Jeff Shankley

Jeff Shankley created the role of Munkustrap in the original production of Cats, in London in 1981. He also created the role of Greaseball in Starlight Express, and went on to play Gus/Growltiger in Cats in Germany in 2002.

Cats History
London - 05/1981 - Munkustrap

London - 01/1982 - Munkustrap (left by 03/1982)

London - 09/1983 - Munkustrap

London - 12/1983 - Munkustrap

Berlin - 10/2002 - Bustopher Jones / Gus / Growltiger

Biography (1981)
Jeff Shankley trained at RADA, then joined the Birmingham Repertory Theatre appearing in Henry IV Part I, Waiting for Godot and Hamlet. In the West End his appearances have included The Revolutionary and West of Suez at the Royal Court, and his musical appearances include Showboat, Jesus Christ Superstar, A Chorus Line and most recently as Frank’N’Furter in the German tour of The Rocky Horror Show. He has also spent a successful season with the New Shakespeare Company at Regent’s Park. His many television appearances include Family at War, Play for Today and Young at Heart.

Trivia

 * Originally John Napier had Jeff wearing grey contact lenses because he wanted to bring out his stare. Unfortunately this caused him to bump into the other actors and caused his eyes to stream which made it look like he was permanently crying so in the end they decided to get rid of them.