemima! There was so much joy on her face, she smiled a lot.

Also funny, when Griz comes back at the end of the ball, Victoria doesn’t want to leave. Cassandra even passes her when leaving the stage. Victoria really feels for the old lady, she really wants to touch her. Cassandra is not having it.

Grizabella sings her first Memory and then the first Act ends.

Act 2

I personally really didn’t like that they went into the audience because I was always concious of where my legs were so nobody would fall over them, but at the end of the intermission I could hear people laughing from behind. So if you sit further back I think it’s really cool that you get the chance to see them up close too. One time Cassandra passed me on her way to the stage and she was the proudest most beautiful, the other time it was Skimble. Sadly I didn’t see what he did but people laughed. His facial expressions were gold.

We also had the Demeter an Munkustrap flirting with each other at the beginning of the second act. Demeter was very flirty and smiled and him, but at the same time she seemed kind of not yet. Munkustrap was VERY interested in her, but when she showed him her shoulder he proceeded to stare into the audience again. Demeter also looked very sad during the moments of happiness.

To the theatre cat: Deme is now cuddeling with Alonzo, I support. Back in June I already liked Hal Flower a lot. I would categorize his Gus as an entertainer. He is very fun and engaging. I also love looking at the kittens when he sings about the cats these days jumping through the hoop. Cassandra crossed her arms infront of her body and looked so offended. Cori covered over Bucky and put his hands over his years so poor bebe wouldn’t hear the mean old man. Tanto looked at Bombalurina and Bomba looked back at her like: Yeah, he’s talking about you. It is just so much fun.

Also this Gus seems less older and frail (?) than Vienna Gus. I really do like the Pekes and the Pollicles here too. Bill and Rumpleteazer are too early in their part as lead Peke and Pollicle and Gus is just like nonononono and shoos them away again. I love how Munk plays the police dog similiar like he does it in the original choreo. They do not sing the dogs out of every nation part and the part with the scottish dogs. The dogs are very scared of the Rumpus Cat but all in all compared to the older version of the number I think that it lacks dynamic, if that makes sense. They get the costumes and then most of the time they just sit around in them. But what was really funny was Cori throwing a shoe at Mungojerrie in the beginning of the number and Mungojerrie didn’t catch it. Munkustrap was next to him and he looked so done with his chaotic children.

Skimbleshanks was gold. I really liked the actor a lot (I think it was Clements). It’s really hard to put into words but he seemed like somebody who knows that he’s really cool but at the same time doesn’t take himself too serious.

Rumpleteazer tells Billy to misbehave and Cass is quick to tell on him. In the second row Mungojerrie tells a joke to Jemi and Jemi to Victoria and when both girls laugh Mungojerrie tells on them. Very naughty.

When they build the train, Misto is holding the light and Tantomile and Rumpleteazer were sitting next to him. Misto and Tanto waved in my direction and I was so confused for a moment I nearly waved back at them lol.

When Macavity appears at the end Cassandra hides behind Skimble.

I loved the Macavity number today. Dee was absolutly amazing. Acting and dancing wise she seems very torn between yeah I had good times with him and no that cat is disgusting. She smiled and then the smile waniched and the disgust/fear came back. Absolutly amazing. I also love that she frees herself from Macavity. Afterward she covers at the side of the stage and Bomba put an arm over her shoulder. I also loved Bomba, she had more of a deeper more rhaspy voice compared to the principle Bomba.

I love love love the fight so much. Munkustrap is so dramatic. Here Munkustrap and Macavity are the same hight which looks very good when they are dancing next to each other. When Munk was hurt Cori, Jenny and Tanto are by his side but when Demeter comes, they move back so Deme and Munk can have their moment. Bomba is the first one to look after Alonzo but then she gets up to fight Macavity off together with the others.

 During the light scene they were so close to each other it seemed like they would nearly kiss. During Misto they sat next to each other and were holding hands.

I really loved the Misto number again. Liam Mower is amazing. More on him on my other review. Cassandra hides her face behind her hand, she really doesn’t want to be chosen and when she is chosen, she seems kind of defiant (trotzig?) but when Tugger tells her to go back she does.

I was really so confused with them going into the audience but I had two “interactions” with Bomba. First time she “hit” me on the arm and when I was sitting first row she came down and sang to me and the people around me. She really wanted us to know that Mistoffelees is absolutly amazing.

At the end Grizabella comes again. Hodnett doesn’t play her old and broken and more proud. I don’t know if it was the lighting but her eyes were shining as if she had tears in them. She is a really beautiful Griz and I liked her singing a lot but from the acting I prefer Grizabellas who seem really hurt and weak, she seemed to strong and well in my opinion.

The second cat taking her hands after Victoria is Skimble (?). Munkustrap played so well but hard to describe, unsure at first but when Grizabella nearly falls afterwards he supports her with his hands so she doesn’t fall.

Some other things I noticed in no order: 

Admetus is very popular: Vicky, Tanto, Misto, Billy ... they all seemed to really like him.

Towards the end of the play, Cori was sitting on Tugger and Tugger was holding him.

Deme had some cute interactions with Bill and Cass.

All in all, Cori and Tanto are played very young here as well as Mungo and Rumple so the whole group seems more chaotic and youthful, which is really fun. The “kittens” are basically: Jemima, Victoria, Bill and Bucky, Cori, Tanto, Mungo and Rumple as well as Cass and Admetus during some scenes and Tugger at times, so like half of the cast. I don’t know if Liam also tries to play Misto younger but he interacts a lot with the adults (especially Skimble, Munk, Jelly, Gus, ...) and because he is some sort of second in command after Munkustrap he didn’t seem like a kitten to me (though he does have is chaos moments). Munkustrap, Skimble, Jenny, Deme and Bomba all interact a lot with the “kittens”, same for Mistoffelees. Jelly and Gus more stick to each other. Jenny seems to look after Mungo and Rumple a a lot, same for Munkustrap, while Skimble and Misto had a lot of interactions with Jemima (but more to that in my other review). Munkustrap also listens to Tanto and Cori.

