บทละครเพลง ที่ได้รับการกล่าวขาน ว่าเป็นละครเพลง The Big Four ของโลกการละคร ซึ่งคาดการณ์ว่า คงเป็นหนึ่งในมหกรรมวัฒนธรรมระดับโลก ที่ สมัคร สุนทรเวช น่าจะรอคอยชื่นชม ในความประทับใจแห่งการถามหา ความดี ความงาม และความจริง ผ่านบทเปรียบเปรยในโลกแห่งแมว

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อ้างอิง - ภาพ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cats_(musical)

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และเฝ้าฝันที่จะได้ชื่นชม ความยิ่งใหญ่ของบทประพันธ์ และละครเพลงเรื่องเยี่ยมของโลก ในฐานะสาวกผู้รักแมวเป็นชีวิตจิตใจ และรักเทิดทูนความงามของการเมือง โดยเฉพาะอย่างยิ่งเมื่อถามหาว่า ดินแดนอันยิ่งใหญ่สุดวิเศษ ซึ่งแมวทั่วไปจะได้รับการประกาศชื่อ ให้ขึ้นสู่ดินแดนนี้ จะเป็นเช่นไร

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ในการถามหา

ว่าแมวตัวใดจะได้ไปเกิดใหม่ ยังดินแดนสุดวิเศษ

คงไม่ใช่แค่เพียง ให้แต่ละคนอธิบายตัวตน บอกกล่าวถึงหนทางแห่งความดีงามในตัวตนของตนเพียงลำพัง แต่ยังหมายถึงการอธิบายถึง ความโลภ ความอิจฉา ริษยา เหยียดหยาม เย้ยหยัน เล่ห์เหลี่ยมกลโกง ความอ่อนแออ่อนด้อย ด้านมืดอันรันทด ด้านอันเหิมเกริมในใจ

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ผ่านรูปลักษณ์ของแมว

จึงได้เฝ้าเพียงคาดหวัง และหวังใจว่า คุณสมัคร สุนทรเวช คงได้ไปชมละครเพลงเรื่องยิ่งใหญ่เรื่องนี้ของโลก เพื่อสะท้อนมุมมองความคิด ชีวิต หนทาง และที่อันพึงจะก้าวไป สู่ดินแดนอันยิ่งใหญ่ซึ่งแมว และมนุษย์ต่างใฝ่หา

ด้วยคุณค่าแห่งความดี ความงาม และความจริง

ในตัวตนของมนุษย์

Cats (musical)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cats is an award-winning musical composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats and other poems by T. S. Eliot. The show has been performed around the world in numerous productions and has been translated into more than 20 languages.

[hide]

[edit] Production history

Cats was first shown in London's West End, at the New London Theatre, on May 11, 1981. It was originally produced onstage by Cameron Mackintosh and Lloyd Webber's The Really Useful Theatre Company. It was directed by Trevor Nunn, associate director and choreographer Gillian Lynne, designed by John Napier with lighting by David Hersey. It played a total of 8,949 performances in London. Its final performance in London's West End was on its 21st birthday, May 11, 2002 and broadcast on a large screen in Covent Garden to the delight of fans who could not acquire a ticket for the final performance. It held the record as the world's longest running musical until October 8, 2006 when it was surpassed by Les Misérables.

The original 1981 London cast of Cats.

The show made its debut on Broadway on October 7, 1982 at the Winter Garden Theatre with the same production team. On June 19, 1997, Cats became the longest running musical in Broadway history with 6,138 performances. It played a total of 7,485 performances in New York. Its New York record was surpassed on January 9, 2006, by The Phantom of the Opera, which was also composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Cats' final performance on Broadway was on September 10, 2000.

In 1998, Andrew Lloyd Webber produced a video version of Cats, based upon the stage performance augmented for the medium of film, starring Elaine Paige, who originated the role of Grizabella in London; Ken Page, who originated Old Deuteronomy on Broadway; Sir John Mills as Gus; Michael Gruber as Munkustrap; John Partridge as The Rum Tum Tugger; and many other dancers and singers drawn largely from stage productions of the show. It was directed for film by David Mallet, with choreography and musical staging by the show's respected original creator Gillian Lynne in London's Adelphi Theatre, and was released on VHS and DVD, as well as broadcast on Television worldwide.

[edit] Plot

[edit] Act One - When Cats are Maddened by the Midnight Dance

Cast of the filmed version of Cats.

After the overture, the cats gather on stage and explain the Jellicle tribe and their purpose (Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats). The cats then give details on how the different cats of the tribe are named (The Naming of Cats).

Munkustrap appears and introduces the first cat named Jennyanydots (The Old Gumbie Cat). She "sits and sits and sits" all day, while at night she rules over the mice and cockroaches, teaching various activities to them. Jennyanydots finishes, greets the other cats, but is interrupted. The music instantly changes, and The Rum Tum Tugger makes an extravagant entrance (The Rum Tum Tugger). The Rum Tum Tugger is a tom with a wild mane and leopard spots on his chest. He is very fickle and unappeasable, "for he will do as he do do and there's no doing anything about it".

