the-cat-at-the-theatre-door - Tumblr blog

the-cat-at-the-theatre-door · 32 minutes

Text

another skimble !!

123 notes · View notes

the-cat-at-the-theatre-door · 10 hours

Text

Plato/Victoria but it's Prince Ferdinand and Snow White because I want them to sing "I'm Wishing/One Song" and that's really the main reason.

#Victoria #Plato #platoria #extemporize back chat #literally no other reason tbh i just want the two of them to have that ridiculously romantic disney prince and princess moment #(once upon a dream is the other one that would kill me on impact)#(but i've talked about that ad nauseum)

3 notes · View notes

the-cat-at-the-theatre-door · 21 hours

Text

Anonymus asked: Skimblegus + Asparagus’ POV (tumblr ate the ask)

So I, for fear of trust, forget to say

The perfect ceremony of love’s rite,

And in mine own love’s strength seem to decay,

O’ercharg’d with burthen of mine own love’s might.

- Sonnet 23, William Shakespeare

As with most of his acquaintances, Asparagus meets Skimbleshanks through Jennyanydots.

Keep reading

#and one more because i love them

23 notes · View notes

the-cat-at-the-theatre-door · 21 hours

Text

As the years went on and her father got older, Jellylorum noted with no small amount of concern how easily he was slipping into depression - being isolated from his family, unable to travel long distances, the old theatre’s once overflowing department dwindled down to near nothing, Gus was beginning to spend more of his time alone, and for such an extroverted fellow, it wasn’t treating him well at all. He was finding it more difficult to perform, claiming no one had interest. His students had all grown and moved on and had not been replaced. His children had grown and moved on, and they visited- of course they did, Jelly was there wasn’t she? - but it never seemed enough; they were always busy with their own lives. He visited with his surviving friends more often, but even that didn’t seem to truly bring him any lasting happiness once they’d all gone their separate ways. He would return, slightly more tipsy than before, to his wandering and muttering and sleeping the day away. He’d put a smile on for her, strained ever so slightly at the corners, and even his excitable, cheerful greetings dwindled. He seemed to be lost in a general shell of performing oneself day to day. Surviving - Jellylorum recalled her father saying to her once - not living.

The one thing, she’d noticed, that seemed to genuinely cheer him up were when visitors came to him. Specifically, and this was met with no ignorance of irony on Jellylorum’s part, smaller visitors. They were his favorites, though his general attitude would wholly suggest otherwise. He’d ask after them, occasionally, casually, as though he hardly cared for the answer. But he did - Jellylorum noticed when his ears perked with interest when she mentioned she was bringing the kittens on Sunday after lunch. Perhaps she shouldn’t have truly been surprised; her father had always been far more of a kitten at heart than perhaps was good for him. Of course he wanted them around.

After his first stroke left him quiet, foggy and numb on most of his left side, Jellylorum noted how the depression that had once only been a slow fade to grey wash was now in full swing, and how he’d withdrawn so suddenly, it was as though he’d become another cat entirely when he was brought home. His brow had settled into a stern and serious line; he’d snapped at her more than once; he didn’t seem fully in control of what he said or how he was saying it. Even the promise that he would get better with time seemed to do little for his mood.

Jelly was at a loss; so she figured an old sure fire was the way to go.

Tumblebrutus had been young and boisterous then, not fully understanding when his father took him aside to tell him what had happened. All he’d known for certain was that he’d needed to promise to be “gentle”, that grandpa couldn’t use his left paw too well, and that he might look and act different than before. Tumblebrutus paid that no particular mind; Grandpa Gus had always acted weird. He hoped maybe he knew a story with airplanes in it; Tumble had become very fond of airplanes.

He’d wandered into the dim room with his toys in his bag and his dad just behind him, ignoring the awkward, stilted conversation and making a beeline towards Gus’ bed.

“What’s this, then?” Gus had grumbled, peering suspiciously at his grandson.

“Tumble’s come to visit - isn’t that nice, dad?”

Gus had muttered something unintelligible, but he did not take his eyes from the kitten.

Tumble paused by the raised platform, unaware of how his father and aunt were observing their interaction. He almost asked for help up, but, after a moment of consideration, held out his paw expectantly instead. Curious, Gus returned the gesture.

“Hold my bag, Grandpa, I can get up all by myself now,” he’d said, hoisting the sling up into the paw Gus could use (he had been listening afterall) so he could crawl up next to him, immediately launching into all the things he’d seen on their way over.

And, for the first time in days, Gus had smiled. And talked. And laughed.

And Jelly sighed with relief.

*-*-*

Eventually, Gus regained some semblance of normalcy, though one ear had been permanently deafened and his paws still shook. He’d started to agree to more things, sick to death of staying put. His mood had softened as well, quite considerably, though the frequent visits from his grandchildren had done wonders for cranking it back up again.

