#I at least. AT LEAST need to see the tuggoffelees moment at the end where macavity taunts mistoffelees and tugger HOLDS HIS HANDS SKGNRIGJR

[eye-may]

every day. every day I am newly gutted by the lack of cats il sistina 2022 footage

[sevenkittensinatrenchcoat]

Would You Sit On His Throne: Old Deut and His Kids

So, it’s generally understood that Old Deuteronomy has a lot of kids, but the two cats that are definitely his kids are Munkustrap and Tugger. That’s the explanation that most people who’ve been in a production, or near a production, will give you. Sometimes Macavity might be thrown in there as well, but that’s really more of a popular headcanon that’s popular with actors as well as fans. It’s not official.

Other than that, everything else is speculation that varies from production to production. The only other cat that’s ever been confirmed as a son of Old Deuteronomy is Mistoffelees in Jacob Brent’s commentary. I’ve seen this as a headcanon in fan circles, but he’s the only one officially tied to a production to say it. Because of how that stands out, I’ve always been curious about where it came from. Why is this production, the most well-known production, apparently so different from the others? Brent didn’t mention Munkustrap or Tugger as Old D’s sons or as Misto’s brothers either.

Because of that last sentence, I don’t consider this a debunking of Tuggoffelees. It wasn’t being done intentionally here, but this doesn’t make it into an Incestuous Sin Ship. Tugger might not be Old D’s son in this version. But, Tugger feels like Old D’s son in this version. So does Munkustrap. But, for the most part, Mistoffelees doesn’t. No matter what’s said, if I hadn’t been told about it, I never would’ve suspected any relation between Old D and Misto. Yeah, they both have magic, but it’s not the same. Old D has this sort of vague, spiritual power while Misto’s powers are far more direct. Also, Misto can teleport cats to him from unknown locations and Old D can’t use magic to escape a net being thrown over his head. And magic isn’t always hereditary in fiction anyway.

I don’t need to do a whole essay to explain why Old D as Misto’s dad doesn’t work for me. That’s not actually what I’m doing here. I’m not thinking about the logical reasons why this might not make sense, but rather, what I said about it not feeling like Old D and Misto are father and son. When watching them interact, it doesn’t feel like watching a father and son interact, except for the reunion after Misto brings Old D back.

Then I started watching other productions.

When I watched the Zurich 1992 bootleg, it felt more like Misto could be Old D’s son, because they interacted slightly differently. Misto in that bootleg was played by Lindsay Chambers, who was playing Misto on Broadway when Jacob came onto the project, which is probably why their characterizations seem so similar, and might be where the idea of Misto as Old D’s son came from. They could’ve been playing it that way in Zurich and Chambers just continued it on Broadway, and that’s what Jacob learned.

But, there was really one specific moment that stood out to me when it came to Old D and Misto. This doesn’t just apply to the two versions I’ve mentioned previously, but to all of them. I think there’s one moment that establishes who Old D’s kids are in each production, or at least what an audience without context might be able to guess.

It’s the end of the Old Deuteronomy number, when he’s first seated on his throne.

So, Old D appears, he sits on the tire, which becomes a sort of throne, and most of the cats sit on the floor, facing the tire. But, a few remaining standing, on or near the tire, facing the crowd, almost on the same level as Old D. They’re associated with Old D and they seem important up there. This is the Jellicle Royal Family.

I’m going to show a lot of pictures from different productions, many of them bootlegs or cheaply filmed pro-shots where it’s difficult to see who’s who at times, which is why I’m circling the characters standing by the throne. It’s unnecessary here, but I need everything to be consistent because I’m just Like That, I guess. So, from here on out, Tugger will be circled in red, because it’s the sexy color. Gray fur on cats is often called blue, so Munk gets blue. Also it contrasts with red. In productions where there’s someone else up there, they’ll be circled in white, because it’s neutral and contrasts with both red and white. The choice of red, white, and blue is not meant to contain any patriotic message. It might look a bit silly though.

Anyway, Munkustrap and Tugger end the number standing beside Old D. They also performed the number. It makes sense, with them both taking the lead, to see them as connected to Old D. Munkustrap has taken a leadership role throughout the show, but Tugger disappeared after his own number and this is something new with him. It’s pretty clear by now that they’re both important in the tribe’s hierarchy. You’ll also notice that Munk’s standing a bit closer to Old D than Tugger is. He generally seems to prefer to keep the others at a distance and, as the younger son, he’s not as important in this moment.

Now, this is just one version. Here’s another one:

This is from Madrid. It’s pro-shot and in good quality, so it’s also pretty easy to see everyone, though Munkustrap is kind of fading into the shadows here.

This UK Tour bootleg is terrible, so the circles were definitely needed here. Tugger is even further away in this version. And Munkustrap, Cat of the People, is still on the ground, but he’s holding Old D’s hand.

The German Tent Tour bootleg is a bit better quality, but Munk and Tugger are on opposite sides of the tire from where they usually are.

So far, I’ve been showing London-based productions. Are Broadway-based productions any different? Well...