While Vienna seemed more like the usual “horny cats” meet stereotype this tour seems more like a family meeting. The “orgy” does not exist here, It’s not even a cuddle pile if you ask me. They more lie next to each other. Tugger, Bomba and Alonzo “toned down the sexyness” a lot compared to Vienna. But I really enjoyed it!  There were some interesting dynamics here, different from Vienna but really fun and positive.

[strawberry-jellicle]

2,3,5,11,12 demexbombaxmunxkxlonzxcass

OH BLESS!! OF COURSE!!

2. What does the bed situation look like?

One massive cuddle pile in the family nest!! Munk is usually smothered in the middle, but they all take turns! Although when their kittens were younger, Munk and Demeter were the main ones in the kitten nest (again all five of them took turns, but M&D were the main ones until the kittens were weaned off milk from both parents)

3. Who fights more about stupid things and who ends up having to break up their childish arguments?

Alonzo is usually the one starting stuff with his conspiracy theories and infinite questions he bugs his partners with. He usually ends up arguing with Cass and Bomba, and Munk's the one to break it up bc Demeter is too busy finding the situation hilarious everytime

5. Who do people usually think is the third wheel?

Sadly Cassandra 😔 but really only for the fact that Munk and Alonzo were together as a couple publicly before Alonzo (and Munk ofc) stole Cass' heart with how batshit goofy but genuinely sweet he is. (Demeter and Bomba were a couple before coming to the junkyard and joining the polycule)

11. Who has to drag their partner(s) out to be social?

Demeter is always dragging Cass around to interact with cats more. She respects her mate's boundaries, Cass being an introvert and all, but to quote Demeter: "You need more friends! And no, Mistoffelees being your only friend doesn't count! He's great and all, darling, but you really need to get out more." To which Cass usually just kisses Demeter and tells her she's taking baby steps to making friends 🥺

12. Who has to kill the spiders? And who refuses to even get near them?

Bomba is one of the only ones who will go near spiders. Alonzo claims he isn't afraid of them bc growing up around his mother's roach and beetle students make him invincible.... but as soon as he sees one he's climbing up Bomba asking her to release the spider outside. Cass on the other hand likes to collect spiders and show them off to Misto, sometimes they make the spiders fight (.... losing spider gets eaten by either Plato or Tumble)

[the-cat-at-the-theatre-door]

Unpopular opinion(?): The "terrible bore" line is better coming from Munkustrap and Alonzo and I will die on this hill

[sevenkittensinatrenchcoat]

Vienna-Based Mistos and Their Obsessions With Bustopher’s Tail

So, all Vienna-based Mistos and Skimbles have the same act going during the first verse of Bustopher Jones.

Bustopher Jones always has some amount of chaos going on in the background, but it takes different forms in different productions. In London-based shows, Munkustrap takes charge, Misto assists him, and one or the other is low-key freaking out the entire time. In Broadway-based shows, Misto and Skimble compete for Bustopher’s attention and cause enough trouble that one wonders why Munkustrap doesn’t intervene. Vienna-based shows are similar to Broadway in that they focus on Misto and Skimble, but the dynamic is actually pretty different.

We begin with Misto sensing Bustopher’s arrival and getting excited:

Amsterdam Misto does some miming to tell everyone who’s here.

Paris Misto has a very sweet smile

Vienna Misto literally jumps for joy

Zurich Misto does what I call a Kitten Slide. Sometimes, kittens will slide around on the floor while crawling when really excited about something. Misto goes into Happy Kitten Mode when Bustopher shows up.

Skimble joins Misto and they usually greet Bustopher together with Most Gentlemanly Bows, but once again, Vienna and Paris are confusing.

Anyway, Misto just randomly seems to have the idea to pull Bustopher’s tail. Skimble notices him approaching Bustopher from behind and stops him.

Amsterdam Misto looks like he’s about to pounce

Paris Misto looks sneaky behind Bustopher, but it’s not clear what he’s up to, so Skimble appears to be overreacting.

Vienna is pretty straightforward

Zurich is pretty much the same as Vienna at this point, but there’s an added detail. Like with Gumbie Cat, Zurich is ever-so-slightly different. When Bustopher first appears, Misto and Skimble bow:

Then, Misto goes off into the corner and does another bow

He’s practicing his technique. But, Bustopher didn’t see it! Misto is mute, so he’s not sure how to get Bustopher’s attention. Pulling Bustopher’s tail is like tugging on someone’s sleeve and Misto doesn’t know that that’s considered impolite.

Vienna, Amsterdam, and Paris Mistos don’t have a clear reason why they want to pull Bustopher’s tail, but Zurich has this little background detail that gives him one.

Anyway, Skimble stops Misto, but when his back is turned, Misto tries again and is far more successful:

Amsterdam Misto is quick and proud that he managed to pull that off.

Paris Misto is really vague. He appears to briefly touch Bustopher’s tail, but Skimble reacts as if he pulled it. Maybe that’s Paris’ unique spin on the whole thing. Normally, Skimble is basically playing the straight man here, but in Paris, Misto is still being Bustopher Crazy, but Skimble is overreacting, so they’re on equal footing.

Vienna Misto pretty much tackles Bustopher. Jenny looks slightly concerned.

Skimble told Misto not to pull Bustopher’s tail, but he didn’t say how he was supposed to get his attention without doing that, so Misto goes ahead and does it.

I’ll end this by briefly mentioning how 1998 fits in with all of this. Both the Gumbie Cat opening and the antics during the first verse of Bustopher Jones originated either on Broadway or in Vienna. The only reason they’re in 1998 at all is because they cast a Broadway Misto in a mostly London-based production. Wherever London Misto and Broadway Misto differ, 1998 goes the Broadway route.

The joke with Gumbie Cat is between Mistoffelees and Munkustrap. 1998 had a Broadway Munkustrap as well, so the whole thing went down the same way it did onstage. But, the Bustopher Jones stuff is between Misto and Skimble. London Skimble doesn’t play as big of a role in this number. The result is that you have a Broadway Misto in what is otherwise the London version of Bustopher Jones, where Misto is normally more level-headed. 

