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{{short description|Character from the poem and musical Cats}} {{short description|Character from the poem and musical Cats}}
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"'''Gus: The Theatre Cat'''" is a poem by ] included in '']''. Known as "The Theatre Cat" due to his career as an actor, Gus is an old and frail, yet revered, cat, who "suffers from palsy, which makes his paws shake." His coat is described as "shabby" and he is "no longer a terror to mice or to rats." "'''Gus: The Theatre Cat'''" is a poem by ] included in '']''. Known as "The Theatre Cat" due to his career as an actor, Gus is an old and frail, yet revered, cat, who "suffers from palsy, which makes his paws shake." His coat is described as "shabby" and he is "no longer a terror to mice or to rats."


Gus, whose full name is Asparagus, is also a character in ]'s musical adaption of the book, '']''. In the musical, the poem is used almost verbatim in the song "Gus: The Theatre Cat". The role was originated by ] in the ] in 1981, and by Stephen Hanan on ] in 1982. ] played Gus in the ]. Gus, whose full name is Asparagus, is also a character in ]'s musical adaption of the book, '']''. In the musical, the poem is used almost verbatim in the song "Gus: The Theatre Cat".


==The musical== ==The musical==
]) in the musical "Cats" in Roma Musical Theatre in Warsaw, 13 October 2007.]] ]) in the musical "]" in Roma Musical Theatre in Warsaw, 13 October 2007.]]


Gus appears shortly after the start of Act II of ''Cats'', where he and ] sing a duet about the highlights of his career, contrasting his present state with his acting heyday: "He has acted with ], he's acted with ]."<ref>{{cite journal|title=Imperial Names for 'Practical Cats': Establishing a Distinctly British Pride in Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats|first=Dorothy Dodge|last=Robbins|journal=]|year=2013|volume=61|issue=1|page=29|issn=0027-7738}}</ref> He and Jellylorum stress in particular his creation of the role of Firefrorefiddle, the Fiend of the ]. Gus appears shortly after the start of Act II of ''Cats'', where he and ] sing a duet about the highlights of his career, contrasting his present state with his acting heyday: "He has acted with ], he's acted with ]."<ref>{{cite journal|title=Imperial Names for 'Practical Cats': Establishing a Distinctly British Pride in Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats|first=Dorothy Dodge|last=Robbins|journal=]|year=2013|volume=61|issue=1|page=29|doi=10.1179/0027773812Z.00000000035 |s2cid=191334996 |issn=0027-7738|doi-access=free}}</ref> He and Jellylorum stress in particular his creation of the role of Firefrorefiddle, the Fiend of the ].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Williams |first=Geoffrey Bernard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CAZ8tU-llGgC&dq=Gus:+The+Theatre+Cat+fell&pg=PA208 |title=The Reason in a Storm: A Study of the Use of Ambiguity in the Writings of T.S. Eliot |date=1991 |publisher=University Press of America |isbn=978-0-8191-8271-5 |language=en}}</ref>


In its only major deviation from the poem, the song modifies the line "He once played a Tiger—could do it again—Which an Indian Colonel pursued down a drain." to "I once played Growltiger—could do it again" and uses this to segue into the song "]", wherein Gus recreates his role of Growltiger, a pirate cat. At the end of "Growltiger's Last Stand", Gus returns in a short ]. In its only major deviation from the poem, the song modifies the line "He once played a Tiger—could do it again—Which an Indian Colonel pursued down a drain." to "I once played Growltiger—could do it again" and uses this to segue into the song "]", wherein Gus recreates his role of Growltiger, a pirate cat. At the end of "Growltiger's Last Stand", Gus returns in a short ].


