This is the character sheet for the musical Cats. All characterisations are based on the 1998 video unless otherwise noted.
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Featured Cats
Cats with individual songs, listed in chronological order. The Old Gumbie Cat/Jennyanydots
Played by: Susie McKenna (1998 film), Rebel Wilson (2019 film)
"When the day's hustle and bustle is done, then the Gumbie Cat's work is but hardly begun."
- Adaptational Comic Relief: Jennyanydots is more played up for comedy in the film.
- Adaptational Dye-Job: In the film, she has a coat of faded orange, while in the show, she's more vibrantly-colored.
- Adaptational Jerkass: Jennyanydots, while still portrayed as a hero, is much more unfriendly in the film. In the musical, she acted as a leader and friend to the cockroaches. In the movie, she eats them if they aren't performing well enough,
- Adaptational Nationality: In the 2019 film, she becomes Australian due to her actress being from there.
- Age Lift: Jennyanydots is a grandmotherly cat in the musical, but much younger and played by Rebel Wilson (39 at the time of filming) in the 2019 film.
- Cats Are Lazy: Subverted. She does spend all day sleeping to give off this impression, but she's very active at night.
- Needlework Is for Old People: She's one of the older 'grandmotherly' cats in the stage show, and she teaches the mice various forms or needlework by night. In the 1998 video, she's also seen working on a cat-patterned sewing project with Jellylorum during the Rum Tum Tugger's song.
- Never Mess with Granny: During the fight with Macavity, after the villain has knocked aside some of the fit younger tomcats, Jenny joins the fight along with Jellylorum and others, and helps to drive him off.
- Obfuscating Stupidity: She lazes around all day for the benefit of her owners, but at night keeps the house clean with the help of the vermin, having single-handedly changed them from their usual nature.
- Pest Controller: A benevolent example who teaches professional and artistic skills to mice and roaches, even leading them in a dance number.
- Pretty in Mink: In the filmed version, she's introduced wearing a fur coat — though she disrobes during her song.
- Ship Tease: With Bustopher Jones, he gives her a flower at the end of the song and Jenny is delighted.
- White Man's Burden: Invoked and gently parodied: she's coded as a wealthy high-society dame who takes pity on "lesser races" (namely cockroaches, beetles, and mice) and takes it upon herself to help them by educating them and putting them to work.
The Rum Tum Tugger
Played by: John Partridge (1998 film), Jason Derulo (2019 film)
A black and gold leopard-spotted cat with a large fluffy mane. He is the rock-star of the tribe, a wild anarchic energy adored by the younger characters, and tolerated by those older.
- Adaptational Dye-Job: Rum Tum Tugger is a shade of brown in the film, while his stage counterpart had blonde fur.
- Adaptational Jerkass: His positive traits from the stage show are downplayed in the film, notably his admiration of Mr. Mistoffelees.
- Attention Whore: The Rum Tum Tugger loves him some attention, and the other cats are happy to give it.
- Annoying Younger Sibling: While it's never stated in the musical itself, certain productions present Rum Tum Tugger as being Munkustrap's younger brother. Which would make him this as he often annoys Munkustrap with his antics.
- Chick Magnet: His song is rife with the female cats fawning over him, down to him shushing one who is shrieking in delight.
- Commander Contrarian: The Rum Tum Tugger always wants something else if you give him what he asks for.Rum Tum Tugger: If you put me in a house, I would much prefer a flat. If you put me in a flat, then I'd rather have a house. If you set me on a mouse, then I only want a rat. If you set me on a rat, then I'd rather chase a mouse.
- Cool Cat: Very suave, cool, and popular, with rock-star charisma.
- Even the Guys Want Him: You can see some of the male kittens — namely Pouncival — freaking out during his song.
- Everything's Louder with Bagpipes: He plays them during "The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles" as the Pollicle dogs are introduced, and it seems to annoy Munkustrap.
- Jerk with a Heart of Gold: The Rum Tum Tugger may be a casanova who breaks hearts as often as he steals them from the female Jellicles, but he shows great respect to Deuteronomy (believed to be his father), tells the others how to bring him back when he's kidnapped, and at the end of Mistoffelees' character song, gives all credit to him when Deuteronomy asks who (if he hadn't) brought him back.
- Mr. Fanservice: Rum Tum Tugger is quite the ladies' cat. He's a flamboyant cat with a lot of sexualized scenes.
