#kocik le miau

[cats-warsaw-archive]

Bit unfinished Tugger during rehearsal of “The Rum Tum Tugger” in Cats Warsaw. Kocik's costume is also more colourful than it ended up being

Jakub Szydłowski as Ram Tam Tamek [Rum Tum Tugger] and Paulina Andrzejewska as Kocik le Miau

Cats Warsaw Rehearsals December 13, 2003 Photos by Michał Kołyga

#cats the musical #cats warsaw #koty musical #rum tum tugger #ram tam tamek #jakub szydłowski #kocik le miau #paulina andrzejewska #cats warsaw rehearsals #jellicle cats

[per-the-jellicle-magician]

It's a little funny how time and preservation works, cuz from all the photos and post show clips of Cats Warsaw, it's clear that Tugger's main girl (besides Bomba) is actually Kocik Le Miau. She gets dropped in his song, possibly is also singled out to walk with him, she sits with him during "Old Deuteronomy" and then pops out the box during "Mr. M"

But the only recording of the show was taken on a day she was absent, so all those bits went to Fantazja, who as far I can tell was probably the intended backup for this situation

So now for me she is the Tugger girl, she is seen doing all this stuff when Kocik is just not there, which for me makes her a background character

Idk, it's just kinda fascinating how it all worked out, with the backup becoming the main version and the intended one being relegated to a sprinkling of photos. And I really wish I could see the intended version with Kocik

#also I've seen one piece of fanart from somone who's seen it on stage in 2007 #and they said in description that kocik and misto were cute together and had chemistry and stuff #and like yeah i wish i could see it too‚ cuz kocik and different version of misto #cats the musical #cats warsaw #kocik le miau #fantazja #jellicle cats

[theimpossiblescheme]

Katarzyna Osuch and Anna Julia Dębowska as Fraszka

Małgorzata Mazurkiewicz and Paulina Andrzejewska as Kocik le Miau

Chorzów 2022 / Warsaw 2004

#Thank goodness for Monika Zgodzaj (the makeup designer for the 2022 production--she's on Instagram and TikTok!). #This is partially to make up for me getting the two mixed up in the past--that was very much My Bad. :P #cats chorzów #cats warsaw #fraszka #kocik le miau #cats the musical

[bizarre-blorbo-bracket]

Round 1 poll 7: Fraszka from the 2004 Warsaw production of Cats! the musical vs Azazello from the 1996 adaptation of The Island Of Dr. Moreau

Propaganda under the cut:

Fraszka:

Okay, so in 2004 there was a production of Cats which is widely known as the first Non-Replica, which means it doesn't use the same costumes/choreo/theming as the West End and Broadway productions. Cats has a lot of nonreps, like a weird number of "what if they were cats.... in a circus" productions, and at least one "what if the cats were in a WWII bunker in London?" production. So Cats Warsaw is kinda set on a closed film studio, and kinda on a roof in Warsaw. And for some reason in this nonrep they had just loads of characters. Like 36 characters, and seven of them are original. That's where Fraszka comes in. She's a Warsaw exclusive kitten and she is the love of my life. She's so bubbly and excitable and lovely. She looks a little like a racoon. She's a random chorus character. She's inexplicably on the Wikipedia page for Cats. She's almost indistinguishable from Kocik Le Miau, an adult character. I had to recheck my reference guides for Warsaw to double check the Wikipedia pic is her. I have included her in a fic. I don't have a 100% rate of recognising her. I think I might be her 2nd biggest fan on all of Tumblr. I'm not sure if she sings any lines by herself. And I don't speak a word of Polish. Well that's a lie, I know several Cats themed words in Polish. The picture included is the one of her on Wikipedia.