The Troika tour used different staging, so Old D’s still standing at the end, surrounded by various members of the crowd. However, most Broadway-based productions aren’t like this.

Buenos Aires was, like most international productions before the VHS, Broadway-based. Tugger is camouflaged on the pipe, but everyone’s in a similar place to where they usually are.

Even in the Broadway Revival, which restages some of the numbers, it’s the same cats up front. The only major difference is that Tugger isn’t off to the side. This Tugger is less standoffish and more openly affectionate than most Tuggers, so this makes sense.

So, Old D is always surrounded by his two sons. But, then there are Vienna-based productions:

Munkustrap is where he usually is and Tugger is only slightly closer than he usually is, but look: Mistoffelees, after bringing Old D on stage, instead of joining the others as he usually does, goes up front and sits down next to him, so there are three cats on Old D’s throne.

The Paris version, despite being pro-shot, turned into such a blob that not even circles would save it:

Tugger and Misto cuddle up to Old D, but good luck figuring that out.

And here’s the all-important Zurich production. Tugger is behind the throne, while Munk and Misto are on either side, framed almost equally. This is the version where Misto spends most of the first act being awkward and getting into trouble. He’s usually not allowed around the important people. But, with Old D, nobody questions it. He’s supposed to be there.

In these versions, Misto is placed with the cats who sing the song. Along with having the job of getting Old D, this puts him on their level. He seems like another son here. If the VHS was staged this way, more people probably would’ve headcanoned Misto as Old D’s son.

As an added bonus, here’s the Hamburg version. It’s not Vienna-based, but it also puts Misto up front. Tugger still sings his verse in this version, but he doesn’t get near the throne. It might be that he’s just out of frame, since this is a bootleg, filmed by people who probably didn’t know exactly what to film, but he’s usually placed somewhere where he’d be visible from this distance. Instead, Munk and Misto are at Old D’s two sides, in a near equal way, similar to Zurich.

So, that’s my take. In any given productions, the characters I see as Old D’s sons are the ones who stand by his throne when he gets there. That framing gives off that vibe. Because the VHS didn’t do this, it’s hard to see Misto as Old D’s son there.

I’ll end with the other pictures I took that I didn’t use, because I put too much effort into this:

Mexico 1991. Pretty normal.

Moscow. Old Munkustrap’s in frame in this one, so interpret that how you will.

The Forbidden Korean Non-Replica also only has Munk up there. He appears to be crying tears of joy because his dad showed up.

[uppastthejelliclemoon]

Sick/injured human AU Misto and Tugger for the trope mashup please??

(I know that the trope mash up is only supposed to be a summary of the story, and I’m doing summaries for everything else, but this one I just had to write because it’s a perfect opportunity to elaborate on some Tuggoffelees for the AU!)

(@queencurlycrown @kineticjellyfish @terpsichorian come get some human AU pre-relationship Tuggoffelees)

Mistoffelees and Victoria Jones were both at the height of their performance. 

Both siblings had been offered prestigious invitations to join the Royal Ballet, and the twins were ecstatic. 

Finally, their hard work was paying off, and they were being recognized for their talent. 

They were doing one final performance before their invitations to join the Royal Ballet were confirmed, and Mistoffelees’ nerves were through the roof. His performance followed Victoria’s, and he was waiting in the wings, watching his sister as she danced elegantly around the stage. Mistoffelees hopped up and down, he fiddled with his outfit, anything to calm himself. 

Victoria completed her dance to thunderous applause, and she gracefully left the stage, her calm composure completely falling as she threw her arms around Mistoffelees with a squeal. 

“That was a rush!” she exclaimed. “Are you ready?” Mistoffelees took a deep breath, and nodded. Victoria looked him over, brushing away invisible dust. “Did you stretch? Are your shoes fitting?”

“Yes, Mother.” Mistoffelees said teasingly, making Victoria giggle. She gave him a light peck on the cheek before ushering him onto the stage, where he stood at the center, waiting for his music to begin. 

As soon as he began to dance, Mistoffelees knew something was wrong. 

His legs felt tight, his back wasn’t letting him stretch as far as he needed to.  Horror filled the dancer as he realized what had happened. 

He had been so enthralled in watching his sister, so obsessed with his nervousness and anxiety, that he had forgotten to stretch. 

Mistoffelees hid his fear and continued to dance, trying not to wince every time he pulled at an unprepared muscle. He prepared himself for one of his final jumps, and as he stretched out his legs, he felt a sharp pain in his calf, as if someone had just kicked him.

As he landed on his left foot, Mistoffelees heard something pop, and he felt a sharp, stabbing pain in his calf, as if someone had just kicked him. He stumbled slightly, catching himself with grace as he felt a searing pain in his left leg. Mistoffelees lifted his chin and continued to dance, ignoring the pain until the moment his dance ended. Every step on his left foot made him let out a sharp gasp of pain, and felt tears fill his eyes, but he refused to finish looking like a fool, so he did his final turn and posed, forcing a smile on his face as the audience began to applaud. He bowed, and as best he could, Mistoffelees left the stage. 

As soon as he was off stage, Mistoffelees collapsed with a sob, clutching his leg. “Oh God, it hurts.”