This is why when Misto pulls Bustopher’s tail, he’s not really scolded for it. Munkustrap steps in and distracts Bustopher, which is what Skimble usually does after the tail pull, but he’s not quite as frantic and he never tries to stop Misto from pulling Bustopher’s tail in the first place. Munk is being London Munk while standing in for Broadway/Vienna Skimble, but not quite.

[hysperia]

bomba,demeter and munk with b3

Based on @mcnuggyy's set of prompts for polyam-trio art meme and a little inspiration form @sillybub's family portrait. Got a little longer than expected...

"This is the last part we need." The red queen groaned as she heaved the big car battery in it's position." Misto only needs to hook the lights up to this and we're all set for the ball tomorrow night."

Bombalurina sat down on the boot overseeing the junkyard. It was late in the afternoon, she had been working tirelessly with her lover and metamour to get the junkyard ready for the Jellicle ball. A big space had been cleared for the dancing. A tire propped up from where Old Deuteronomy could oversee the proceedings. Festoon lights hung from high points around the clearing to enhance the mood. Mistofelees had ensured Bomba that the car battery he found elsewhere would be enough to power them. She sure hoped so, she had to lug that thing from the other side of the junkyard. Munk couldn't lift it and of course Plato and George were nowhere to be found when some real work was to be done. “Admiring our work?” Demeter hopped on the boot next to Bomba placing her soft hunches firmly againts her lover's and wrapped an arm around her, placing her head on the broad shoulder that she found there. A grey tom appeared from around the corner. “Scoot over! There surely is place for one more.” He smiled. Munkustrap clambered up and sat next to Demeter. With her golden fur next to the red of her wife on the right and next to the grey of her husband on the left Deme felt happy. It had garnered some odd looks in the beginning, but after a while the tribe became used to the skittish golden cat being joined by two partners. It didn't take long after that before Munkustrap in his turn confessed his love for the black and white tom that caught his eye and his heart. Soon he had joined the constellation. When Jemima was born Alonzo was as much as also dad to the kitten as Bombalurina was also a mom. Deme and Munk were grateful for the help they had bringing up their daughter. “Shouldn't Lonz be back already?” Demeter asked. “He's dropping off Jem to Jenny and Skimble for a sleepover, what did you expect? I'm willing to bet the good side of the bed tonight on it that Skimble has had a wee drop of scotch in his tea and started telling one of his long winded stories.” Bomba answered. “And you know Alonzo, he is too polite to weasel himself out of that.” Munk added. “Or he's stuffing himself with Jenny's cookies.” “Likely both.” Laughed Demeter, the others nodded in agreement. “Well don't just sit there! Get yourself into position! We need to rehearse!” It was the stern high pitched voice of Jellylorum. “I haven't spend all that time making those mice masks for the girls and beetle costumes for the rest for you three to half-ass the performance tomorrow! Remember, we want to surprise Jenny and she deserves a good show.” The three Jellicles slid of the boot and got to the mature queen who had already started her vocal warm ups. She guided them through the whole number. Over and over again. From Munkustrap's slow verses, via the harmony that she led herself, to the tap routine which she directed from the side. “From the top! 5, 6, 7, 8!” She shrieked and for the last time the four cats went through the entire number. After the final salute the three younger cats were panting form exhaustion. The elderly cat still looked remarkably fresh. “It shows that you have not be trained by Gus. Youngsters these days.” She shook her head. Bombalurina would have stared at Jellylorum with a look of disbelief. That is, if she could have kept her eyes open. It took all her might to not just fall asleep right there on the spot. She noticed that Demeter had the same trouble, clinging to Bomba's side half asleep as well. She felt another arm resting on her shoulder, turning her head her eyes were met with the grey fur of her metamour, holding on for dear life not to just keel over. The red queen wrapped her arms around both Jellicles and nudged them towards their home. “Well I guess that I'm sleeping in the middle for once.”

[uppastthejelliclemoon]

the Songs of the Jellicles

okay so here’s my theory (and new hc) for how the music in the ball comes to be, and why some cats have a Song, and others don’t:

The Everlasting Cat provides the music for the Ball. I picture Old Deuteronomy somehow being able to communicate with the E.C., so he knows exactly which cats will be performing at the Ball, and lets them know ahead of time. That’s why we have cats like Old Deuteronomy, Bustopher, Skimbleshanks, and Mistoffelees performing (not that Misto’s performance was planned, of course).

How does a cat get their Song, though?

The Everlasting Cat waits until a Jellicle has performed a major act, whether positive or negative, and guides the Jellicle (or their family/close friends, Gus Sr. and Bustopher for example) into creating their songs. Perhaps a Jellicle has achieved a certain age, or provided a certain amount of wisdom, or performed an act of heroism for the tribe. 

In Macavity’s case, they are a danger to the Jellicles, and therefore the E.C. created his song to warn the younger Jellicles to stay away from the magical cat.

Let’s take Mistoffelees’ song for a moment:

Everyone joins in for the melody, but no one except Tugger seems to know the major lyrics. They’re all enthralled with the song, and even Mistoffelees seems surprised at some of the lyrics Tugger sings (”pulled seven kittens right out of a hat” moment).

Mistoffelees was terrified of his magic for so long, terrified that the tribe would see him as a follower of Macavity. However, as soon as Old Deuteronomy was taken, Mistoffelees stepped up, willing to do whatever it took to get his tribe’s leader back, even if it meant losing his home in case the Jellicles reacted badly. 

The Everlasting Cat saw this, and chose that moment as Mistoffelees proving himself, and gave him his Song, giving the lyrics to Tugger, who couldn’t help but grin as he finally knew how to praise his magician.

I like to think that:

Tugger got his Song when he reconciled with Munkustrap after Macavity’s departure with Demeter and Bombalurina, or when he stood up against attackers and protected his tribe when wounded.