Azazello:

Everyone except me hates that movie and Azazello used to be a Saint Bernard

#Azazello #island of doctor moreau #cats! #cats #Fraszka

[flame-x]

A list of named swings and such

So. I know one of these already exists. BUT. I'm doing another. because i can

Old London Swings (pre-Revival, mostly late 80s and the 90s) Greycat/Hysperia/NBQ (nameless brown queen)- Greycat was sometimes known as NBQ, it depended on her costume, which ranged from grey to tan. Hysperia is a different cat who has sometimes been called NBQ by fans even though she isn't Greycat/NBQ AJ- "Almost Jemima". Female kitten Tabbygirl- more mature queen (usually covered adult roles) Patches- male kitten, often resembles Admetus Calico- male or female Caramel- male, looks very similar to Victor Victor- originated here but used in productions worldwide

Post-revival London Swings Electra (also Lightning Ellectra) George Pouncival Victor

Early Broadway Swings (80s and 90s) Spike- young male George- young male AJ- young female Greycat- female Carbucketty- male kitten, later cut when Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer became actual cats and not trash puppets Babygriz's design was also used as a swing

US Tour Swing Spike- different design. male.

China 2012 Grumbuskin Jemima Oliva Murad Quaxo Noilly Prat Latter four have since been used in other productions

Gothenburg 2006 Isis Ramses Garbo Shakespeare Tintomara Agustus Moses Savannah

Warsaw 2004 Fraszka Fantasia Sierściuch Zyleta/Kocik Le Miau Angelika Mamrotka Turbo Ptys Menello Bianco Kara Kotek

Tecklenburg 2015 Rocketta Eris Barnaby Buttons Bonzo Mab

Thunerseespiele 2017 Ishtar Luna Roxy

2009 Italian Tour Caligola Paride

Helsinki 1986 Aprilli Gilbert Lilli Marina Meijuli Grumbuskin/Rokkonen Russu Sibylla

Oslo 1985 Kvesesta Potefar Godnattakatt

The Named Swings Some of these are full ensemble characters in certain productions but when other productions cut that character or use an alternative, that name is often used for a swing. Admetus- when he's replaced by Plato, Admetus is sometimes used by a male/female swing Augustus Autumn Bill Bailey Carbucketty Electra Etcetera Exotica- first used to create a cameo for Femi Taylor (who played Tantomile in the OLC I'm pretty sure) in the 1998 film but has since been used for swings in large productions George- male kitten Jemima- female kitten Jonathan- male Murad- young male Noilly Prat- young female Olivia- young female Peter Quaxo- young male Victor- kind of an elderly male? his performer usually covers the older roles like Gus and Old Deuteronomy There's also a swing Babygriz in the current UK Tour

And now the mindfuck that is alternatives: Bill Bailey/Tumblebrutus- Bill Bailey originated in the original London production. Tumblebrutus was used instead of him on Broadway and in the 1998 film (the latter to maintain international something or other). In the 98 film it was Bill Bailey under the name Tumblebrutus. Carbucketty/Pouncival- Carbucketty originated in the original London production. As with Bill Bailey/Tumblebrutus, Pouncival was used instead of his London counterpart on Broadway and in the 1998 film. In the 98 film it was Carbucketty under the name Pouncival. Pouncival/George- the 2014 London Palladium production included a third male kitten aside from Carbucketty and Bil Bailey named Pouncival, who's design was actually much closer to the original London George character than to Carbucketty.

Quaxo/Mistoffelees- Big mindfuck! In UK-style productions, the performer is credited as Quaxo up until his song, where he is revealed to be The Magical Mr. Mistoffelees. This is usually explained as Mr. Mistoffelees being Quaxo's stage name. However, in some productions they're completely different cats, with Quaxo using a totally different design. Also, as Quaxo/Misto used to dance a tap dance duel against Jennyanydots while dressed as the lead beetle. Because of this, all pre-revival London productions attached the name Quaxo to the lead tap dancing beetle regardles of whether or not it was played by Mistoffelees. Plato/Admetus- Even bigger mindfuck! Admetus was the original double for Macavity in London and I think London-based prodctions still use Admetus. Plato is the Broadway version of the same cat. The Plato you see in the 1998 film is the Admetus design. Plato's design originally had a lot of brown and grey but since the 98 film, which used the Admetus design, you get a lot of "Admetus costume and makeup but named Plato". In productions where Plato is the Macavity double, the name Admetus is sometimes used for a swing (this is common in Australian-style productions) Admetus/George- This one is purely to do with the 98 film. Frank Thompson was credited with playing the Rumpus Cat and Admetus. Fans assumed the cat who was actually using the George design was Admetus, but it is unknown if the renaling of the George design to Admetus was intentional or not. Jemima/Sillabub- Jemima originated from the original London production but was renamed Sillabub in the US and in US-based prosuctions to avoid any negative racial connotations. Since then, the name Sillabub is used more often outside of Europe, though in productions where Sillabub is used as the principle version, the name Jemima is sometimes used for a female swing. Jemima is a named swing in the China 2012 and Shiki productions.