- No Celebrities Were Harmed: In many if not most productions, he takes quite a few cues from Mick Jagger.
- Pelvic Thrust: Does this a lot during his song. In the 1998 filmed version, he even does it to Etcetera right in her face.
- Playing Hard to Get: The Rum Tum Tugger only likes what he finds for himself.
- Spell My Name with a "The": In his song he's always referred to as the Rum Tum Tugger.
- A Wild Rapper Appears!: His brief London stint as a "street cat" made him rap his lines. No one was amused, and over a year later, he went back to being a Mick Jagger expy.
Grizabella the Glamour Cat
Played by: Elaine Paige (1998 film), Jennifer Hudson (2019 film)
- Adaptational Attractiveness: Grizabella is traditionally portrayed with an old withered face and runny makeup that give her a "washed up" appearance. Hudson's version in the film looks much younger and cleaner.
- All of the Other Reindeer: She is shunned from the tribe throughout the musical until they hear her song and accept her in the end.
- Dancing with Myself: Dances on her own when the other cats refuse to let her dance with them at the Jellicle Ball.
- Determinator: Despite collapsing halfway through "Memory", a little encouragement from Jemima is able to get her back onto her paws and help her finish the song beautifully.
- The Eleven O'Clock Number: Her song "Memory" was written for the explicit purpose of being this.
- I Just Want to Be Loved: The core of her character arc over the course of the musical. "Memory" has her pleading for the other cats to just treat her with acceptance.Touch me
It's so easy to leave me
All alone with the memory
Of my days in the sun... - I Was Quite a Looker: She was a beautiful and beloved cat in her youth, but has become old and ugly.Memory, all alone in the moonlight
I can smile at the old days, I was beautiful then
I remember, the time I knew what happiness was
Let the memory live again... - Minor Character, Major Song: Even though she sings the most famous song from the musical ("Memory"), Grizabella has the least onstage time of the entire cast. As one of the cast members who played her said: "I was on stage for 17 1/2 minutes. I knitted a lot of scarves on that tour."
note - Meaningful Name: Her name translates to "Grizzled Beauty". She's a formerly beautiful cat who has come under hard times.
- White-Dwarf Starlet: So very much. "Memory" focuses in part on this, with Grizabella lamenting how beautiful and happy she was when she was younger.
- Your Makeup Is Running: She's portrayed with runny makeup, a remnant of her former beauty.
Bustopher Jones the Cat-About-Town
Played by: James Barron (1998 film), James Corden (2019 film)
- Adaptational Comic Relief: He's more played up for comedy in the movie.
- Big Eater: He's "a twenty-five pounder" who's "putting on weight every day". An entire section of his song is him listing all the pubs and restaurants he goes to in a day.
- Big Fun: A quite corpulent feline, and clearly a fun chap to hang out with.
- Blue Blood: He is said to be a member of "eight or nine clubs", which, given London society, suggests he is very high up in society.
- The Dandy: He keeps his coat immaculately clean and is described as the "Brummell of cats" — a reference to Beau Brummell, who was the foremost authority on men's fashion in early 19th century England.
- Ship Tease: With Jennyanydots in the video — he hands her a flower at the end of his song and she faints with delight.
- Smoky Gentlemen's Club: Bustopher Jones is among the elite of the cats, and visits prestigious gentlemen's clubs. Mention by name are The Siamese, The Glutton and The Tomb.
Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer
Mungojerrie played by: Drew Varley (1998 film), Danny Collins (2019 film)
Rumpleteazer played by: Jo Gibb (1998 film), Naoimh Morgan (2019 film)
Rumpleteazer played by: Jo Gibb (1998 film), Naoimh Morgan (2019 film)
"We're a notorious couple of cats."
A mischievous brother-and-sister duo. They are troublemakers and cat-burglars.
- Adaptational Dye-Job: In the film, they're predominantly brown, black, and white in color while ditching the yellow and orange shades from their original designs.
- Adaptational Villainy: While they're said to have worked with Macavity, they're only seen in the stage version committing petty thefts. In the film, they both actively drug the Jellicle Ball.
- Always Identical Twins: According to the
official website, although their coat markings are slightly different. Fridge Brilliance at work here. In real life, calico patterns are unique to the individual cat. Even an attempt at cloning a calico resulted in a completely unique pattern. - Ambiguously Related: It was originally ambiguous what their relationship is, though they're usually depicted as twins.