An old grey cat stumbles out and looks around. It is Grizabella. All the cats back away and glare at her with resentment. The cats sing of her saddened, unfortunate state (Grizabella: The Glamour Cat). Grizabella leaves and the music becomes upbeat. Bustopher Jones, a fat cat in "a coat of fastidious black", appears (Bustopher Jones: The Cat About Town). Bustopher Jones is among the elite of the cats, belonging to many prestigious clubs.

At the end of Bustopher Jones' song, we hear a crash from the evil cat Macavity, and the cats run off the stage in fright. Distant giggling signals the entrance of Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, two black and orange calico cats. They are petty burglars, very mischievous, and enjoy causing trouble for human families (Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer).

Finally, the Jellicle Patriarch, Old Deuteronomy, shows up (Old Deuteronomy). He is a large old cat that “has lived many lives” and “buried nine wives (And more--I am tempted to say, ninety-nine)”. He is the one who will choose which Jellicle cat will go to the Heaviside Layer.

In most productions, at this point, the cats perform a song (The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles) for Old Deuteronomy. It is a story about two dog tribes clashing in the street and subsequently being scared away by the Great Rumpus Cat. Immediately afterwards, the main celebration begins (The Jellicle Ball). After the Ball, Grizabella reappears, refusing to be left out of the festivities. Once again, she is shunned by the other cats, but that does not stop her from singing a short version of (Memory).

[edit] Act Two - Why Will the Summer Day Delay — When Will Time Flow Away?

Another crash from the villanous Macavity. The cats scatter, but Old Deuteronomy calms them down by singing of “what happiness is” (The Moments of Happiness). Gus — short for Asparagus — shuffles forward (Gus: The Theatre Cat). He is the cat that once was a famous actor but now he is old and “suffers from palsy makes his paws shake”. He is accompanied by Jellylorum, who tells of his exploits. Gus then remembers how he once played the infamous Growltiger, Terror of the Thames (Growltiger's Last Stand). He tells the story about the pirate's romance with Griddlebone and how he was overtaken by the Siamese and forced to walk the plank.

A sleeping cat in the corner (Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat) is Skimbleshanks, who is unofficially in charge of the railway train. He is very clever and very important because if he is gone “the train can’t start”.

With a third crash and an evil laugh (Macavity: The Mystery Cat), the "most wanted" cat, Macavity appears. He is a “master criminal” and never is found at the scene of the crime. He is a horrifying looking cat and a “villain” of the Jellicle Tribe. Macavity shows up and captures Old Deuteronomy. As the other cats try to follow him, Demeter and Bombalurina sing what they know about Macavity, as they have had some sort of past with him. When they are finished, Macavity returns disguised as Old Deuteronomy. When revealed by Demeter, he fights with Munkustrap.

The Rum Tum Tugger suggests that the cats find Mr. Mistoffelees ( Magical Mr. Mistoffelees). Mr. Mistoffelees is black and small and can perform many feats of magic that no other cat can do. The magical cat succeeds in bringing back Old Deuteronomy. He is praised by all the cats. The Jellicle choice can now be made.

Old Deuteronomy sits down and Grizabella appears for the final time. Old Deuteronomy allows her to have a chance to address the cats. Her faded appearance and lonely disposition have little effect on her song (Memory). The appeal succeeds and she is chosen to be the one (Journey to the Heaviside Layer). A large tire (though it may be something else, i.e., a huge paw, a chair festooned with ivy, a literal 'stairway to heaven', etc.) rises up with Old Deuteronomy and Grizabella. Once at the top Grizabella finishes the journey herself. Old Deuteronomy gives his closing speech to the human audience (The Ad-dressing of Cats) and the show comes to a close.

[edit] Characters

[edit] Principal characters

These are primary vocal leads who usually appear in most productions. These descriptions are based off of more recent versions of the show as they appear in London and European tours. Costumes and characterizations vary by place and time of production.

