THE MUSICAL
«CATS»
C h a r a c t e r s:
Автор
Munkustrap
Old Gumbie Cat/ Jennyanydots
Rum Tum Tugger
Grizabella: The Glamour Cat
Bustopher Jones
Old Deuteronomy
Skimbleshanks: the Railway Cat
Victoria
Bombalurina
Demetra
Prologue:
Кошачье племя, называющее себя "jellicle cats", собирается на ежегодный праздник; Во время пролога мы узнаем о том, кто они, собственно, такие, и в чем состоит их исключительность.
АВТОР:
Midnight. Not a sound from the pavement. Suddenly an explosion of music and lights reveals a larger-than-life junkyard. Probing car lights tear across the darkened landscape of bottles and boxes, briefly catching the darting image of a running cat. Tonight is the one special night each year when the tribe of Jellicle Cats reunites to celebrate who they are. They emerge singing of their unique abilities and special traits. The cats are at first suspicious and proud, reluctant to allow an audience into their domain.
ACT I
MUNKUSTRAP:
Hello! I am an energetic, dignified adult tabby cat that acts as a guide for the Jellicles, a protector of the kittens and a fighter of the infamous Macavity! I am strongly connected to Old Deuteronomy. I will let you know when it is time to nominate and choose the cat that will ascend to the Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a new Jellicle Life.
You might wonder who Old Deuteronomy is. He is the Jellicle Cats’ wise and respected leader who spends much of his days sitting in the sun “on the vicarage wall”! He cares about and respects each and every cat in his tribe. Old Deuteronomy can see the value of each and every cat within the Jellicle Tribe.
So shall we begin our ball?!
Появляется кошка Виктория. У неё красивый белый мех. Она грациозна и пластична. Она раскрывает тайну трёх кошачьих имён:
Victoria:
What's a Jellicle Cat? The naming of cats is a difficult matter It isn't just one of your holiday games You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter When I tell you a cat must have three different names First of all, there's the name that the family use daily Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James Such as Victor or Jonathan, George or Bill Bailey All of them sensible, everyday names There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames Such as Plato, Admetas, Electra, Demeter But all of them sensible everyday names But I tell you a cat needs a name that's particular A name that's peculiar, and more dignified Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride? Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo or Coricopat Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum Names that never belong to more than one cat But above and beyond there's still one name left over And that is the name that you never will guess The name that no human research can discover But the at himself knows, and will never confess When you notice a cat in profound meditation The reason, I tell you, is always the same: His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation Of the thought Of the thought Of the thought Of his name His ineffable, effable, effanineffable Deep, and inscrutable, singular name
ACT II
Дальнейшее действие состоит из номеров, во время которых кошки либо выдвигают достойные кандидатуры на возрождение, либо сами рассказывают о себе. Первая в ряду этих портретов -Дженниэнидотс.
MUNKUSTRAP:
- I have a Gumbie Cat in mind. Her name is Jennyanydots. Her coat is of the tabby kind with tiger stripes and leopard spots. All day she sits upon the stair or on the steps or on the mat. She sits and sits and sits and sits. And that's what makes a Gumbie Cat. That's what makes a Gumbie Cat!
Входит The Old Gumbie Cat (Старая Тетушка Кошка). Лениво и недовольно, обращаясь к зрителям
THE OLD GUMBIE CAT:
But! When the day's hustle and bustle is done then the Gumbie Cat's work is but hardly begun. And when all the family's in bed and asleep I tuck up my skirts to the basement to creep. I am deeply concerned with the ways of the mice. Their behavior’s not good and their manners not nice. So when I have got them lined up on the matting I teach them music, crocheting and tatting
I think that the cockroaches need employment to prevent them from idle and wanton destroyment. So I’ve formed from that lot of disorderly louts a troop of well disciplined helpful boy scouts with a purpose in life and a good deed to do. And I've even created a Beetles tap too!
MUNKUSTRAP:
For she's a jolly good fellow! Thank you my dear!
ACT III
THE RUM RUM TUGGER:
Meow Meow
If you offer me pheasant I'd rather have grouse. 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
When you let me in, then I want to go out. I'm always on the wrong side of every door and as soon as I'm at home, then I'd like to get about. I like to lie in the bureau drawer. But I make such a fuss if I can't get out.
MUNKUSTRAP:
The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat
TUGGER:
And it isn't any use for you to doubt it. And there's no doing anything about it!
My disobliging ways are a matter of habit. If you offer me fish, then I always want a feast. When there isn't any fish, then I won't eat rabbit. If you offer me cream, then I sniff and sneer. For I only like what I find for myself… No. So you'll catch me in it right up to my ears. If you put it away on the larder shelf
MUNKUSTRAP:
The Rum Tum Tugger is artful and knowing
The Rum Tum Tugger doesn't care for a cuddle
TUGGER:
- But I'll leap in your lap in the middle of your sewing
For there's nothing I enjoy like a horrible muddle!
ACT IV
АВТОР: Slinking out of the shadows, Grizabella appears, wearing a ragged and worn out coat, her once beautiful dress torn to shreds. She moves slowly and carefully, cautiously watching the Jellicle Cats who eye her with suspicion. After leaving the Jellicle Tribe many years ago, the cats refuse to accept her back into the fold.
MUNKUSTRAP:
Remark the Cat who hesitates towards you in the light of the door which opens on her like a grin. You see the border of her coat is torn and stained with sand. And you see the corner of her eye twist like a crooked pin
TUGGER:
She haunted many a low resort near the grimy road of Tottenham Court. She flitted about the no man's land from the rising sun to the friend at hand