Bustopher received his Song when he provided food and supplies to the tribe during a rather horrible winter in his younger years, saving them from starvation because of his position in society.

Jennyanydots received her Song after caring for every creature that passed through her den, mice, birds, and kittens (particularly Tugger and Munkustrap after Grizabella left). 

Skimbleshanks’ Song came because of his kind nature upon his train, and how he always strived to return home, no matter the weather or the time, and how he gave everything for his family.

Gus Sr. received his Song because of his achievements in the theater, proving that an old Jellicle could still perform and give their very best, while still remaining at their family’s side.

Grizabella first received her Song after becoming a theater star, a very happy, praise-filled version of “Grizabella the Glamour Cat”, that obviously changed when she came into the Junkyard that fateful night. Her second Song, “Memory”, only came after she realized that she simply wanted to return home to her family, no matter what they thought of her.

Munkustrap won’t receive his Song until he takes the mantle of Jellicle Leader, just like Old Deuteronomy, but Tugger and Demeter are convinced it’ll put every other song to shame.

Receiving a Song obviously isn’t something that happens to every Jellicles, yet the Jellicles know that receiving a Song from the Everlasting Cat is always a cause for celebration, as every Jellicle can feel when one of their own now has a Song.

(and now just picture Tugger in some corner of the Junkyard during Jenny’s song, pleading with the Everlasting Cat like “please, please, please let me have this! i’ll listen to dad for a whole month, i won’t strut around for a week, just let me mess with the lineup!” and the Everlasting Cat, who thrives upon the chaos of the Jellicles, is just like “lmao bro i gotchu”)

[rainbowratsstuff]

In the 90s film of Cats, there is a really pretty black cat who looks similar to Cassandra, but her name is Exotica and she only appears sparingly throughout the film (The actress Femi Taylor was a guest star from the original London cast). Do you have any headcanons about her? Mine is that she’s from the same litter as Cassandra or they share one parent, and that she’s a LOT more introverted. (She only participated in the Beginning/End of the Ball as well as for part of Skimbleshanks’s number).

She's not a character I've thought a ton about but I do find her a very interesting character to make headcanons about. Her hardly appearing can give her some unique traits

I really like the idea of her and Cass being related. I can see Cass being the talker for her but I also see Exotica being a very gentle and caring person, always taking care of Cass and reminding her to tone it down if she's getting too snarky.

But another headcanon I really love is her being the mother of Coricopat and Tantomile. She shares theirs powers of telepathy and I really like the idea of her having shape-shifting powers as I think her appearance changes in the show.

I agree that's she's very introverted and quiet. She finds it hard to join in even though everyone would always love her to and she finds it easier to talk through telepathy.

Another weird headcanon I kind of have is that she was the first one to suspect Misto had magic, given her own kittens powers. But like always she didn't know how to bring it up.

[0zzysaurus]

Tuggoffelees, "dress" or "cooing" I can't choose lol

Cooing:

It had been a year since the last Jellicle Ball. Between then and now, Tugger had certainly come of age. Jennyanydots made it a regular routine to praise him for what a robust tom he’d grown to be. No longer was he a lanky, awkward, short-furred adolescent - tripping over his own legs and tangling himself in the junkyard debris. The tribe would be in for quite the shock.

Since then, he’d sprouted a wonderfully full and shiny mane. A spectacular indicator of overall peak health. The frizziness of his tail had relaxed, and now it snaked around alluringly. Even his laugh had deepened from a croaking sqeak to an utterly delectible rumble. The junkyard queens were helpless against his siren songs. 

Tugger preened his claws in the afternoon sun. All around him, a slow trickle of cats arrived. Family from far and wide converging together for a week of celebrations leading up to the Jellicle Ball. There was no doubt in his mind that he would have a date - he just wasn’t quite sure who it would be yet.

Beside him, Munkustrap settled to observe the arrivals.

“So,” The silver tabby smirked. “Have you chosen any of your adoring fans to take to the ball yet?”

Tugger sighed dramatically in response. “No, I just can’t make up my mind, Munk. I keep settling on Cass, but then I see Tanto and I’m like, I wanna take her too. And don’t even get me started on Bomba. That vixen is gonna be the death of me.”

“Sounds like you’re spoiled for choice, hm?”

“It’s a nightmare.” 

As the two brothers chatted, another group of toms entered the junkyard. Bounding over in a blur of patchwork fur. Munkustrap slid down from the junk pile to greet them while Tugger did his best to act aloof.

Down below, he could hear the recently cracked voices of Pouncival and Tumblebrutus. They laughed at some joke that Tugger couldn’t quite hear. What he did hear was their not-so-subtle gasps of surprise at Tugger’s appearance.

“Is that really him?” Tumble whispered.

Pounce simply stared with his mouth agape, until Tumble closed it for him with a helpful paw. 

“Yes, it is. Try not to feed into his growing ego, would you?”

Tugger couldn’t help but chuckle at his brother’s comment. But it hadn’t just been Tumble and Pounce who had joined them. Still inspecting the yard at the front gate was someone he’d been waiting for. Mistoffelees. Tugger took the opportunity to leap down - briefly giving Tumble and Pounce a quick show of his agility before sauntering over to his best friend.

Oddly, the closer Tugger seemed to get, the shakier his steps became. Misto’s features slowly came into clear focus, and Tugger could see the healthy sheen in his fur. Misto’s chest fluff had grown voluminous, and he’d donned a silky, plum coloured ribbon around his neck - knotted into a bowtie. 

Even closer, and Tugger noticed the subtle curve in Misto’s hips - a gentle sloping of his waist that eased down into strong looking legs, and ended in a snake-like tail that twisted and curled with anticipation.

Once Tugger looked back up, however, it was all over. Eyes that had once been a soft, baby blue, were now mix-matched. One was an icy blue, the other a piercing green. His ears were delightfully curved upward, and his cheek fuzz cupped his face perfectly. Tugger couldn’t help but think about his own hands cupping that face too.

