Siamese

The Siamese cats are the antagonist in "Growltiger's Last Stand", in which Gus reminisces about a performance in which he played Growltiger, a ferocious pirate who was taken down by the Siamese crew, led by Gilbert / Genghis.

Character
The Siamese cats are portrayed as ruthless, efficient, yet possibly merciful towards Griddlebone. It is sometimes implied that Griddlebone may have been in cahoots with them all along, intentionally distracting Growltiger so that the Siamese can take him down.

The lead Siamese is named Gilbert or Genghis, depending on the production. He usually has a featured moment in which he duels and ultimately defeats Growltiger, displaying his sword-fighting prowess.

Performers
As the Siamese are performed by most of the cast, one of the male cast members will double as Gilbert / Genghis.

In the original London Production, the role was named "Gilbert" and was played by Coricopat. This double track would follow suit in most productions, particularly those based in Europe.

In the original Broadway Production, the lead Siamese was renamed "Genghis" and this name was subsequently adopted by most productions, with alternate spellings including "Ghengis" and "Gengis". Carbucketty initially doubled the role of lead Siamese on Broadway, but after the role of Carbucketty was cut in 1987, Genghis went to the actor who played Mungojerrie. Mungojerrie would double the part again in the 1st US tour, 5th US tour and the 1991 Zurich production.

In other productions, the following roles have also doubled with the lead Siamese:
 * Vienna: Tumblebrutus played Genghis
 * Japan: An ensemble cat named Gilbert plays the lead Siamese (though in earlier productions Mungojerrie doubled)
 * China: An ensemble cat named Grumbuskin played Genghis

Lyrics
But most to cats of foreign race his hatred had been vowed To cats of foreign name and race, no quarter was allowed The Persian and the Siamese regarded him with fear Because it was a Siamese had mauled his missing ear

...

And his raffish crew were sleeping in their barrels and their bunks

As the Siamese came creeping in their sampans and their junks

Growltiger had no eye or ear for aught but Griddlebone

And the lady seemed enraptured by my manly baritone

Disposed to relaxation and awaiting no surprise

But the moonlight shone reflected from a thousand bright blue eyes

And closer still and closer the sampans circled 'round

And yet from all the enemy there was not heard a sound

The foe was armed with toasting forks and cruel carving knives

And the lovers sang their last duet in danger of their lives

(Duet)

Then Genghis gave the signal to his fierce Mongolian horde

With a frightful burst of fireworks, the siamese swarmed aboard

Abandoning their sampans, their pullaways, and junks

They battened down the hatches on the crew within their bunks

Then Griddlebone she gave a screech for she was badly skeered

I am sorry to admit it, but she quickly disappeared

She probably escaped with ease I'm sure she was not drowned

But a serried ring of flashing steel Growltiger did surround

The ruthless foe pressed forward in stubborn rank on rank

Growltiger to his vast surprise was forced to walk the plank

He who a hundred victims had driven to that drop

At the end of all his crimes was forced to go kerflip, kerflop

Oh there was joy in Wapping when the news flew through the land

At Maidenhead and Henley there was dancing on the Strand

Rats were roasted whole in Brentford and Victoria Dock

And a day of celebration was commanded in Bangkok!

Design
The original London production dressed the Siamese characters in simple, generic "Asian" style robes patterned with triangular blue-eyed Siamese cat faces. The choreography included large fans.

Controversy
The portrayal of the Siamese has been condemned by both critics and fans for its dated and offensive racial stereotypes. However "Growltiger's Last Stand" has been gradually phased out in UK and US productions from 2016 onwards.