Asparagus

Asparagus is an ensemble character from Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical, Cats. He is the ensemble identity of the actor who also plays Gus the Theatre Cat / Growltiger, and Bustopher Jones.

Role

 * GUS/GROWLTIGER/BUSTOPHER JONES:  Tenor. Range to B flat. Character role. Playing age: 30 - 45. Gus: an old and frail theatre cat.  In his dream, Gus becomes Growltiger - a swashbuckling pirate. Bustopher Jones: a distinguished, aristocratic tomcat. Good living has made him round and plump.

Asparagus is generally understood as the name of the chorus character played by the actor who is more recognisable for playing Bustopher Jones, Gus the Theatre Cat, and Growltiger. When the actor is not in one of these featured roles, he blends into the ensemble, mainly at the very beginning and end of the show. His one moment in the spotlight is that he and Munkustrap spot -


 * There's a man over there with a look of surprise
 * As much as to say as to say now, well how about that?
 * Do I actually see with my own very eyes
 * A man who's not heard of a Jellicle Cat?

He also was one of the cats to touch Grizabella and smiled at her and accepted Grizabella back into the tribe and showed how sorry he was for turning his back on her and he finally trust her and wave goodbye to her when she was going to be reborn in the heaviside layer.

In the filmed version, Tony Timberlake played Asparagus throughout the show as Sir John Mills was playing Gus.

Appearance
Asparagus is a brown, gray and black cat. He blends into the background with no bright colours or bold markings, however onstage he usually has a shawl/collar rather than individual fluffies on his shoulders.

Personality
Generally Asparagus is seen with the older Cats or minding the kittens. He is usually slightly absent-minded, a bit grumpy and he prefers to doze in a corner than be too involved in the goings-on around him. Whether or not he is considered the same character as Gus the Theatre Cat depends on the production, after his solo in act 2 it is usually clear that Asparagus is still old and doddery, cared for by everyone but particularly Jellylorum and Old Deuteronomy.

Fandom
For fandom headcanons and theories, CLICK HERE.