Victoria was at his side instantly, Bustopher close behind her. “What happened?”

“I tore something.” Mistoffelees said, his voice shaking. “I didn’t stretch. I’m such an idiot.”

“We need to get you to a hospital.” Bustopher said firmly, grasping his nephew’s hands and pulling him up gently, he and Victoria supporting Mistoffelees as they exited the stage door. Luckily, no one was waiting there just yet, so the trio managed to make it to the car without any questions. Victoria sat in the back with Mistoffelees, hugging him tightly as Bustopher drove, and when they reached the hospital, both his sister and his uncle remained at Mistoffelees’ side throughout the entire process. 

“You’ve tore your Achilles tendon.” The doctor said, and Mistoffelees closed his eyes, feeling the tears welling up. “Normally, I’d say you’d be fine to walk without assistance in about two weeks, but because you kept dancing on it and landing on it, it’s going to take at least four weeks after the surgery for you to completely heal, and then you’ll need about four to six months of physical therapy.”

Mistoffelees’ eyes flew open. “Surgery?”

The doctor nodded. “We have to go in and stitch the tendon back together.” Victoria clutched Mistoffelees’ hand tightly. “Misto…”

“Will I be able to dance again?” the dancer asked. 

“Possibly, with enough physical therapy and stretching.” The doctor said. “It may take a while, however, and if you do overexert yourself in the future, or push yourself too far, it may enflame the tendon again.”

Ultimately, Mistoffelees agreed to the surgery, and he was left in a boot for nearly four weeks, and when he got the boot removed, he had physical therapy for six months.

During that time, something rather unlikely happened. 

Tugger approached Victoria one day as she left a building, a charming smile on his face. “Hey, Vic.”

“Oh, hi Tugger.” Victoria replied quietly. 

“What’s wrong?” Tugger asked, his smile fading into a frown. He glanced up at the building, and his brow furrowed. “What are you doing here?”

Victoria wrung her hands. “Misto tore his Achilles about a month and a half ago, and he had the surgery, but he needs to go to therapy for about six months. It’s been difficult for him.”

Tugger’s eyes widened. He and Mistoffelees may not have gotten along, but not being able to do the one thing he loved was no doubt hard for the black-haired dancer. 

“Where is he? Maybe I can help out.” Tugger said with a kind look in his eyes. “Munk used to strain himself all the time while dancing, and I used to help him when that happened.”

Victoria sighed and told Tugger the room that Mistoffelees was in, and he kissed her cheek in thanks before rushing into the building. He told the receptionist he was there to assist Mistoffelees, and he was allowed up to the room.

Even before he opened the door, Tugger heard the sound of swearing. He slowly opened the door to see Mistoffelees sitting on the ground, glaring at his leg with fury in his eyes. 

“God, I’m an idiot.” He said, seemingly to himself. “’Oh yeah, Misto, you’re such a great dancer!’ What kind of dancer forgets to stretch?” Mistoffelees attempted to pull himself up, but let out a small gasp as he put pressure on his bad foot. “Well done, Mistoffelees, you’ve completely screwed yourself over, and your burdening your uncle and sister.”

“I don’t think they see it that way.” Tugger said, fully entering the room. Mistoffelees’ head snapped up, and his eyes narrowed upon seeing the other man.

“What do you want?”

Tugger held his hands up placatingly. “Vic told me what happened. Munk used to hurt himself all the time, so I thought that maybe I could give you some help.”

Mistoffelees scoffed. “Oh please. You’re just here to pity me, like everyone else. ‘Oh, the poor boy, he’s never going to be able to dance with his sister again!’. Do people not realize I know that?” Mistoffelees’ voice broke slightly, and he wrapped his arms around his waist. “I’m never going to dance again, all because I was a nervous idiot who didn’t stretch.”

“Hey, you’re going to dance again.” Tugger said firmly, approaching Mistoffelees and holding out a hand. “This sounds corny as hell, but you just need to believe in yourself. If you keep telling yourself you’re never going to dance, you’re not going to get the motivation you need to keep going.” Mistoffelees hesitantly took his hand, and Tugger carefully pulled him up, supporting him gently with an arm around his waist. “Do you want to dance?”

“More than anything.” Mistoffelees replied quietly. 

“Then you have to work to that point.” Tugger told him. “Because right now, the only person who’s not believing in you is yourself. Your uncle and your sister are both behind you, and so is everyone else who cares about you. Munk was beside himself when he heard about what happened.” Mistoffelees’ cheeks flushed slightly, and Tugger gave him a small grin. “I can help, if you want? I’ll be there to pull your head out of your ass every time you say you’re an idiot or you can’t dance.”

Mistoffelees scoffed and shoved Tugger, making him laugh. “I think your head’s plenty big for the both of us.”

Tugger’s smile grew. “Does that mean you’ll let me help you?”

“Fine.” Mistoffelees said with a tired sigh as Tugger began to help him walk over to where his water bottle was. “Just… don’t let me fall, okay?”

Tugger’s arm tightened around Mistoffelees’ waist. “Never.”