- Brother–Sister Team: They are both top-notch thieves, owned by the same family and do everything together.
- Gender Flip: Rumpelteazer was male in the original poems. She's a female in the play.
- Genki Girl: Rumpleteazer is very energetic, especially her giggles during the opening of their song.
- Half-Identical Twins: They're a duo of opposite-sex twins who look so similar that their owners can't tell them apart. Despite this, their markings are different.
- Mook–Face Turn: They're said to have worked with Macavity, yet they pal around with the Jellicles during the show. Mungojerrie in particular doesn't hesitate to attack Macavity when he injures Munkustrap.
- Siblings in Crime: They are literal "cat burglars" siblings and they have entire songs about how much they enjoy stealing and committing playful act of vandalism.
- Thieving Pet: They're a duo of thieves who routinely cause chaos by stealing their owners' stuff.
- Vague Age: Whether they're kittens or adults depends on the production.
Old Deuteronomy
Played by: Ken Page (1998 film), Judi Dench (2019 film)
The ancient and beloved leader of the Jellicle tribe, who makes the Jellicle choice every year.
- Adaptational Dye-Job: Old Deuteronomy is a light tan color in the film, contrasting his stage show counterpart, who's always depicted with aging gray fur.
- Big Good: All of the cats clearly love and respect him; when he shows up during his song, they swarm forward to greet and embrace him.
- Cool Old Guy: He's quite possibly supernatually old, and has 'tottery' legs, but he's generous, wise, enthusiastic, and beloved by the tribe.
- Elderly Immortal: Old Deuteronomy has lived longer than anyone can count, and he's apparently always been "Old Deuteronomy". He had already made a reputation for himself long before Queen Victoria gained the throne in England, and he's outlived at least nine (or 99) wives.
- Gender Flip: Made female in the film.
- Feeling Their Age: He mentions his legs are tottery and he has to go slow and be careful, and often Munkustrap and the younger cats lend him an arm to help him walk.
- Large and in Charge: He's bigger than most of the other cats (except maybe Bustopher Jones) with an enormous shaggy coat, and is their leader.
- Living Legend: According to his song, he's been 'famous in proverb and famous in rhyme' for ages, and though he's old, he's still very much alive.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: He's a very benevolent ruler who advises the tribe to be more tolerant of Grizabella, and is willing to listen to her when other adult cats don't want to.
- Universally Beloved Leader: He's the leader of the Jellicle tribe, and even its most mischievous and rebellious cats absolutely love and respect him. He's buried in hugs the minute he appears.
Gus the Theatre Cat
Played by: John Mills (1998 film), Ian McKellen (2019 film)
- In-Series Nickname: "Gus" is short for "Asparagus".
- Mean Character, Nice Actor: In-universe. Two roles he particularly relishes having played are Growltiger the pirate and Firefrorefiddle, "the fiend of the fell". However, he's a cat the other Jellicles love listening to and all empathise with his great age and the fact his best years are long behind him.
- Scatterbrained Senior: He seems more than a little out-of-it and confused when he's first brought on stage, being guided by Jellylorum and the other cats. Though he later gains more clarity.
- The Scrooge: Loves to tell stories of his past exploits at the club, but only "if someone else pays".
Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat
Played by: Geoffrey Garratt (1998 film), Steven McRae (2019 film)
Voiced by: David Arneil (singing voice in his song, 1998 film)
Voiced by: David Arneil (singing voice in his song, 1998 film)
"You could play no pranks with Skimbleshanks, he's a cat that couldn't be ignored. So nothing went wrong on the Northern Mail when Skimbleshanks was aboard!"
An adult ginger cat working on the Night Mail train from London to Scotland. Obsessed with punctuality and order, very neat and fastidious but friendly, fun-loving and clearly well-liked by the other cats, especially the younger ones.
- Brave Scot: Downplayed in that he doesn't do much fighting, but he has a Scottish accent in the video version, and is often seen ready to defend the kittens, and is known for being the guardian of the railway.
- Clocks of Control: He's very devoted to order and making the trains run smoothly and on schedule, and he carries a pocket watch in his waistcoat.
- Control Freak: Benign example: it's his job to make sure the trains run smoothly. He's very impeccable about keeping the trains running.