However, when they figured that the gaps in his memory were no longer merely superficial or general forgetfulness (Him tilting his head and asking Jelly where his mother was should have been their first indication), it was as though they’d taken several steps back again.

Jelly noted how it was becoming more and more important that Gus was not isolated, despite his consistent requests that he was fine and didn’t need her help anymore. This time, Jelly couldn’t even fall back on the promise that he would get better; she knew he wouldn’t. And Gus, she thinks, knew it too, somewhere deep down. That’s what caused the exasperation - now his independence, his familiarity with himself at the very least, were slipping through his fingers as well. Permanently this time. And with that slipping, he had slipped emotionally, too. Now he needed to be properly cared for, and she could tell he’d hated every second of it.

Jellylorum, one to believe in practicality, figured her best plan was to repeat her previous success to boost his mood, though tweaked this time around. It is difficult with familiar faces, she has noticed; for him and them. He struggles to remember, expression dropping when the cat is presented to him and he no longer has the face to match, gets annoyed when he cannot. This strains the visit before it even begins. And it is hard on them, of course it is, that Gus seems to look through them more frequently now; she knew better than anyone, and she was the one he recognized the most.

This time, Jellylorum figured the best course was familiarity in action. Tumblebrutus and Etcetera were a touch too old for what she was planning, though he seemed to enjoy their company well enough so long as he wasn’t frustrated with minor details like who they were. No, this perhaps was a good opportunity for the newest member of the Tribe to be acquainted with the eldest - that was always a special and valued time and tradition; now perhaps more than ever.

And thankfully, Demeter had readily agreed.

When Jellylorum tells Gus now he has a special visitor, he makes no effort to hide how his face lights up. He asks who they are, plays along when she asks him to guess (though the names he pulls out haven’t even been thought about in years), actually comes down from his window to prod her, asking if it was Sunday. She laughs; settles him down and tells him to wait.

He tilted his head curiously when Demeter entered, a tiny body curled in her arms. Gus looked flabbergasted, as though that were the last thing he expected. “That’s a baby,” he muttered under his breath.

“It is. She’s here to see you.”

Gus inhaled, an expression on his face she thought perhaps they’d lost somewhere in the fog. “Oh. Marvelous.”

Demeter held Sillabub out for his inspection and he looked��overwhelmed a moment. Glancing about, up at her, then Jelly, then Sillabub; down at himself, then where they were. He hesitantly sniffed her, recoiled when she shifted. Demeter and Jellylorum watched the reaction carefully, ready to step in should anything happen. But Gus just nodded and leaned back, looking at her expectantly.

“Did you want to hold her?”

“If I may?”

Sillabub mewls when placed in his arms, echoed by a very soft, very minded: “My goodness.”

He asked after her name; he will not remember it.

Jellylorum watched as he shifted the kitten to his better side, as though he were hardly thinking of it. Like he were doing it completely by memory; by feeling.

“Mind her head,” Demeter began nervously. Jelly lightly laid a paw on her shoulder in reassurance.

Gus chuckled; strained and low, but still warm. “Mind her head,” he parroted, patting the kitten’s back. “Listen to her - I’ve been minding kittens before you were born. I can take care of it. I have three of them, you know.”

Demeter, bless her, smiled and sat back down. “Three of them?”

“Indeed,” Gus drawled, touching a little paw. “They’re grown now. But I remember them just like this. They’ll come to visit soon, I think.”

He ignores the other queens, then, as though it were just the two of them on their own in that old hall. He starts to sing to her in the quiet, gentle sigh his voice had become, and Sillabub opens her wide eyes and listens intently.

And - for the first time in a long time - the smile Gus gives Jellylorum looks just like her father again. Controlled, happy, just shy of mischevious.

She will miss that the most, she thinks.

#the benefit of writing fic is you can reblog it to your own blog as many times as you want and cry every time

49 notes · View notes

the-cat-at-the-theatre-door · 22 hours

Text

WIP/Unfinished Ficlet

“Will you still love me,” Skimbleshanks had asked, leaning over his shoulder one winter afternoon. “When I’m as ancient as you are?”

Keep reading

#I just really am a big old sap at the end of it

34 notes · View notes

the-cat-at-the-theatre-door · 23 hours

Text

#there is something very comforting about normalcy and domesticity#you know he loves you because he's woken up every morning at the crack of dawn for the better part of 40+ years#and does that for you and waves goodbye - bleary eyed but still smiling#and even as health begins to deteriorate you can still count on that small little gesture to comfort you#i'm okay but also i'm really not#the older cats man...the older cats in love man...

I’m having an emotion concerning Asparagus buttoning up Skimble’s vest in the mornings and insisting on doing it long after his vision and coordination is too poor to fasten the buttons properly unless he leans in *very* closely, and Skimble just letting him even as he starts to take longer and miss the tiny buttonholes and he ends up having to re-button them anyway, because there is something so nice about that patient little bubble they create every morning, with his husband’s head just below his chin, not once thinking that time was being wasted. Just…calmly existing.