And that smile. Oh, boy... the smile. It wasn’t until Tugger was right there, right in front of him, utterly lost for words in a stunned silence, that he heard something unusual. An odd rumble. Only it wasn’t as deep as a rumbling purr or a growl. It was light and airy. It sounded like pure happiness in a jar. An excited trilling that could only ever come from a cat who had just seen the most beautiful thing on earth.

Before he even had time to explain himself, Misto was hiding a quiet giggle behind an elegant hand. Tugger felt his entire face burst into a deep, flushing heat. If he could stop the embarrasing trill in the pit of his chest he would, but he couldn’t. Misto was just too stunning.

“I...” Tugger started, still scrambling to find something, anything to say. “I uh... Hi, Misto.”

 As Tugger spoke, the trilling only seemed to grow louder from his open mouth.  The tuxedo tom smiled.

“Hello, Tugger. Wow, you’ve grown, haven’t you?”

Tugger was going to explode. Even Misto’s voice had changed into a deliciously smooth, gentle tone.

“H-Hi...” Tugger stuttered. “Oh! Uh, you too! You got a lot taller. I like the bowtie - look’s real nice.”

Misto raised an eyebrow, and gave a knowing smirk. “You think so? Well that’s good. I remember you saying purple was my colour.”

“Did I say that? Huh, you probably remember last year’s conversations better than I do. But I guess past-me was right. You look fantastic.”

As their conversation continued, it was becoming harder and harder to suppress the trilling, and the louder it got, the more flustered Tugger became. With the flustering came more trilling and so on and so forth. It was a deadly cycle.

“You’re wanting to say something to me, aren’t you Tugs?” Misto inquired with a devilish look in his eye.

Tugger was helpless to it, and so was the rumble in his chest. He looked back with a desperate expression, not wanting to open his mouth again lest the loudest most embarrassing chatter were to come out. It was just his luck then that Misto had undefeatable intuition. 

“If you want to take me to the ball, you’re going to have to court me first. I don’t do flings, Mr Rum Tum Tugger.”

For the remainder of that week, Misto found himself being waited on hand and foot by the love-struck tom. An array of flowers, feathers, gifts of food and all kinds of thoughtful catering - vying for his affection. All the while escorted by the pleasant echo of a deep, infatuated trilling. 

[afairytalestray]

Black&White Family 3

Bustopher Jones edition. So I’ve been away for a week or so, but I return bearing gifts: the next part of my pre-canon hc series (masterpost here)! 

Bustopher Jones’ younger brother was the father of Alonzo, Victoria and Mistoffelees, making them his nephews and niece. However, he’s not aware of that at first. He doesn’t visit the Junkyard very often. He had a big falling out with his brother many years ago, and they never spoke or heard from each other again. Bustopher is thus unaware he has any living family, as it was after this that Alonzo and co. were born, nor was he even aware of his brother’s death until ages after. Most of the tribe (with the exceptions of Old Deuteronomy and Gus) are also unaware of the connection: Bustopher’s brother left the tribe after their falling out, and neither of his future partners were Jellicles. Old D is the one who seeks out Alonzo and Victoria after their father’s death and invites them to come live in the Junkyard and join the Jellicles. He also looks for Misto at this time, but is too late - Macavity gets to him first. Alonzo and Victoria decide to live part-time in the Junkyard and part-time with their mother at first, to see how it goes (their mother doesn’t care for this - she’s kinda a snob, and looks down on the Jellicles as many of them are street cats). However, a few weeks later, Alonzo overhears Old D talking about how Misto’s mother had died and how Macavity had then gotten to Misto before he could, and Alonzo and Victoria decide to move to the Junkyard permanently to try and help. This is the catalyst for all the guilt Alonzo will carry with him for a long time - he knows who Macavity is and the evil he does, everyone does, and the thought that by turning Misto away from the only family he had left (although tbf he didn’t know that at the time) Alonzo had condemned him to that, haunts and tortures him. 

Old D doesn’t reveal to Alonzo and Victoria right away that they have an uncle, he thinks they have quite enough to be worrying about as it is. He also wants to talk to Bustopher first anyway, to see how he’ll react to the news that he has nieces and nephews. Especially given Misto’s current predicament. When he does eventually get to it, Bustopher is initially surprised, but ultimately happy about it. However, he opts not to tell the three of them that he’s their uncle. He keeps an eye on them from afar to ensure they’re all ok, but doesn’t take on a more active roll than that. Bustopher is a creature of habit, he has a way of life and a routine that he doesn’t like to be interrupted. He’s not parental, he never has been, but he does care for his niece and nephews in his own way. Perhaps the most important realisation that led to this decision was that honestly, none of the three of them really needed him. Maybe if they had, and Bustopher had known before he did, it would have been different, but by the time he’s aware of it, the three of them are well settled into their lives in the Junkyard. He also thinks that bringing it up would be hella awkward considering the family history (read: family drama), so he ultimately decides to treat them as he would the other young Cats, if not maybe a little nicer.

That being said, he secretly grows very fond of Mistoffelees, and is a lot more lenient with him than any of the other Cats. Misto has kinda worked it all out; he spent a lot of his early time in the Junkyard hiding and observing, and noticed that when Bustopher visited he tended to watch the three of them rather closely. There’s also a slightly more noticeable family resemblance between Bustopher and Misto than with Bustopher and Alonzo or Victoria. Bustopher kinda knows that he knows, but neither of the two of them ever bring it up. Misto keeps it to himself (maybe he’s wrong, or maybe Bustopher has a good reason for keeping it a secret), and Bustopher is grateful for it, hence the fondness and leniency.

[jelliclekay]

How does your family tree and romantic relationships differ from your human AU to the cat one?

There are a few differences, but it's relatively the same! Also I haven't worked in every single character into this AU yet, but I'm working on it!

Tugger and Munk are still brothers with Old Deut being their father. But Griz is explicitly their mother in this AU (Cats Universe I hc Griz to not be related to the Deut brothers at all). Old Deut and Griz are divorced, but are one of those divorced couples who are still very close and Griz is always around the house and shows up to events and family vacations. I like to think Human Old Deut is a gay man who remains best friends with his ex-wife, so Tugger and Munk were still raised by the two of them together.