- Half-Dressed Cartoon Animal: He's the "shirt only" variant in the stage musical, but is changed to the "pants only" variant in the film.
- In-Series Nickname: During his number, the cats and the human railway staff being quoted often shorten his name to just "Skimble."
- Mascot: He's a cat who acts as the unofficial mascot to the Night Mail train.
- Waistcoat of Style: Wears one during his big number Skimbleshanks, the Railway Cat, complete with pocket watch.
Macavity the Mystery Cat
Played by: Bryn Walters (1998 film), Idris Elba (2019 film)
- Adaptational Attractiveness: Elba's fedora-clad Macavity in the movie is not as wild and scary-looking as his stage counterpart, who is usually depicted with fiery, disheveled fur and no clothes.
- Adaptational Dye-Job: Macavity is usually depicted with flaming orange and black fur, similar to that of a tiger. In the movie, his fur is dark brown. Oddly, the song describing his appearance still refers to him as ginger.
- Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking: Macavity has broken every human law, disappears from every crime scene, and the Villain Song takes place directly after he's kidnapped the tribe leader. Oh, and he cheats at cards. This is an interesting example, as it's more due to Values Dissonance than anything.
- Beyond the Impossible: According to the Villain Song about him, he has broken every human law, which means he must have committed tax evasion, murder, and genocide, among other things. Furthermore, he has somehow broken the law of gravity.
- Big Bad: Of the musical; he kidnaps Old Deuteronomy and viciously attacks Munkustrap during their brawl.
- Brought Down to Normal: Loses his teleportation powers at the end of the 2019 movie.
- Diabolical Mastermind: He's a notorious criminal genious.
- The Don: Is said to be part of a cat criminal underworld; he "controls the operation, the Napoleon of Crime".
- Evil Redhead: He's a "ginger cat" according to his "The Villain Sucks" Song.
- Expy: Of Professor Moriarty. His description is lifted nearly word-for-word from one of the Sherlock Holmes books.
- Faux Affably Evil: He is said to be "outwardly respectable" although he cheats at cards.
- Uncleanliness Is Next to Ungodliness: His coat is dusty from neglect and his whiskers are uncombed, apparently.
- The Voiceless: Macavity gives a few villainous laughs, but he never joins the Jellicles in song. Averted in the film, where he's got several lines of dialogue.
Mr. Mistoffelees
Played by: Jacob Brent (1998 film), Laurie Davidson (2019 film)
"Oh, well I never, was there ever a cat so clever as magical Mr. Mistoffelees."
- Adaptational Angst Upgrade: In the show, Mr. Mistoffelees did show nerves about using his power and made some mistakes while trying, but he was much more willing from the outset to try and bring Deuteronomy back with his magical powers. In the film, however, he's far more worried about not being up to the job and is too nervous to even try at first. While he only needed brief moments of encouragement and support from Rum Tum Tugger in the show, in the film he has to be pepped up by all the other Jellicles working together before he can pull off the trick.
- Cats Are Magic: He is a cat and a Stage Magician.
- Cats Are Snarkers: He's one of the only cats to poke fun of the Rum Tum Tugger during his titular song.
"The Rum Tum Tugger is a terrible bore."'
- Everything's Better with Sparkles: His costume during "Magical Mr. Mistoffelees" has a bunch.
- Formally-Named Pet: His name includes the title "Mr", though it's unclear if humans use that name for him.
- The Quiet One: Rum Tum Tugger states that Mistoffelees has a reputation for being very shy, quiet, and aloof, and Mistoffelees does display hesitation in using some of his powers when the limelight is turned on him; however, Rum Tum Tugger also suggests that Mistoffelees may be using that reputation partially to deceive people and cats into underestimating him.
- Shrinking Violet: He's often depicted as shy and unsure of himself. The 2019 film plays this side of him up.
- Stage Magician: Outright stated to be this during "Magical Mr. Mistoffelees". He also carries a very whimsical energy throughout the show.
Adult Cats
Listed by alphabetical order. Admetus/George
Played by: Bryn Walters (1998 film), Eric Underwood (2019 film)
A teenage cat who wants to be taken seriously as an adult, but his hyperactivity and goofiness often get in the way.