In the live stage show, the actor playing Gus is usually double-cast as ]. The role is meant to be played by an ] ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://themusicalcompany.com/show/cats/cast-requirements/|title=Cast / Vocal Requirements: Cats|publisher=The Musical Company|accessdate=2 April 2019}}</ref><ref name=royal>{{cite web|url=https://royalcaribbeanproductions.com/featured-shows/Cats|title=Cats|publisher=]|accessdate=30 March 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330005639/https://royalcaribbeanproductions.com/featured-shows/Cats}}</ref><ref name=vbw>{{cite web|url=https://www.vbw.at/media/file/1247_CATS_Audition_2019_-_english.pdf|title=Cats Audition|publisher=]|accessdate=30 March 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330011328/https://www.vbw.at/media/file/1247_CATS_Audition_2019_-_english.pdf}}</ref> In the live stage show, the actor playing Gus is usually double-cast as ]. The role is meant to be played by an ] ].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://themusicalcompany.com/show/cats/cast-requirements/|title=Cast / Vocal Requirements: Cats|publisher=The Musical Company|access-date=2 April 2019|archive-date=2 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402073555/https://themusicalcompany.com/show/cats/cast-requirements/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=royal>{{cite web|url=https://royalcaribbeanproductions.com/featured-shows/Cats|title=Cats|date=2 June 2017 |publisher=]|access-date=30 March 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330005639/https://royalcaribbeanproductions.com/featured-shows/Cats}}</ref><ref name=vbw>{{cite web|url=https://www.vbw.at/media/file/1247_CATS_Audition_2019_-_english.pdf|title=Cats Audition|publisher=]|access-date=30 March 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330011328/https://www.vbw.at/media/file/1247_CATS_Audition_2019_-_english.pdf}}</ref>


===Notable casting=== ===Notable casting===
The role of Gus was originated by ] in the ] in 1981,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reallyuseful.com/rug/shows/cats/cast/origlondon1981.htm|title=Original London Cast List|accessdate=30 March 2019|publisher=]|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080815020451/http://www.reallyuseful.com/rug/shows/cats/cast/origlondon1981.htm |archivedate=15 August 2008}}</ref> and by Stephen Hanan on ] in 1982.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=4186|title=Original Broadway Cast List|accessdate=30 March 2019|publisher=]}}</ref> On screen, Gus was portrayed by ] in the ] of the musical,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reallyuseful.com/shows/cats/shows-archive/cats-cast-lists/1998-film |title=1998 Video Cast List|accessdate=30 March 2019|publisher=]|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407095655/http://www.reallyuseful.com/shows/cats/shows-archive/cats-cast-lists/1998-film|archivedate= 7 April 2010}}</ref> and by ] in the ].<ref>{{cite web |first=Ruthie|last=Fierberg|title=How Is Ian McKellen Preparing for His Role in the Cats Movie?|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/how-is-ian-mckellen-preparing-for-his-role-in-the-cats-movie |website=] |accessdate=9 April 2019 |date=12 November 2018}}</ref> The role of Gus was originated by ] in the ] in 1981,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reallyuseful.com/rug/shows/cats/cast/origlondon1981.htm|title=Original London Cast List|access-date=30 March 2019|publisher=]|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080815020451/http://www.reallyuseful.com/rug/shows/cats/cast/origlondon1981.htm |archive-date=15 August 2008}}</ref> and by Stephen Hanan on ] in 1982.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=4186|title=Original Broadway Cast List|access-date=30 March 2019|publisher=]|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924144642/http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=4186|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Cat images |url=https://catimages.net/ |access-date=21 May 2023 |archive-date=31 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531230914/https://catimages.net/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On screen, Gus was portrayed by ] in the ] of the musical,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reallyuseful.com/shows/cats/shows-archive/cats-cast-lists/1998-film |title=1998 Video Cast List|access-date=30 March 2019|publisher=]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407095655/http://www.reallyuseful.com/shows/cats/shows-archive/cats-cast-lists/1998-film|archive-date= 7 April 2010}}</ref> and by ] in the ].<ref>{{cite web|first=Ruthie|last=Fierberg|title=How Is Ian McKellen Preparing for His Role in the Cats Movie?|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/how-is-ian-mckellen-preparing-for-his-role-in-the-cats-movie|website=]|access-date=9 April 2019|date=12 November 2018|archive-date=9 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409150342/http://www.playbill.com/article/how-is-ian-mckellen-preparing-for-his-role-in-the-cats-movie|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Cultural references== ==Cultural references==
The description in the original poem about Gus playing a "Tiger... which an Indian Colonel pursued down a drain" is a reference to the short story "]" by ]. In the story ], chief underling of the infamous ], is said to have pursued a man-eating tiger down a drain during his military service in India, before his criminal career. The description in the original poem about Gus playing a "Tiger... which an Indian Colonel pursued down a drain" is a reference to the short story "]" by ]. In the story ], chief underling of the infamous ], is said to have pursued a man-eating tiger down a drain during his military service in India, before his criminal career.


Both the original poem and the number in the play refer to Gus's ability of ], specifically of his serving as understudy in a production of ]. Both the original poem and the number in the play refer to Gus's ability of ], specifically in his serving as an understudy in a production of ].