Macavity is in this AU, but he isn't related to Tugger and Munk like he is in my Cats headcanons.

There also aren't as many open relationships in my human AU compared to cat AUs. The Jellicles are a poly normative society, but human AU it's not as common. Even still, Tugger is in a happy and stable poly relationship with Bomba and Misto. Munk is with Demeter, and eventually the two meet and fall for Alonzo who joins their relationship as well.

Bombalurina and Demeter are best friends who lived together for awhile after Demeter left Mac. They are very much those best friends who get very touchy feely with each other (especially when they are drunk).

Misto and Victoria are still siblings, with her being only a year younger than him. Victoria is still with this Plato in this AU and she's very close friends with Teazer and Jerrie as well.

Gus is Old Deut's brother, and he's their well-meaning but very out of touch Uncle who they love but he sometimes says the most out of pocket things out of nowhere.

Jerrie and Teazer are explicitly twins in this AU (I go back and forth with the cat universe since their relationship is always played differently depending on production) with Skimble and Jenny being their parents. The two are TikTokers (if you know the Voros Twins on Tiktok, their content is roughly the same as that) and Skimble and Jenny are very confused about how their kids make a living off dumb internet videos.

Cettie, Electra, Tumble and Pounce are all sophomores in college in this AU who work minimum wage part time jobs. Cettie is a barista at Starbucks (she likes to draw cute little hearts next to Tugger's name when he goes to Starbucks). I don't really have headcanons for what their relationships specifically are, but all four are very close.

[cassandra-has-moonlit-eyes]

I will write a little bit about Vienna Tugger, esp. for @jelliclekay so that she may survive her shitty job or at least get some distraction.

Vienna Tugger is always fun. I’ve mostly seen Hees playing the role, occasionally Snova and one time Sinisi. They are all great and fun Tuggers. The writing will be a mix of things I noticed on different nights.

Vienna has Tugger as Chorus Tugger/Young Tugger at the beginning.

He vanishes for Gumbie’s number and comes back at the beginning of his number. His entrence starts with him saying Miau which makes the audience always laugh. During his own number Tugger is flirty, sexy and fun. Also: Vienna uses the Lynne choreo so lot of hips.

At the beginning there is the lyrics in German: “Hast du gerade keine Zeit, will ich unbedingt zu dir” which translates to: “Even if you don’t have time for me now, I want to be with you”. Sometimes during this sentence he points and walks towards Alonzo. Alonzo seems so offended and just shakes his head and walks away. But Jemima follows Tugger gladly (she is usually standing next to Alonzo).

Everybody loves Tugger,’s number except maybe for Munk and Skimble, and maybe Jenny. Demeter just doesn’t really care and leaves the stage for the number. Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer are his biggest fans, Cassandra is the cat fainting, Admetus, when played by Li, always nussels his head, when Tugger leans on him. Even Alonzo joins in after a while.

Before Bomba comes on Tugger is always interacting with Jemima, usually kissing her hand or touching her chin, but when Bomba enters the stage he turns around and she has his full attention.

During the dance break Tugger doesn’t go into the audience cause of Covid, so he interacts with the others. Rumpleteazer and Mungojerrie usually. Sometimes they play his band together with Jelly, sometimes he has a battel of the bands with Misto. Oh yes Misto. Misto usuylla says his line and shoots a finger gun at Tugger, checks him out(?) and then leaves the dancing to the others.

One time he kissed Skimble during the dance break and he was kind of offended, similiar to Jelly in the 1998 movie.

The three girls screaming for Tugger are Victoria, Jemima and Electra. Electra is the one who faints (every Electra plays an amazing fingirl).

When Griz comes it’s very clear that Tugger doesn’t like her. He leaves the stage and misses Bustopher Jones. He only comes back to sing the Old Deut song. In Vienna it’s very clear to me that he really loves Old Deut. He is always so happy to see him enter the stage, gives him a short hip dance (you don’t understand, his hips are his character trade here) and helps him to sit down.

When everybody is getting ready for the play he is usually on one side, shaking his hips again and distracting Misto who doesn’t mind much thou. Misto is just happy to be there (smiley, happy, boii). Everbody needs to know that Tugger can move his hips.

In the beginning of the Pekes and Pollicels he imitates Munkustrap. Jenny is not happy about it and usually tries to stop him (Jo Jenny is really offended) and Coricopat hisses at him before he leaves. He has his two Back Pipes Solos similiar to the 1998 version. The audience always loves him.

Jelly Ball Time: Tugger is usually somewhere in the background. He has his line and shoves his ass in Rumpleteazers face (she is not complaining thou, sometimes even hugging him). Then he tends to sit with Old Deut. and watches. He is very happy with the Bomba section and checks her out. Usually afterwards, he carries her to the back and they ... mate in the background (and no I’m not reading that into that, they really do that in Vienna. I went with a person who has never seen cats and knows nothing about it and even she read it that way).

After that Bomba had enough action from Tugger and during the cuddle pile she is with Alonzo, them being one of the less PG pairings (and yes Vienna does a cuddle pile and not an orgy, sue me). Tugger is between Demeter and Munkustrap on his one side and the twins on his other side. One time he touched Demeters leg but Munk shooed him away, another time he cuddled with one of the twins, I think it was Tantomile but I’m not sure. I think he also used to cuddle with Bomba but they changed it somewhere along the way.

Second section of the Ball: When the girls dance in the background to get ready for their V formation, Rumpleteazer sometimes dances right infront of Tugger/for Tugger: Sometimes Tugger dances this section behind Electra or Tantomile before getting ready for his own section.

At the beginning of the second act he storms the stage. He usually has a small interaction with Misto, who sits in the background next to Old Deut, before lying down. Sometimes he tries to flirt with Cassandra or to clean her but she is not having it.

Bomba, again, usually lies alone or with Alonzo here.