Alonzo
Played by: Jason Gardiner (1998 film), Bluey Robinson (2019 film)
Munkustrap’s best friend and second-in-command, but also a bit of a flirt. Possibly Cassandra's mate, since he's the only one she gets along with.
Asparagus
Played by:Tony Timberlake (1998 film)
An older cat who is businesslike yet jovial and tries to socialize with the kittens of the tribe to amusing results. Also good friends with Munkustrap.
Bombalurina
Played by: Rosemarie Ford (1998 film), Taylor Swift (2019 film)
A mostly red (with a white chest and black markings) cat. Bombalurina is confident, attractive, and flirtatious.
- Adaptational Dye-Job: Bombalurina traditionally sports a combination of black, white and dark orange fur in the stage show. Here, she has a much lighter and more faded coat of orange, similar to that of a real orange tabby.
- Adaptational Villainy: Bombalurina was a Good Bad Girl and loyal member of the Jellicles in the stage version. In the film, she's Macavity's right-hand feline and almost as malicious as he is,
- All Girls Want Bad Boys: Bombalurina seemed to like describing Macavity and she flirts with Tugger during his song, then later dances with him during the Jellicle Ball.
- Cats Are Snarkers: Does this a lot during her songs. She comments on Bustopher Jones as "remarkably fat" and has a bunch of witty remarks aimed at Macavity in his song.
- Good Bad Girl: Implied to be quite promiscuous, as she's often dancing provocatively around the male cats and hints at having had a thing with Macavity the Mystery Cat himself. Nonetheless, she's a good friend and shown to be very loyal to the Jellicles when it comes down to it.
- Lady in Red: Her fur is red and she's shown to be quite flirtatious with the other cats.
- Ms. Fanservice: She's often dancing quite sensually, particularly during "Macavity the Mystery Cat". Doubles as Sexy Cat Person.
- Statuesque Stunner: Her casting call describes her as "tall, slinky and very sexy", and those auditioning need to be 5'8" or taller. The 2019 film even continues the tradition, as Taylor Swift is 5'10".
Cassandra
Played by: Rebecca Parker (1998 film)
A sleek, elegant, dramatic cat.
- Lovely Assistant: In the filmed stage show, all the cats want to be chosen for Mistoffeless' magic trick, except for Cassandra. Mistoffeless chooses her anyway, much to Rum Tum Tigger's great approval. Mistoffeles makes her disappear to bring the kidnapped Old Deuteronomy back in her place. He then leaves the stage to return with Cassandra, making sure Old Deuteronomy gives her as much credit for his return as he himself has been given.
- Statuesque Stunner: The US tour casting call states that she must be at least 5'7".
- Took a Level in Jerkass: In the stage show, she only has the same level of animosity towards Grizabella as the rest of the tribe. In the film, she is much more aggressive, and actually drives Grizabella off when she tries to join the Ball.
Coricopat and Tantomile
Coricopat played by: Tommi Sliiden (1998 film), Jaih Betote (2019 film)
Tantomile played by: Kaye Brown (1998 film), Zizi Strallen (2019 film)
Tantomile played by: Kaye Brown (1998 film), Zizi Strallen (2019 film)
Two identical cats that are always seen together, and act in sync.
- Always Identical Twins: They have the exact same coat and markings.
- Twin Telepathy: They appear to have a mystical ability to sense things that are about to happen, such as sensing Old Deuteronomy's arrival. The only other cat who displays as much sensitivity as them is Mistoffelees. Unlike Mistoffelees, they are not confirmed to be magical cats, just mystically sensitive ones.
Demeter
Played by: Aeva May (1998 film), Daniela Norman (2019 film)
A beautiful but skittish and nervous black-and-gold queen. While she partakes in the tribe’s activities, she is constantly haunted by an implied troubled past with the dangerous Macavity, panicking whenever she senses he’s near.- Adaptational Dye-Job: Has one of the more noticeable costumes in the stage show, of black, gold and white. In the film, she's a Russian blue.
- Best Friend: Demeter and Bombalurina are best friends.
- Dark and Troubled Past: It is strongly implied she had some kind of past relationship with Macavity — she sings his Villain Song with Bombalurina and it is always Demeter who shouts "Macavity!" when he appears throughout the musical. Given her introverted, skittish behaviour, along with how protective Munkustrap and Bomba are of her, it's likely he did not treat her well.