In the film '']'', Logan and Jessica meet an old man in the ] during their search for Sanctuary. The old man has many cats and references ''The Naming of Cats'', explaining that each cat has three names: one common, one unique, and one that only the cat knows. He refers to one cat in particular: Gus, short for Asparagus. In the film '']'', Logan and Jessica meet an old man in the ] during their search for Sanctuary. The old man has many cats and references "]", explaining that each cat has three names: one common, one unique, and one that only the cat knows. He refers to one cat in particular: Gus, short for Asparagus.


== References == == References ==
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] ]
]
] ]
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Latest revision as of 11:29, 24 March 2024

Character from the poem and musical Cats

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"Gus: The Theatre Cat" is a poem by T. S. Eliot included in Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. Known as "The Theatre Cat" due to his career as an actor, Gus is an old and frail, yet revered, cat, who "suffers from palsy, which makes his paws shake." His coat is described as "shabby" and he is "no longer a terror to mice or to rats."

Gus, whose full name is Asparagus, is also a character in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical adaption of the book, Cats. In the musical, the poem is used almost verbatim in the song "Gus: The Theatre Cat".

The musical

Wojciech Paszkowski as Gus and Marta Smuk as Galaretka (Jellylorum) in the musical "Cats" in Roma Musical Theatre in Warsaw, 13 October 2007.

Gus appears shortly after the start of Act II of Cats, where he and Jellylorum sing a duet about the highlights of his career, contrasting his present state with his acting heyday: "He has acted with Irving, he's acted with Tree." He and Jellylorum stress in particular his creation of the role of Firefrorefiddle, the Fiend of the Fell.

In its only major deviation from the poem, the song modifies the line "He once played a Tiger—could do it again—Which an Indian Colonel pursued down a drain." to "I once played Growltiger—could do it again" and uses this to segue into the song "Growltiger's Last Stand", wherein Gus recreates his role of Growltiger, a pirate cat. At the end of "Growltiger's Last Stand", Gus returns in a short reprise.

In the live stage show, the actor playing Gus is usually double-cast as Bustopher Jones. The role is meant to be played by an operatic tenor.

Notable casting

The role of Gus was originated by Stephen Tate in the West End in 1981, and by Stephen Hanan on Broadway in 1982. On screen, Gus was portrayed by John Mills in the 1998 film version of the musical, and by Ian McKellen in the 2019 film adaptation.

Cultural references

The description in the original poem about Gus playing a "Tiger... which an Indian Colonel pursued down a drain" is a reference to the short story "The Adventure of the Empty House" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In the story Colonel Sebastian Moran, chief underling of the infamous Professor Moriarty, is said to have pursued a man-eating tiger down a drain during his military service in India, before his criminal career.

Both the original poem and the number in the play refer to Gus's ability of pantomime, specifically in his serving as an understudy in a production of Dick Whittington and His Cat.

In the film Logan's Run, Logan and Jessica meet an old man in the Senate Chamber during their search for Sanctuary. The old man has many cats and references "The Naming of Cats", explaining that each cat has three names: one common, one unique, and one that only the cat knows. He refers to one cat in particular: Gus, short for Asparagus.

References

  1. Robbins, Dorothy Dodge (2013). "Imperial Names for 'Practical Cats': Establishing a Distinctly British Pride in Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats". Names. 61 (1): 29. doi:10.1179/0027773812Z.00000000035. ISSN 0027-7738. S2CID 191334996.
  2. Williams, Geoffrey Bernard (1991). The Reason in a Storm: A Study of the Use of Ambiguity in the Writings of T.S. Eliot. University Press of America. ISBN 978-0-8191-8271-5.
  3. "Cast / Vocal Requirements: Cats". The Musical Company. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  4. "Cats". Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. 2 June 2017. Archived from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  5. "Cats Audition" (PDF). Vereinigte Bühnen Wien. Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 March 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  6. "Original London Cast List". Really Useful Group. Archived from the original on 15 August 2008. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  7. "Original Broadway Cast List". Internet Broadway Database. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  8. "Cat images". Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  9. "1998 Video Cast List". Really Useful Group. Archived from the original on 7 April 2010. Retrieved 30 March 2019.
  10. Fierberg, Ruthie (12 November 2018). "How Is Ian McKellen Preparing for His Role in the Cats Movie?". Playbill. Archived from the original on 9 April 2019. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
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