Other names There are two names in Old Possum's that haven't been used in any production (that I know of): James and Cat Morgan. Then there's Socrates, who is exclusive to the 2019 film.

So! That's that! Wow this got long and kinda detailed. If you've any questions/additions/whatever, send them in an ask and I'll do my best to answer.

There are many, many, more unnamed swings, but this is a compiled list of named swings.

I got the majority of my information from the wiki and also from this post by @/theimpossiblescheme.

#cats the musical #jellicle cats #do i count as a swing expert yet #swings #cats swings #mean like a minx and lean like a lynx #god this took freaking ages #but it was worth it! #long post #helpful #well at least to the people who need it #i hope

[devizakura]

SO I SAW CATS CHORZÓW AGAIN AND I BRING MORE BITS!

[Part 1]

CHORZÓW SAID DEMELONZO RIGHTS BABEY!

They kept cuddling and playing during Gus's song among many others and he fought Mac and fell first and Deme kept clinging to him. He was always close and checking on her when Griz showed up, including during Memory.

Also!! During the last song Deme and Lonzy lost themselves in a cuddle session and then jerked back like "oh shit we're supposed to be doing something" sbsbdb.

It honestly made me hop on the Demelonzo train! Demestrap is nice but this Alonzo gave such soft boy vibes and I love it. If Munk is her rock, her anchor that keeps her grounded, Alonzo is a soft pillow that makes her comfortable and safe. I love both.

They gave us Bombastrap rights as well (I love that this production went "let's bring back ships that were once iconic but fell out of favor when the musical started getting streamlined into a universal version). They were clearly romantically affectionate, nearly getting frisky during Gus's song. She also tried to stop him during the Macavity fight (though he shood her away) and then came to check on him afterwards.

Alonzo actually also took a lot of "Quaxo" bits, like the part after Vic's solo and the "terrible bore" line - Misto was really mostly reduced to a background character until his song, save for the acts of overpowered magic. Lonzy gave off a major "leader understudy to Munk" vibe, and they're also totally besties.

A propos overpowered magic, MISTO ACTUALLY MAGICALLY TURNED GUS YOUNGER so that he can perform Pekes and Pollicles one last time (at Old Deut's request)

Another notable ship (besides the oldies which I've touched on before) is Tugger and Kocik le Miau - although he also flirted heavily with A LOT of cats (both male and female, even Alonzo fell victim to his advances shsbxbx although that was more to mess with him. I've noticed him flirting with Etcetera, her brother Brali Dalej - who may or may not be George - Cassandra, obviously Bomba, and he also got wayyyy too up close and personal with Munk to mess with him at one point). It appears that Kocik was his chosen groupie of the night rather than anything serious.

I find it kinda funny how one of the most homophobic countries to have staged Cats is one of the few that make Tugger explicitly bisexual. Not subtextually or thanks to improv, not "his relationship with Misto seems kinda fruity" - in fact, they don't seem romantically interested in each other at all in this one. But Tugger flirts with both queens and toms, even has a scene in "Old Deutoronomy" where he does a sensual "finger under lover's chin" move on a queen and then a tom all in one line of the song so you quite literally can't miss it, and it's WRITTEN INTO THE CHOREO

Misto and Electra had some moments, but not really romantic - they had a fight-duet when he stole her thunder during the ball, and he kinda patted the air near her butt at one point, and held her at the end of the pas de deux? So like, this may be kind of a one-sided playful thing for him

Oh and I dunno if I've mentioned this before but the "pas de deux" is really a pas de trois I guess sbdbdbx Vicki dances with Munk and Tugger, with them "stealing" her from each other! Nothing overtly sexual like the typical thing though.