- Demoted to Extra: In the stage show, she sings lead on "Grizzabella The Galamour Cat" and "Macavity The Mystery Cat", and is the one to attack Macavity after he kidnaps Deuteronomy. In the film, she plays Cassandra's wingwoman.
- Nice Girl: One of the few adult cats sympathetic to the outcast Grizabella.
- Properly Paranoid: She's very skittish, often panicking and fearing Macavity is near, though the first few times are false alarms. Later on in the show, however, Macavity does show up, attack the tribe, kidnap their beloved leader, and target Demeter in particular, showing her fears were not unreasonable.
Jellylorum
Played by: Susan Jane Tanner (1998 film), Freya Rowley (2019 film)
A sweet, matronly cat who watches after the kittens and performs alongside Gus as his leading lady.
- The Caretaker: She seems to be this for the elderly Gus, leading him and supporting him physically and emotionally.
- Team Mom: She is frequently seen protecting the kittens when there is danger around and reminds them during the Jellicle Ball, "Jellicles dry between their toes!"
Munkustrap
Played by: Michael Gruber (1998 film), Robert Fairchild (2019 film)
A large silver and black tabby. The principal narrator of the musical. Munkustrap is a leader and protector to the Jellicle cats. He loves and enjoys the company of his tribe, and when not alarmed by a perceived threat, he is genial and friendly.
- Breaking the Fourth Wall: As the Narrator, he addresses the audience multiple times throughout the show. At the beginning, he directly addresses a theoretical audience member "who has never heard of a Jellicle cat" and he explains what the Jellicle cats are, and what the purpose of the Jellicle ball is.
- Cats Are Snarkers: Has some snarky lines whilst narrating "The Pekes and the Pollicles" as the antics of the other cats start to irritate him.Munkustrap: "You never saw anything fiercer!... [looks directly into the camera with an annoyed expression] or hairier."
- Helping Granny Cross the Street: In a variation, he often lends an arm to help Old Deuteronomy or other elderly cats walk or stay balanced.
- Narrator: He explains the plot to the audience and introduces many of the tribe in their songs, but he doesn't have his own.
- Number Two: Old Deuteronomy's second-in-command. He is in-charge when the elderly patriarch isn't around and is also the first to fight Macavity when he attempts to kidnap Demeter.
- Only Sane Man: During his song "The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles", he becomes increasingly exasperated by the antics of the other cats. Throughout the performance, he's constantly dragging the other cats to where they're supposed to be standing and trying to correct their timing. When the cats all begin barking madly at each other, Munkustrap eventually has to scream "NOOOOO!" just to get everything back under control. Despite the chaos, Old Deuteronomy appears to enjoy the performance.
- Team Dad: Is in charge when Old Deuteronomy isn't around. He directs the cats during their performances of "The Old Gumby Cat" and "The Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicle", helps the older cats (Jennyanydots, Bustopher Jones, Old Deuteronomy, and later Grizzabella) when they stumble, confiscates the loot that Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer steal, and encourages the kittens hiding behind him to greet Old Deuteronomy. He also positions himself in front of other cats whenever there's danger and he attacks Macavity when he (Macavity) kidnaps Old Deuteronomy and attempts to kidnap Demeter.
- Tall, Dark, and Handsome: Munkustrap is a grey and black tabby. His casting call describes him as 'attractive' and 'strapping' and specifies that he be played by someone around or taller than 6ft.
Plato
Played by: Frank Thompson (1998 film), Eric Underwood (2019 film)
A mature but shy and socially awkward cat. The few times he comes out of his shell, it's to dance with Victoria at the Jellicle Ball...and during Rum Tum Tugger's song.
Kittens
General
- Children Are Innocent: Some of them try to approach Grizabella, but are prevented from doing so by the adult cats.
- Cute Kitten: They're played by young adult actors, often with soft-featured faces, and are often played with youthful, endearing costumes, actions, voices, and mannerisms.
- Fangirl: The female kittens are huge fans of Rum Tum Tugger. Even some of the male kittens freak out during his song.
- Pulling Your Child Away: Some of the kittens curiously try to approach Grizabella even as the adult cats shun her, but are held back.
- Vague Age: They're referred to as kittens, but portrayed by young adult actors and aren't that much smaller than the adult cats, if they are at all. The Jellicle Ball is a coming-of-age ceremony, so it can be inferred that they're meant to be in their mid-to-late teens.
