Demeter

Demeter is a principal character in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats. Her name is mentioned in "The Naming of Cats" musical number. Within the plot of the show, she is often the target of Macavity's attacks, due to her unspecified past with him.

Personality
"Skittish, Cautious, Paranoid"

- Three Words

Demeter is a very anxious and easily startled cat, constantly fearful that Macavity is around.

Cats choreographer Gillian Lynne elaborated on their relationship in a 1981 documentary:

"She's [Demeter's] saying 'The man was wonderful when he made love to me, but I hated him!' isn't she? ... I'd actually like your [Demeter's] hands to feel your [her] own body, as he once did."

Demeter is sympathetic to Grizabella and is one of the few cats to attempt to welcome the latter, but cannot bring herself to fully accept Grizabella until after "Memory". She usually runs to Bombalurina in uncomfortable situations, such as when Grizabella or Macavity are nearby.

Demeter and Bombalurina are inseparable, though the exact nature of their relationship is not specified within the show. Bombalurina is her strongest protector and comfort for the duration of the musical. In most replica productions, by the end of the show she forms a relationship with either Munkustrap or Alonzo, showing affection throughout the show, and staying close to him after the fight with Macavity.

In some versions such as the 1998 film, she finds outgoing, vain toms such as Rum Tum Tugger to be annoying, and shows no interest in his showing off. However, in other productions she is as enthused about him as the other female characters her age.

Role
"Bombalurina's best friend, and sings the other half of the Macavity duet. Excellent dancer/singer. On the one hand neurotic and wild, on the other very intuitive. Minimum height 5'4. Playing age: 20 - 30."

- Casting Calls

Demeter sings as part of the trio in "The Old Gumbie Cat" with Bombalurina and Jellylorum, and sings a solo verse in "Grizabella the Glamour Cat". Her biggest part is in "Macavity the Mystery Cat" in which she sings and dances with Bombalurina. She is usually played by a mezzo soprano or alto singer.

Demeter is the only adult cat who reaches out to Grizabella when the latter first appears, but then gets anxious and pulls her hand away. Demeter reaches out to Grizabella again after the Jellicle Ball, but this time she is pulled back by Bombalurina.

She is the focus of Macavity's attack - he appears disguised as Old Deuteronomy to infiltrate the tribe, and Demeter is the only cat to realise the deception. Despite her fears, she lunges at Macavity to reveal his true nature to the tribe. At one point in the London production, lines of speech were added to clarify the action in the show, Macavity saying to Demeter "I'll be back for you!" while kidnapping Old Deuteronomy.

The fight between Macavity and Munkustrap (and sometimes, Alonzo,) is started by Macavity attempting to kidnap Demeter from the tribe. In some productions, starting from Broadway, Munkustrap is knocked out of the fight early on, and it is Alonzo who takes the majority of the fight. In these productions it is often suggested that Demeter and Alonzo are a couple. Otherwise, Demeter is generally paired with Munkustrap after Macavity's attack, such as in the 1998 film.

Appearance
Demeter is black and gold/yellow with a white bib, and wears gloves instead of arm warmers. Her wig is often wild and fluffy. In some productions, she has larger patches of red/ginger among the gold and yellow tones. Her costume demonstrates her conflict - she is both an elegant queen, ladylike and beautiful, and a tortured, skittish, unhappy soul. She is usually portrayed as an adult.

Fandom
For fandom headcanons and theories, CLICK HERE.