I'd like to bring up @the-cat-at-the-theatre-door 's comment when I told her that:

because I did kinda get the feeling like her solo was about her discovering her third name. With all the cats huddled around a mirror, having hissed at it prior, perhaps not ready to face their true self yet, so the initiation makes sense!

Anyway it's old news but I really loved Pekes and Pollicles and Macavity - maybe even more than the classic versions. Definitely vocally.

Visually, Macavity is SO GOOD in the first part, the choreography between Deme and Bomba is just MWAH, representing the seductive yet abusive nature of Macavity's affection so well.

And Pekes and Pollicles... Maybe I wouldn't call it better than the '98 version because Gus playing Rumpus Cat eliminates a lot of the funny factor that stems from the cat playing Rumpus Cat being an absolute jackass, and the cats are really trying their best even if they mess up sometimes instead of not showing up at the rehearsal even once, but it's by far the best revival version imo.

During the ball, Jelly dances on the railing, she looks like a proud dance teacher who can't help but dance along to her pupils 😭 She also conducted the kitten choir during one song, Bustopher's I think. She has a flair for the theatrics after her dad 💜💜💜

During the reprise of Memory, Jemima kept glancing up, it looked like she was receiving instructions from the Moon/Everlasting Cat, leading her to then sing to Griz and prompt Demeter to forgive her. I love that despite how different that Demeter spin made the climax, it is still just as profound. The pure heart unblemished by hatred being able to reach understanding others couldn't comprehend for a long time vs the forgiveness of a scornful daughter

Also a small fun fact - since neither Jenny nor Jelly likely have the range, the high note goes to Jemima :)

I typically skip the last song because nothing really happens in it and it drags out, but here they had INTERACTIONS! And I loved it!

#cats the musical #cats chorzów 2022 #cats chorzow 2022 #cats chorzow #cats chorzów

[per-the-jellicle-magician]

"Macavity" during "Shopping night with TM Roma" on November 16, 2007 in CH Reduta

This performance is where this Demeter photo is from

Ewa Lachowicz as Demeter, Anna Sztejner as Bombalurina, Anna Dębowska as Fraszka and Paulina Andrzejewska as Kocik le Miau

#cats warsaw #cats the musical #macavity the mystery cat #makiawel #bombalurina #demeter cats #fraszka cats #kocik le miau #ewa lachowicz #anna sztejner #anna dębowska #paulina andrzejewska #cats warsaw promo

[per-the-jellicle-magician]

I found a pretty interesting thing in those found pre-premiere performance and rehearsal photos

In a few photos taken during "the Rum Tum Tugger" and "Old Deuteronomy", it's Kocik le Miau that interacts with Tugger, and not Fantazja

Kocik is also the one to pop out of the box during Misto's magic tricks

Now I'm really curious wether Kocik was the first draft to be there and later it got switched, or if simply Kocik and Fantazja would just take the place of Tugger's girl depending on which actress was in that night

Which also makes me curious as to what they did if both if them were there XD

#cats the musical #cats warsaw #fantazja cats #kocik le miau #rum tum tugger #warsaw guy talks

[per-the-jellicle-magician]

Cats Chorzów "Who is who", although with a few cats missing, courtesy of Aleksandra Dyjas who played Rumpleteazer

In order of appearance: Bill Bailey, Jennyanydots, Quaxo, Jemima, Kocik Le Miau, Mungojerrie, Rumpleteazer, Munkustrap, Małyszek, Victoria, Mistoffelees, Fantazja, Rum Tum Tugger, Alonzo, Coricopat, Tantomile, Grizabella, George, Victor, The Rumpus Cat/Young Gus, Carbucketty, Demeter, Filutek, Cassandra, Jellylorum, Old Deuteronomy, Macavity

September 12, 2022

#cats the musical #cats chorzów #koty chorzów #cats non replica #jellicle cats

[cats-warsaw-archive]

Cats Warsaw Names

"In the Polish premiere production (Roma Musical Theatre, 2004), the distinctive names of the characters were partially translated into Polish. Below is a list of original names (in alphabetical order) and their Polish equivalents.

