Old Deuteronomy

Old Deuteronomy is the patriarch character from the musical, Cats.

Personality
"Wise, Commanding, Spiritual"

- Three Words

Old Deuteronomy is the kind and just leader of the Jellicle Tribe. He is described as being wise in his many years and is respected and beloved by most Jellicles. While he is 'old and tottery' and 'must go slow', he is fairly lively and dances along with a variety of songs performed for him. Old Deuteronomy is one of the larger cats, though he isn't mocked for his girth like Bustopher Jones is. He is an ancient cat who has lived 'many lives in succession.' He appears to have some degree of psychic powers with which he guides the other Jellicles through dance and song. He is also seemingly the only cat not affected by Macavity's psychic powers.

The poem describes a bucolic English village, where he lives peacefully. He is believed to live near the vicarage, as he rests 'on the vicarage wall'. He seems to care about Grizabella from the start, trying to accept her and being disappointed when the other cats shun her, but she doesn't notice until the end.

According to actor Ken Page, "He's probably the father of a lot of [the Jellicles]."

Role
"Old Deuteronomy is the beloved leader of the tribe. Seeking a mature actor with excellent high baritone/tenor vocals to G# with classical sound & vocal warmth. Must be able to express authority, dignity, wisdom, and humility – also great warmth and fun. Small amount of movement required. Playing age 35 – 55."

- Casting Calls Old Deuteronomy is one of the main characters in the show. He is introduced in ("Old Deuteronomy"), but he also plays a major role in a number of other songs: ("The Moments of Happiness ", "Invitation to the Jellicle Ball", "The Ad-dressing of Cats".) He is kidnapped by Macavity, but brought back by Mistoffelees. He chooses Grizabella to ascend to the Heaviside Layer at the end of the show.

In the original London production, Brian Blessed played Old Deuteronomy and Bustopher Jones, however in all other productions Old Deuteronomy is not doubled with other roles.

Appearance
Old Deuteronomy is a large, old, grey cat. His wears a full, fluffy robe. His costume appears grey but is made of a mixture of greys, dull brown and black.

The actor who plays Old Deuteronomy usually appears in the ensemble during Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats. He wears an ensemble costume that resembles Munkustrap as a silver tabby, but with sparser, lighter stripes. Sometimes the actor is given looser fitting "pajama" style garments rather than a skin-tight unitard, as he is not expected to be a dancer. He is often referred to as "Young Deut" or "Chorus Deut", however the Broadway Revival has dubbed this character "Victor" (unrelated to Victor the ensemble character). See Here for Deuteronomy's ensemble costume.

Fandom
For fandom headcanons and theories, CLICK HERE.