Carbucketty/Pouncival
Played by: Karl Morgan (1998 film)
An energetic goofball who gets in trouble a lot.
Etcetera
Played by: Jo Bingham (1998 film)
A light tabby kitten, foil to Electra. Excitable and always getting into mischief.
- Fangirl: For the Rum Tum Tugger, along with the other female kittens.
- Genki Girl: One of the most excitable kittens, her screaming during Tugger's song is often one of the funniest parts of the musical.
- Squee: Lets a long one out at the end of Rum Tum Tugger's song that earns her stares from even the other female kittens.
Electra
Played by: Leah Sue Morland (1998 film)
A dark tabby kitten, foil to Etcetera. Quiet and mature, but can also be playful and tomboyish.
- Fangirl: For the Rum Tum Tugger, along with the other female kittens.
- The Quiet One: Electra is often described as a sombre kitten.
Jemima/Sillabub
Played by: Veerle Casteleyn (1998 film)
Voiced by: Helen Massey (1998 film)
Voiced by: Helen Massey (1998 film)
The youngest kitten in the tribe; innocent, curious, and compassionate. Has a habit of singing to the moon.
- The Baby of the Bunch: Jemima is the youngest cat in the entire tribe.
- The Cutie: The youngest and smallest kitten, sweet and innocent, and the first to accept Grizabella. Jemima joining in with Grizabella's song is what gives Grizabella the strength to continue singing it to the end.
- Fangirl: For the Rum Tum Tugger, along with the other female kittens.
- Innocent Soprano: She's the sweetest and youngest of the tribe, knowing nothing about Grizabella but having compassion for her, and she sings with a high, pure soprano voice.
- Wide-Eyed Idealist: She sings the reprise of "Memory" with Grizabella.
Tumblebrutus/Bill Bailey
Played by: Fergus Logan (1998 film)
A goofball who likes showing off, but has a mature side as well and is trying to earn the elder's respect.
Victoria
Played by: Phyllida Crowley Smith (1998 film), Francesca Hayward (2019 film)
A pure white kitten. Sweet and kind, this is her first Jellicle Ball where she's coming of age.
- Adaptational Angst Upgrade: Victoria in the movie was abandoned as a kitten by her human owners before being taken in by the Jellicles.
- Ascended Extra: Goes from being a silent dancer to the main protagonist in the 2019 film. She also gets a Movie Bonus Song called "Beautiful Ghosts".
- Audience Surrogate: In the 2019 film version, she's abandoned by her human family and meets the Jellicle cats shortly after with very little knowledge on their members and activities. Often her questions will reflect the audience, such as asking about the Heaviside Layer or Jellicile Ball.
- Dainty Little Ballet Dancers: Portrayed as very feminine and graceful, especially during her ballet solo.
- Fangirl: For the Rum Tum Tugger, along with the other female kittens.
- The Ingenue: Like Jemima, she is one of the youngest kittens. After Jemima helps Grizabella finish her song, Victoria is the first to reach out to Grizabella and touch her, thereby beginning the process of the cats accepting Grizabella back into the tribe.
- Light Is Good: She is a white kitten, a Nice Girl and the second cat to accept Grizabella at the end.
- Mating Dance: With Plato during "Jellicle Ball".
- Mystical White Hair: She's mysterious and elegant, as portrayed during her ballet solo. Her fur is stark white.
- Pink Means Feminine: In the show, her costume includes a pink bejeweled collar.
- Pragmatic Adaptation: Her outfit is meant to give the impression of a pure white cat. However, a pure white costume would wash out all details under stage lighting, so her costume usually has light gold, tan, or grey markings.
- Straight to the Pointe: Unsurprisingly does this all throughout the musical, as she is almost always played by a ballerina.
- Vague Age: Victoria is a kitten, but has Ship Tease with adult cats and is depicted in a sexualized manner as she goes through the mating dance during the ball. She's usually viewed as the equivalent of a 16-18 year old.
- Virgin in a White Dress: Her white fur is meant to give this impression.
- The Voiceless: Traditionally, Victoria has no lines and the actress/ballerina playing her emotes entirely through dance. Averted in the 2019 film, which upgrades her to the main character and makes her a speaking role.
- White Is Pure: Victoria's white coat represents her innocence and sweetness.