Alonzo – Alonzo

Bill Bailey – Bili Daley

Bombalurina – Bombalurina

Bustopher Jones – Kot Bywalec

Carbucketty – Kara Kotek

Cassandra – Kasandra

Coricopat – Tymoteusz

Demeter – Demeter

Electra – Elektra

Etcetera – I Tak Daley

George Bailey – Brali Daley

Grizabella – Grizabella

Gus – Gus

Jellylorum – Galaretka

Jemima – Promyczek

Jennyanydots – Plameczka Pac

Macavity – Makiawel

Mr Mistoffelees – Mefistofeliks

Mungojerrie – Mungojerrie [later spelled Mangojerry]

Munkustrap – Myszołap

Old Deuteronomy – Kot Nestor

Rum Tum Tugger – Ram Tam Tamek

Rumpleteazer – Pumpernikiel

Rumpus Cat – Raptus Zuch

Skimbleshanks – Semaforro

Tantomile – Tamtamila

Tumblebrutus – Klaps

Victor – Wiktor

Victoria – Wiktoria

Quaxo – Dyzio

In addition, the following characters appear in the Polish version with no counterparts in the original:

Fantazja

Fraszka

Kocik Le Miau

Mamrotka

Menello Bianco [later renamed Filutek]

Sierściuch

Turbo Ptyś "

Originally posted on musicale.pl (the specific post wasn't saved), later reposted here

Translated by me, @per-the-jellicle-magician

#cats the musical #cats warsaw #koty musical #cats non replica #cats warsaw info #cats warsaw characters

[bizarre-blorbo-bracket]

Round 2 poll 4: Fraszka from the 2004 Warsaw production of Cats! the musical vs Otto the Otter

Propaganda under the cut:

Fraszka:

Okay, so in 2004 there was a production of Cats which is widely known as the first Non-Replica, which means it doesn't use the same costumes/choreo/theming as the West End and Broadway productions. Cats has a lot of nonreps, like a weird number of "what if they were cats.... in a circus" productions, and at least one "what if the cats were in a WWII bunker in London?" production. So Cats Warsaw is kinda set on a closed film studio, and kinda on a roof in Warsaw. And for some reason in this nonrep they had just loads of characters. Like 36 characters, and seven of them are original. That's where Fraszka comes in. She's a Warsaw exclusive kitten and she is the love of my life. She's so bubbly and excitable and lovely. She looks a little like a racoon. She's a random chorus character. She's inexplicably on the Wikipedia page for Cats. She's almost indistinguishable from Kocik Le Miau, an adult character. I had to recheck my reference guides for Warsaw to double check the Wikipedia pic is her. I have included her in a fic. I don't have a 100% rate of recognising her. I think I might be her 2nd biggest fan on all of Tumblr. I'm not sure if she sings any lines by herself. And I don't speak a word of Polish. Well that's a lie, I know several Cats themed words in Polish. The picture included is the one of her on Wikipedia.

Otto the Otter:

I love all big animal statues, but Otto is very special to me. I've brought him up in conversations with friends to let them know how cool he is. (We do not live by him). I just think he's so neat and cute.

#Otto the Otter #Fraszka #polls #round 2 polls

[per-the-jellicle-magician]

Cats Warsaw director, Wojciech Kępczyński, with actors in full costume

First row (from left to right): Victoria, Kocik le Miau, Bombalurina, Cassandra

Middle row: Bustopher Jones, Fantazja, Tantomile, Electra

Last row: Fraszka, Jellylorum, Sierściuch (I think) and Carbucketty

#i love this photo so much #cats warsaw #cats the musical #victoria cats #cassandra cats #bombalurina #bustopher jones #fantazja cats #tantomile #Electra cats #fraszka cats #jellylorum #carbucketty #kocik le miau #sierściuch #cats warsaw bts

[theimpossiblescheme]

Electra and Kocik Le Miau being girlfriends behind the scenes of Cats Warsaw 2004

#My OC Nasira is sweating profusely just looking at them... XD #cats the musical #cats warsaw #electra #kocik le miau #I love Electra's scene haircut--it's so fitting for her somehow.

