How long does the CATS musical last?

Question

I mean like how many hours/minutes.....=-]

Answer 1

forever, those cats never stop singing, you just want it to end.

Answer 2

Usually not too much over 2 hours. Why don't you get a list of the songs and find out how long each song is, then add up the times. You'll probably have to add 15 minutes t it for intermission time.

Here's the songs.

1 Overture
2 Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats
3 The Naming of Cats
4 The Invitation to the Jellicle Ball
5 The Old Gumbie Cat
6 The Rum Tum Tugger
7 Grizabella, The Glamour Cat
8 Bustopher Jones
9 Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer
10 Old Deuteronomy
11 The Jellicle Ball
12 Memory
13 The Moments of Happiness
14 Gus, The Theatre Cat
15 Growltiger's Last Stand / the Ballad of Billy McCaw
16 Skimbleshanks, The Railway Cat
17 Macavity, The Mystery Cat
18 Mr. Mistoffelees
19 Memory
20 The Journey to the Heavyside Layer
21 The Ad-dressing of Cats

Answer 3

well I have the vhs but the dvd "Cats - The Musical (Ultimate Edition) (1998)" lasts 120 minutes according to amazon.com listings and that sounds about right based on watching the vhs :o)

One of the best musicals EVER!!!

Answer 4

That is an interesting question I hope you'll find valuable answers

Answer 5

Cannot be accurately claimed!!!

Answer 6

not sure but to long i know for sure.

Answer 7

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. The show then 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 8,949 performances in London and 7,485 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. 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 8 October 2006, when it was surpassed by Les Miserables.

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.


Act One
The musical starts out with the overture. The cats then start to 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).

Afterwards, 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".

The Rum Tum Tugger stops and backs off the stage. 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). (NOTE: This first entrance of Grizabella is actually part of The Rum Tum Tugger and not a separate song, though it can be considered as such.)

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 clubs and making many speeches at various events.

It is silent and two black and orange calico cats sneak out. They are petty burglars, very mischievous, and enjoy causing trouble for human families (Mungo jerrie 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”. He is the one who will choose which Jellicle cat will go to the Heavyside Layer.

Munkustrap once again states why the cats are there. In most productions, 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).

Grizabella shows up once again 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 (Memory). (NOTE: This song is NOT Memory, though it sounds very similar to it. The real title is Grizabella: the Glamour Cat.)


Act Two
Grizabella leaves and the cats sing of “what happiness is” (The Moments of Happiness).

Gus — or, to give his full name, Asparagus — shuffles forward (Gus: The Theatre Cat). He is the cat that once was a famous actor but now he is old and “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.

We then see a sleeping cat in the corner (Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat). Skimbleshanks 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”.

Lights start to flash and we hear an evil laugh (Macavity: The Mystery Cat). It is the most wanted cat, Macavity. 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. None of the cats know what to do when he is gone. The Rum Tum Tugger suggests they find Mr. Mistoffelees (Mr. Mistoffelees: The Conjuring Cat). 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 Heavyside 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

GrizabellaAdmetus - A young cat, who in many productions, also doubles as Macavity or Rumpus Cat. Omitted from some productions.
Alonzo - A black and white tom in most productions; in the US and the first German productions, he is depicted as being black and gold. Often considered the 'second-hand-man' to Munkustrap.
Asparagus (Gus) - The theatre cat. In the filmed version, Gus and Asparagus are two separate characters; whereas 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."
Bill Bailey - A young black, white, and brown male. Sometimes interchangeable with the character of Tumblebrutus. Omitted from some productions.
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 '25 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.
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. Omitted from some productions.
Cassandra - A brown and cream Burmese female, with a braided tail and rolled wig. Unique and somewhat mysterious. In some Japanese productions, Cassandra is known as Tantomile.
Coricopat - Male twin to Tantomile. Both of them are intuitive or even psychic. Omitted from some productions.
Demeter - She is very skittish; many of the CATS fan community believe this is due to a bad relationship in her past, perhaps a run-in with Macavity. She is close friends with Bombalurina.
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. Omitted from some productions.
Exotica - A female character who only appears in the filmed version, and was a role created specially for Femi Taylor.
George - A young male kitten, omitted from most 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.
Grizabella - The former Glamour Cat who has lost her sparkle and now only wants to be accepted.
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".
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 - Named after T.S. Eliot's cat. A female who watches out for the kittens, along with Jennyanydots. She has a close relationship with Gus.
Jemima - Can be used interchangeably with Sillabub. Jemima is used in most international productions including the video. Sillabub was a name created for the American productions. However, Japanese casts include both Sillabub and Jemima as different characters.
Jennyanydots - The old Gumbie cat. She sits all day and rules the mice and cockroaches at night.
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.
The Magical Mr. Mistoffelees - A young tom who has magical powers including the ability to create flash explosions. His signature dance move is "The Conjuring Turn", which is approximately twenty-five spins on one foot. In most productions, Mistoffelees has an alter-ego named Quaxo, who appears as a general chorus cat throughout the show, and is dressed slightly differently.
Mungojerrie - Half of a pair of notorious "cat-burglars", Mungojerrie and Rumpelteazer. Usually plays Ghengis/Gilbert.
Munkustrap - A black and silver tom who is leader and protector of the Jellicle tribe. He also narrates "The Pekes and the Pollicles." Considered the storyteller of the tribe.
Old Deuteronomy - The lovable patriarch of the Jellicle Tribe. He is very old and usually slow-moving.
Plato - Sometimes used interchangeably with George or Admetus. He does a pas de deux with Victoria during the Jellicle Ball. Omitted from some productions. The actor usually also plays Macavity.
Pouncival - A playful tom kitten, generally interchangeable with Carbucketty.
Rumpleteazer - Female half of a pair of notorious "cat-burglars", Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer. 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 noticeable by his wild mane.
Rumpus Cat - The great spiky haired brave cat with glowing red eyes, as mentioned in 'The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles', seen as a super hero figure amongst 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.
Sillabub (see Jemima), The Broadway version's Jemima, although the Japanese version contains both.
Skimbleshanks - The railway cat. An active orange tabby cat who lives on the trains and acts as an unofficial chaperone.
Tantomile - Female twin of Coricopat. Both of them are perceived as intuitive or even psychic.
Tumblebrutus - US counterpart for Bill Bailey.
Victor - A young male. Sometimes known as part of the "Cats chorus". Omitted from some productions.
Victoria - A white kitten extremely gifted in dancing. The "official" Jellicle Ball begins with her solo dance.