#s/o to past me - i'm going to be hella obnoxious today on purpose i think

34 notes · View notes

the-cat-at-the-theatre-door · 23 hours

Text

Oasis why did you put that extra little interaction at the end of Skimble’s number where he often grabs Asparagus’ hand? Why did you do it - I the people need to know

#guess what kind of mood I am in today friends?#them mood <3

64 notes · View notes

the-cat-at-the-theatre-door · 24 hours

Text

these guys!!!

#CATS Musical #Alonzo #Munkustrap #alonzostrap #fanart

262 notes · View notes

the-cat-at-the-theatre-door · 1 day

Text

funny train cat (reference under cut)

#CATS Musical #Skimbleshanks #fanart

206 notes · View notes

the-cat-at-the-theatre-door · 2 days

Text

I think having a Gus the Theatre Cat style blanket (the old school ones) would fix me, actually.

#costuming #extemporize back chat #i do not have the skill nor the patience to make one angst moan and complain

4 notes · View notes

the-cat-at-the-theatre-door · 2 days

Text

do you think he felt guilty?

#CATS Musical #Munkustrap #fanart #oh ho hello munk angst

102 notes · View notes

the-cat-at-the-theatre-door · 2 days

Text

Moments captured by Yurina M. Photography of Adam Hearn as Coricopat, heavily featuring partner Dena Philpott as Tantomile.

Also with Martha-Frances Henry as Babygriz, Jaime Mollineaux as Jennyanydots, and Jamie Armour as Pouncival.

Cast 14 of the Oasis of the Seas.

#CATS Musical #CATS Oasis of the Seas #Coricopat #Tantomile

27 notes · View notes

the-cat-at-the-theatre-door · 3 days

Text

A sneaky stage view into Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer, shared by Katie Hutton in honour of World Theatre Day yesterday.

With Billy Mahoney as Mungojerrie.

Asia Tour 2022-2023.

#CATS Musical #CATS on Tour #(Asia 2022)#Mungojerrie #Rumpleteazer #videos

45 notes · View notes

the-cat-at-the-theatre-door · 3 days

Text

Although World Theatre Day was a few days ago, it will not stop Adam Davidson from celebrating today with memories of his time as Plato/Macavity in Cast 7 of the Oasis of the Seas.

With Daisy Hulbert as Victoria, Matthew Levick as Tumblebrutus, Cian Hughes as Carbucketty, and Cyril Fallar as Mistoffelees.

#CATS Musical #CATS Oasis of the Seas #Plato #platoria #because that first picture is GORGEOUS #group shots

33 notes · View notes

the-cat-at-the-theatre-door · 4 days

Text

little baby Jemima knew how to communicate with her powers before she could properly speak.

when Demeter would tuck her in for bed she’d hear the faintest sound resembling a voice saying “goodnight” to her and she'd stand there momentarily baffled thinking she was hearing things.

Until it kept occuring, a faint little voice that wouldn't say much more than a word or two every now and again. It always happened when Jemima was around, but Jemima’s lips never moved. When she wasn't alone and heard it Demeter tried to ask if anyone else could hear it, but they couldn't. So, Demeter allowed herself to think it was just in her head, a funny occurrence, or perhaps a manifestation of wishing her daughter could respond to her.

But part of her still believed that wasn't the case, and it wasn't too long until she was proven right. Bombalurina visited Demeter’s den often, practically daily when she knew Demeter wouldn’t be going out. But she’d keep on swearing she heard Jemima say her first words, greeting her, or when saying goodbye, but Demeter claimed she heard nothing at all.

Demeter only started taking this especially seriously when Alonzo had brought up similar claims of what sounded like a younger voice trying to speak with him. Saying things that happened to sync up with what the little kitten was doing.

Which eventually led them to suspect she inherited some sort of magic but old Deuteronomy only confirmed that later on.

Demeter was partially concerned, she worried if Jemima inherited anything else from her father, anything more sinister. That fortunately wasn’t the case, and Jemima eventually did communicate verbally, but Demeter always wanted her to have some air of caution toward her abilities.

Away from the backstory of it all, and focusing on the In-show context for my little interpretation:

In “Memory” when Jemima starts singing with Grizabella no one reacts to her or even acknowledges Jemima’s singing at all.

I'm not saying it's completely out of character at this point in the story for the jellicles to prohibit her from singing with Grizabella, but you’d think they’d at least turn around momentarily to see what was happening.

I know you can only see Alonzo in the clip, but everyone is in the same lane as him, (atleast in most productions I’ve watched) they’re only looking at Griz as if Jemima isn't singing at all. This leads me to think Jemima is singing to Griz in a way that only Grizabella can hear. In her mind.

#CATS Musical #Jemima #other headcanons #oh very much agree this has my brain buzzing

26 notes · View notes

the-cat-at-the-theatre-door · 4 days

Text

When Victoria's makeup has those little blushy pink elements...