Skimbleshanks

Skimbleshanks is a character in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, Cats. Skimbleshanks is an energetic ginger tabby cat known as "the Railway cat" on account of being the cat aboard the British West Coast Main Line train; the Night Mail, which is a train that ran from London to Scotland. He takes great pride in his work and considers himself very important, as the train would not operate without him. Skimbleshanks appears in the ensemble throughout the show, before he dons his uniform waistcoat.

Appearance
Skimbleshanks is an orange tabby cat wearing a waistcoat and a pocketwatch. His wig is neat, well groomed and short at the back, he often features long sideburns. He is considered to be one of the older cats in the musical, alongside Jennyanydots, Jellylorum and Asparagus. He appears in the ensemble before his solo number, without a waistcoat, and with different, less distinctive armwarmers.

Personality
Skimbleshanks is one of the adults of the tribe, always protecting the kittens whenever danger is near. Despite this he is a jolly and cheerful cat, and often is seen dancing and being silly with the younger toms. He is a very animated character and can be remembered by his signature gigantic smile and bright personality. When he is not misbehaving, he is often seen holding hands with Jennyanydots. He also spends a good deal of time with Jemima. He is also close with Old Deuteronomy, as Old Deuteronomy is seen dancing to his number (though this could simply be Old Deuteronomy showing a more jovial side).

Skimbleshanks is the cat aboard the British West Coast Main Line train; the Night Mail. He takes great pride in his work and deems that he is important as the train would not operate without him.

Role

 * "Strong singer (high baritone.tenor) and good dancer. The railway cat, a lover of punctuality and order, he is neat and full of exuberance. Experienced."

Skimbleshanks is one of the more prominent characters in the show; he has a variety of lines in the group songs, but also has a song of his own ("Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat"). He is also the third one to finally touch and smile at Grizabella and accept her back into the tribe and showed that he was sorry for rejecting and turning his back on her. He also finally trusts her and no longer considers her a threat to the tribe and waves goodbye to her when she enters the heaviside layer to be reborn.

Song
"Skimbleshanks the Railway Cat" is one of the last songs in the show. It's sung by Skimbleshanks and the Jellicle Tribe, telling the story of a typical trip on the Night Mail for Skimbleshanks.



Fandom
For fandom headcanons and theories, CLICK HERE.