[per-the-jellicle-magician]

Big update guys

I was watching Cats Warsaw (again) in search of giffable moments

And i found out that both Menello Bianco and Turbo Ptyś are there

How i didn't notice one of them before? I have no idea

I watched this show so many times, literally dozens upon dozens of times, probably more than hundred already

My theory is that since one of them usually stays in the back of the group, often out of shot, and their costumes are really similar, i just saw them both at different times and thought they are one character

Also those 300+ photos form a few days before, were the first time i saw both of their costumes in detail (Warsaw book has only Menello pic in it and it's not the best angle) and i was actively looking at the costumes now to see which one of them it is

And the answer is both

#tonight was a trip #i found out that most likely there was another warsaw boot and for sure at least one other audio boot #got kicked in the face by an old fandom #and now this #i just can't #please someone watch it and tell me if kocik le miau is there #I'm sure she isn't there but also maybe i just missed her #cats warsaw #cats the musical #menello bianco #turbo ptyś #cats warsaw kittens

[theimpossiblescheme]

Official Cats wiki on the Warsaw 2004 production: Żyleta is the name of one of the henchcats, at first it was played by Etcetera's actress, then it was changed.

Me:

#WE HAVE AN OFFICIAL HENCHCAT NAME--THIS IS NOT A DRILL #cats the musical #cats warsaw #See I was an idiot who assumed this was just another name for Kocik Le Miau... #The headcanon machine is spinning again but it's not expressing itself in an organized manner right now. XD

[theimpossiblescheme]

I was inspired to make a list of all the swing cats I’ve come across in different productions, partially from a post @the-cat-at-the-theatre-door​ made.  These are all the babies I was able to collect!

For the London swings, we have Greycat (who was apparently named Hysperia at one point), NBQ, AJ, Tabbygirl, Patches, a female and male version of Calico, Caramel, Victor, and the Walking Cover.

For the Broadway swings we have Spike, older versions of Greycat and NBQ and AJ, and a handful of nameless cats.

For the China 2012 production, we have Grumbuskin, Murad, Noilly Prat, Olivia, and Quaxo (the latter four have shown up in different productions such as the Australasia and World Tours).

The Gothenburg 2006 production gives us Isis, Ramses, Garbo, and Shakespeare.  They also have swings named Agustus, Moses, Savannah, and Tintomara, but I was unable to find pictures of them.

The Warsaw 2004 production gives us Fraszka, Fantasia, Sierściuch, and Zyleta/Kocik le Miau.  They also have swings named Angelika, Mamrotka, Turbo Ptys, Menello Bianco, and Kara Kotek, but they also don’t have pictures available.

The Tecklenburg 2015 production has a frankly ridiculous amount of swings, but the “main” ones--the ones who take bows with the main cast--have been named Rocketta, Eris, Barnaby, Buttons, Bonzo, and Mab (shout-out to @rumplteazer​ for coming up with them!).  The rest are just part of the circus background chorus.

From the Thunerseespiele 2017 production, we have Ishtar, Luna, Roxy (based on a hashtag suggestion from the actress’s Instagram), and another handful of unnamed swings.

The 2003 World Tour gave us Jonathan.

And the 2009 Italian Tour gave us Caligola, as well as an unpictured swing named Paride who apparently resembles Asparagus with a Cassandra-style rolled wig.

If anyone knows of another other swings I was unable to find, or if anyone can find pictures of the others I mentioned, feel free to add on!

#cats the musical #swing cats #I have the awful feeling this isn't even a comprehensive list--curse my love of minor characters. XD #But yeah I hope everyone enjoys this! <3