Magical Mister Mistoffelees

"Magical Mister Mistoffelees" is a song celebrating the titular Mr. Mistoffelees and his magical feats. The number is usually sung by Rum Tum Tugger, although Mistoffelees also sings in some versions.

Context
After Macavity has been fought off by the tribe, they are left in the dark and without their leader, Old Deuteronomy, who had been kidnapped earlier. As they ponder over how to find him, Rum Tum Tugger suggests they call upon Mr. Mistoffelees for help. As the Jellicles are not inclined to take Tugger seriously, he performs the song in an attempt to convince them of Mistoffelees' magical abilities. Mistoffelees himself enters, descending from the ceiling, and uses his powers to restore the lights and perform various magical feats. By the end of the song, the Jellicles are convinced of his powers and, to everyone's relief, he conjures back Old Deuteronomy, typically with the assistance of Cassandra. For the final repeated chorus, the audience is usually invited to join in the jubilant celebration, with the cast leaving the stage to interact and sing along with them.

"Magical Mister Mistoffelees" is typically a dance showcase for the actor playing Mistoffelees. The role was created by renown ballet dancer Wayne Sleep, and the original choreography features his signature moves. Mistoffelees performs some of the most difficult choreography in the show, including his signature "Conjuring Turn" consisting of 24 consecutive fouettés en tournant (or pirouettes à la seconde). Dancers cast in the role generally have extensive ballet and gymnastic experience.

The number is also an opportunity to showcase intricate lighting design as well as the multiple special effects hidden around the set such as pyrotechnics and trap doors.

History
The lyrics for "Mr. Mistoffelees" are taken from the T S Eliot poem of the same name from Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats (1939). The song is usually sung by Tugger as a solo, with Mistoffelees' dance break taking place in between the first and second verses. However in some Broadway-based productions, Mistoffelees sings the second verse, either by himself or as a back-and-forth with Tugger. In these productions, the dance break occurs after the second verse instead. The 1998 film uses the version sung only by Tugger, but cuts out some parts of the song including the Conjuring Turn.

During the number, Cassandra is typically chosen by Mistoffelees to help him bring back Old Deuteronomy, though productions in the 1980s/1990s often used other cats such as Bombalurina or Tumblebrutus to fill this role as well.

In productions that featured the Street Cat version of Tugger, there was a short rap at the end of the song that replaced Rock Star Tugger's vocal riffs.

Music
"Magical Mister Mistoffelees" is a lively song, with funk-pop verses that give way to the straightforward cheeriness of the chorus. The celebratory refrains at the end are amplified by the trumpet fanfare theme, adding to the triumphant mood.

The song is set in the 4/4 time signature and has a tempo of 84 beats per minute. It is composed in the key of F major, and the chorus follows a chord progression of F-C/E-Gm7-C7-F-F/A-Bb-Bb/C. Tugger's vocals span from C4 to E5.

Lyrics
 You ought to ask magical Mr Mistoffelees The original conjuring cat There can be no doubt about that Please, listen to me! And don't scoff, All his inventions are off his own bat

There's no such cat in the Metropolis He holds all the patent monopolies For performing surprising illusions And creating eccentric confusions

The greatest magicians have something to learn From Mr Mistoffelees conjuring turn!

And we all say "Oh! Well, I never! Was there ever a cat so clever as Magical Mr Mistoffelees?"

He is quiet, he is small, he is black From his ears to the tip of his tail He can creep through the tiniest crack He can walk on the narrowest rail

He can pick any card from a pack He is equally cunning with dice He's always deceiving you into believing That he's only hunting for mice

He can play any trick with a cork Or a spoon and a bit of fish paste If you look for a knife or a fork And you think that it's merely misplaced

You've seen it one moment, But then it is gone! But you'll find it next week Laying out on the lawn

And we all say "Oh! Well, I never! Was there ever a cat so clever as Magical Mr Mistoffelees?"

(Presto!)

"Oh! Well, I never! Was there ever a cat so clever as Magical Mr Mistoffelees?"

(chorus may be repeated a few times)

His manner is vague and aloof And you would think there was nobody shyer But his voice can be heard on the roof While he was curled up by the fire

And he's sometimes been heard by the fire While he was about on the roof At least, we all heard that somebody purred Which is incontestable proof

And of his singular magical powers I've known the family to call Him in from the garden for hours While he was asleep in the hall

And, not long ago, this phenomenal cat Produced seven kittens right out of a hat!

And we all say, "Oh! Well, I never! Was there ever a cat so clever as Magical Mr Mistoffelees?"

"Oh! Well, I never! Was there ever a cat so clever as Magical Mr Mistoffelees?"

(chorus is repeated several times)

Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you: The magical, The marvellous, Mr Mistoffelees!

Street Cat Rap
Note: It appears that the rap was often ad-libbed to some extent, as such the below lyrics may not exactly match certain performances.  Forget all the rest but my bestie in black He's got a whole host of tricks falling out of his hat He saved the day, he brought Old Deut back Everybody raise it up, magi-coolest cat

(x 2)

Oh yes, indeed Nobody better than Mistoffelees

International Versions

 * Czech
 * Dutch
 * French
 * German
 * Hungarian
 * Japanese
 * Norwegian
 * Russian
 * Spanish

Audio

 * "Mr. Mistoffelees" from the 1981 London cast recording


 * "Mr. Mistoffelees" from the 1983 Broadway cast recording


 * "Mr. Mistoffelees" from the 2019 movie soundtrack

Street Cat Tugger:


 * Ending rap snippet from the 2014 London revival (bootleg audio)