Tugger then leaves during Gus to get ready to be a pirate.

He is usually a very fun pirate, very in love with Griddlebone and always up to no good together with Munk.

During Skimbleshanks he is mostly in the background. But when Old Deut tries to join the dance he hurts his back and Tugger helps him to straighten up again, stays at his side and gestures him to take it easy.

When Macavity comes Tugger is usually the first one to react to him and in front line during the Old Deuts kidnapping but is stunned by Macavity’s magic.

He misses the whole Macavity and the fight thou.

He then returns to sing Misto’s song. Tugger during Mr. Mistoffelees in Vienna is so funny. Don’t get me wrong, I like the Mistoffelees and Tugger ship but Vienna seems to really play him as straight (at least they try lol). During like 90% of the Mistoffelees number he is flirting with the Ladys while hyping Misto up. He flirts with Victoria, during Misto’s solo he is usually cuddeling with Electra (sometimes she is with Bill and he is alone or trying to get Cassandra’s attention). After dancing with Misto he joins Bomba and cuddles with her (one time he cuddled with her and Skimble). And the second verse: He sings the second verse to the other Cats not to the audience while Misto keeps dancing. He mainly sings the verse to Rumpleteazer and Tantomile (sometimes to Jemima), usually giving Tantomile a small dance show. She likes it, Coricopat next to her seems kind of offended.

It seems like he wants to convience the others, especially the queens, of how great Mistoffelees is by telling them all about him.

At the end he really hypes Mistoffelees up and Mistoffelees is kind of shocked and tells him to calm down and present the finale.

Vienna Tugger loves everybody but Grizabella and Macavity, he likes to annoy Munkustrap, he takes care of Old Deut and he is clearly paired with Bomba but has usually some interactions with the other queens too, especially with Rumpleteazer and Tantomile and with his fanclub (Electra likes him a lot, and Victoria and Jemima like him too). Electra and Jemima seem to admire him which usually becomes quite clear during the Mistoffelees number, but of course also during his own number. Cassandra hypes him up during his song but after that doesn’t seem to be that interested. Hardly ever he has interactions with Demeter during the ball/the cuddle pile.

Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer admire Tugger and are his biggest fans. All in all they interact regually, Rumpleteazer more than Mungojerrie.

I personally don’t see the Mistoffelees and Tugger ship in Vienna thou they do have their moments. Mistoffelees, at least to me, just doesn’t seem to be romatically interested in anybody and is mostly here for the vibes and to hype the others up. He kind of does enjoy Tugger’s number and his shenanigans thou and smiles at him a lot (but all in all he is a smily boii). Also Vienna doesn’t use the terrible bore line, but a line with a more positive connotation. Misto kind of looks offended after Tugger ruffels his hair but then he starts smiling again.

Tugger is also an audience favourite, because he is a funny and some sort of troublemaker. All in all a wholesome, fun character (like most ot them in Vienna tbh).

[marvelsdc22]

Christmas Spirit

Intro: Hello, lovelies!! I hope you guys are having a good start to your Christmas week!! This one was requested and I didn’t completely do the whole request, but! I hope you guys enjoy it nonetheless!! :)

Note: Y/N is the daughter of Santa Claus, no one knows, not even her girlfriend Tori, when the Christmas spirit starts to go down, what will Y/N do to help that?

Word Count: 1264

*I knew this seem strange but Christmas in a few weeks so why not get into the Christmas spirit?* would you do tori x reader where y/n is the daughter of Santa *family business and her friends don’t know* like she’s trying keep people *who are poor* Christmas spirit up by having volunteer at soup kitchen but fail. Tori feels sympathy and hates seeing the look of heartbreak on y/n and wants to help her gf Plus mistoe kiss *y/n tells her secret* @perfectartisanwerewolf​ 

This time of the year was your favorite, not just because of being able to go all out in decorating, but the fact you get to see your father do his job best, him in his suit and flying around in his sleigh, delivering all the presents to the good little girls and boys in the world… Did you mention your father was Santa Claus? The only thing that worried you was his cookie eating problem, which you and your mother scolded him for time and time again “They’re the ones that leave it out! I can’t help myself” he’d say every time you guys confronted him, which made you more worried since his health was starting to weigh him down, but this year you were determined to help him as much as you possibly could.

“Yes dad, Tori and I are doing okay” you told your father, him having called you to check up on you and you and Tori having been dating for a little over a year now, but this was the first Christmas you two would be living together “Are you okay? You sound sick” you said, noticing how he sounded a bit raspier than usual “I’m fine… The Christmas spirit is just a little low this year” Your father told you, making you frown as you opened up your tablet and pulled up the spirit-o-meter you had on it, seeing that the Christmas spirit was at an all time low this year “It’s probably because of the pandemic” you said, knowing that a lot of people were affected by it “I’ll see what I can do, okay? I have to go, Tori should be home soon, I love you” you said, smiling when he returned it before you hung up.

As you hung up, you heard the front door open and Tori’s muffled voice “Y/N, I’m home!” She called before pulling her mask off and putting it in her jacket pocket before she hung it up “In the kitchen!” You called, looking over when you heard her enter the kitchen “Whatcha making?” She asked, coming over to you and wrapping her arms around you from behind “Cookies” you said, stirring up the batter “You’re as bad as your dad” she teased, her having met your parents at the fourth of July party you guys had “Am not!” You screeched, looking at her and laughing at the look she gave you “Okay, maybe I do have a sweet tooth, sue me” you chuckled, going and spraying the pan.

After a bit, you had gotten so lost in thought, you didn’t hear Tori asking you questions “Sorry, what?” You asked, looking at her and seeing her furrow her brow “Are you okay?” She asked, going over to you as you put the cookies in the oven “I’m fine… Dad’s not feeling too well, I’m trying to think of what I can do to help” you said, her not knowing your father was Santa Claus… No one did “Well, we could bring them some soup?” Tori suggested, looking at you and you shook your head “I think my mother has that all handled” you chuckled, knowing your mother could be very motherly when it came to family being sick “Tomorrow I’m going to go volunteer at the soup kitchen, want to join me?” You asked, looking at her and wrapping your arms around her neck while hers wrapped around your waist “I wish I could, but I have work… I’ll drop by though” she promised, pressing a gentle kiss to your lips while you sighed, you’ll take what you can get.