Asparagus / Gus - The theatre cat. On stage the same actor usually plays Asparagus as a general chorus cat, and a younger version of Gus, up to the song "Gus the Theatre Cat," in which he portrays an older Gus, and Growltiger, then afterwards continues to play younger Gus, "Asparagus." In the filmed version, Gus and Asparagus are two separate characters.
Bombalurina - A saucy red female, often believed to be the leader of the female "queen" cats. She is close friends with Demeter, and seems to have a thing for Rum Tum Tugger.
Bustopher Jones - A fat cat, a "twenty-five pounder." Dresses in a snappy tuxedo and spats. Respected by all, as the upper class "St James' Street Cat." In most productions, the actor playing Gus also plays Bustopher, though in early productions the part was handled by the actor playing Old Deuteronomy.
Demeter - A very skittish female cat; many of the fan community believe this is due to a bad relationship in her past, perhaps a run-in with Macavity. She is close with Bombalurina.
Grizabella - The former Glamour Cat who has lost her sparkle and now only wants to be accepted. Grizabella left the tribe when she was younger to see the world for herself. In doing so she faced the harshness of the outside world.
Griddlebone - A fluffy white Persian cat, and Growltiger's lover in "Growltiger's Last Stand," where she sings "The Ballad of Billy McCaw" or the mock Italian aria "In Una Tepida Notte" (depending on production) with Growltiger. Almost always played by the actress playing Jellylorum. Does not appear in productions which omit "Growltiger's Last Stand," such as the video production.
Growltiger - A theatrical character Gus recalls playing in his youth, and who appears in Gus' memory of the production of "Growltiger's Last Stand." In some productions he is portrayed as a vicious pirate; in others he's more of a parody of a pirate. Does not appear in productions which omit "Growltiger's Last Stand."
Jellylorum - A female who watches out for the kittens, along with Jennyanydots. She has a close relationship with Gus. Named after T.S. Eliot's own cat.
Jennyanydots - The old Gumbie cat. She sits all day and rules the mice and cockroaches at night.
Mr. Mistoffelees - A young tom with magical powers. His signature dance move is "The Conjuring Turn," which is approximately twenty-five spins on one foot. In UK and US productions, Mistoffelees has an alter-ego named Quaxo, who appears as a general chorus cat throughout the show, and is dressed slightly differently. In many other productions Quaxo is a separate character.
Mungojerrie - Half of a pair of notorious cat-burglars, with Rumpelteazer.
Munkustrap - The show's de facto narrator. A black and silver tom who is leader and protector of the Jellicle tribe.
Old Deuteronomy - The lovable patriarch of the Jellicle Tribe. He is very old and usually slow-moving.
Rumpleteazer - Female half of a pair of notorious cat-burglars, with Mungojerrie. Her name can also be spelled "Rumpelteazer," the spelling originally used by T.S. Eliot; this is the spelling used by most productions.
The Rum Tum Tugger - The ladies' tom. His temperament ranges from clownish to serious, and often sexual depending on the production; however, he is always flirtatious, and usually portrayed as a feline equivalent of Mick Jagger or Elvis Presley, and recognisable by his wild mane.
Skimbleshanks - The railway cat. An active orange tabby cat, who lives on the trains and acts as an unofficial chaperone.
Macavity - He is the show's only real villain. The character is a literary allusion to the Sherlock Holmes character Professor Moriarty. Usually played by the same actor as Plato or Admetus.

[edit] Other characters

Chorus and dance roles. Many non-principal characters are omitted from some productions.

Admetus - A young cat, who in many productions, also doubles as Macavity. In the video, he doubles as the Rumpus Cat.
Alonzo - A black and white tom in most productions; in the US and the early European productions, he is depicted as being black and gold. Often considered the 'second-hand-man' to Munkustrap.
Bill Bailey - Primarily from the London production, a young white, and brown male. Sometimes interchangeable with the character of Tumblebrutus.
Carbucketty - The name was one of T.S. Eliot's ideas for cat names for a "knockabout cat." Sometimes interchangeable with the character of Pouncival.
Cassandra - A brown and cream Siamese female, with a braided tail and rolled wig. Unique and somewhat mysterious.
Coricopat - Male twin to Tantomile. Both are highly intuitive or possibly psychic.
Electra - An orange and black tabby kitten who seems to be friends with Etcetera as well as a fan of Rum Tum Tugger.
Etcetera - A happy, energetic kitten who is a big Rum Tum Tugger fan.
Exotica - A female character who first appreared in the filmed version, and was a role initially created specially for Femi Taylor. The character also appears in the South African and World Tour.
George - A young male kitten. Only appeared in early London productions.
Ghengis or Gilbert - The leader of the crew of Siamese cats who lead to Growltiger's demise. Usually played by the actor who portrays Mungojerrie, Tumblebrutus, or Coricopat. In Japan Gilbert is a separate character.
Jemima - A kitten who is also a Rum Tum Tugger fan and friends with Electra, Etcetera, and Victoria. Can be sometimes used interchangeably with Sillabub, though Jemima is used in most international productions including the video — Sillabub was a name created for the American productions. However, the Japanese and Swedish casts include both Sillabub and Jemima as different characters.
Plato - Teenage male cat; the actor usually doubles as Macavity. He does a pas de deux with Victoria during the Jellicle Ball.
Pouncival - A playful tom kitten, generally interchangeable with Carbucketty.
Rumpus Cat - A spiky-haired cat with glowing red eyes, as mentioned in "The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles," seen as a sort of superhero figure among the Jellicles. Does not appear in productions which omit the song "The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles." Usually played by Alonzo or Admetus. In some productions the actor is launched through the floor stage via a star trap.
Sillabub (see Jemima), the Broadway version of Jemima, although the Japanese and Swedish productions include both.
Tantomile - Female twin of Coricopat. Both are portrayed as highly intuitive or possibly psychic.
Tumblebrutus - Young brown and white male kitten. His UK counterpart is considered to be Bill Bailey.
Victor - Primarily a character from the London production, a young male.
Victoria - A white kitten gifted in dancing. The "official" Jellicle Ball begins with her solo dance.