The next day, you showed up at the soup kitchen in your very festive Christmas mask, going and speaking with someone, who got you set up at the cooking station… Which you failed at, so they moved you to the food line, you trying to make people a little more happy by be a little more cheery, but that didn’t work either and by the time Tori showed up, the sad look on your face was the worst she’s seen it, feeling bad for you, she came over to you and took your hand, tugging you over to the side.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” Tori asked, cupping your face gently and wiping some tears with her thumbs “I just wanted people to be happy this Christmas, I know having the pandemic sucks, but I just want people to be happy that they get to be with their loved ones and that they have so much going for them, even in this tough time” you cried, your voice muffled by the mask and Tori frowned under her mask before she pulled you to her, holding you as you cried and waited until you calmed down before she pulled back “Come on, lets go spread some holiday cheer” she said, nodding towards the line and you looked at her with wide eyes “But, you have work” you said, looking at her and knowing that her lunch break wasn’t that long.

Tori looked at you and gave you a smile, you able to tell from her eyes “I do, but making you happy is what’s important to me right now, so come on” she said, taking your hand and leading you over to the line, the two of you working together to make people happier and it worked, people laughed more and conversed with you more, on the quick break you took, you took the time to check the tablet once more, seeing the Christmas spirit going up again which made you extremely happy.

After a few hours, the two of you came back home and collapsed onto the couch after taking your masks off “I love you” you told her, looking at her with a smile “I love you too” she said, pressing a kiss to your nose, you sighing when your phone went off, but you got up and went to answer it “Hey dad, how are you?” You asked, walking around some as you talked to him, him telling you that he was feeling much better now that the Christmas spirit was back up “That’s great, I’m glad you’re feeling better… You and mom still coming for dinner tomorrow?” You asked, leaning against the doorframe to the laundry room and not noticing a certain plant hanging on the top of the frame “Good, we’ll see you then” you said, smiling some before you told him that you loved him and hung up.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” You asked, looking at Tori who approached you with a smug smile and following where her finger was pointed just as she stepped under the mistletoe with you “Gotta follow the rules, you know” she said, giving you a smile which you couldn’t help but return before you pulled her into a kiss, you loved this woman and one day you’d tell her your family secret, and while today was not that day, you would enjoy it just the same, this Christmas was going to be one to remember.

Permanent Taglist: @rianncreates​ / @natasha-danvers​ / @youngandwildx7​ / @hopingforbarnes​ / @xxxtwilightaxelxxx​

End Note: I hope you guys enjoyed it!! I have a few more for you for this Christmas, if you’d like to be tagged in anything, shoot me a DM or an Ask!! Have a good day/night!!

Requests Open

[rice-pudding-slaps]

So... How did the rest of the tribe took cryptid Misto being gone?

Continuation of this this this and this

Well... It wasn't exactly easy.

The reunion between him and Tugger was mostly Tugger singing and apologizing to him. Cuddling him in his mane and not letting him go. Loving him like he so dearly wanted for so long. His warm paws and fur against Misto's eternally cold body. They missed each other way too much.

Quaxo hugged him too. And after that came a long conversation about magic. Turns out, since Misto was gone, Quaxo filled the role of the vessel for his magic, and also the one that had to do a lot of the things that Misto did without almost anyone knowing.

Keeping demonic creatures out of the junkyard, finding things that went lost a long time ago, bringing mice with an enchantment when the kittens were hungry (The pipe piper's assistant, after all), keeping nightmares at bay, sending regards from the Heaviside Layer. Even keeping Macavity away was a job that Misto took in complete silence. And Quaxo wasn't ready to do it all when he could barely wake up in the same place he fell asleep.

Everyone started slowly noticing how things changed. And at the same time, that Mistoffelees wasn't the monster that they should be scared of. With that creepy face and weird antics, he wasn't a bad cat. He did more than they gave him credit for.

And suddenly everything that ever Tugger said about the magical cat started making sense to the rest of the tribe.

Every time he called him "Marvelous" "Magical" "Wonderful". And looked at him with wonder in his eyes. They started to understand. Slowly. And too late. Mistoffelees probably was dead far far away. And not only did they gave him the cold shoulder. They ignored him. They outright replaced them. For someone who they deemed more deserving of love.

And holy shit they regretted it.

So they decided to not make the same mistake two times. And they filled Jemima with as much love as they could give her. And they tried. Really hard. To make her feel like even being from other dimension, she was family.

The other kittens gave her the bones of their meals and listened to her talking about her friends from other dimensions. And the adults cuddled her and constantly told her how loved she was. How much they appreciated. Remembering how Mistoffelees used to be alone in a pipe until Tugger came for him. They made sure she was never lonely.

And Tugger was so grateful for that. Because he knew how bad was being a kitten for Misto. And he didn't want his niece to go through that. He was her number one fan. And he went to all the tea parties she invited him. And they saved a seat for Misto everytime. Just in case.

Munkustrap was... Late to come around. Even if he understood how useful Mistoffelees was to the tribe, he also understood how dangerous he was. It wasn't until his dear daughter. His beautiful and sweet Jemima. His little girl. Started to show the same signs that when he understood the marvel in Tugger's eyes when Mistoffelees levitated and changed form.

Because when Jemima started to levitate and present him her shadow friends, he was scared as fuck. But he was so amazed at how wonderful and magical his daughter was. He got it. And he understood how bad he treated Misto. And the tought of that happening to Jemima...

It was during a tea party. When he entered the room where Tugger and Jemima where. Nervous like they never imagined he would be. And he said sorry to Tugger. For ever being so harsh to his mate. For everything he did to Misto. And for being so so late to understand.

Tugger forgave him. And he sometimes joins the parties now.