Admetus is an ensemble character in Cats. A young good-natured tom, his main function in the show is to be the ensemble identity for the actor who also plays Macavity.
The character originated in the London production, initially as a nameless kitten and only later given the name "Admetus". The role of Macavity's double was renamed "Plato" on Broadway. In productions that use Plato, the name Admetus is sometimes given to a male or female swing character.
Personality[]
Admetus is an easy-going and friendly character. Although one of the tallest males, he tends to behave more like a kitten and can be somewhat goofy. He remains in the background for most of the show, a strong dancer but rarely taking the lead. He and Bill Bailey are seen encouraging Carbucketty to scratch Grizabella, showing a lack of empathy and maturity. He does in some productions take the spotlight as Victoria's partner in the "Pas de Deux" in the middle of the Jellicle Ball.
For more actors' discussion on the character of Admetus, See Here.
Appearance[]
Admetus is a tall adult male, ginger and white, with a distinctive ginger wig with one bold black patch. Prior to the 1998 Film, Plato (Macavity's other alter-ego) had a completely different costume design, a dark patchy tabby who didn't feature ginger at all. However, due to the familiarity of the filmed version, the ginger and white design was used with the name "Plato" in many subsequent productions.
His makeup is relatively simple and elegant. This is due to the fact that the performer applies the Macavity makeup directly on top of the Admetus design, and then after Macavity's scenes the performer only has a few minutes to re-apply the Admetus makeup for the remainder of the show.
Gallery[]
Role[]
| Berlin 2002 | ALONZO, CORICOPAT, PLATO / MACAVITY:
|
| US Tour 2009 | Macavity:
|
| Vienna 2019 | ALONZO, CORICOPAT, MACAVITY
|
Admetus often performs the pas de deux (known to fans as the "mating dance") with Victoria during the Jellicle Ball - this is due to his dual role as Macavity that requires great strength to throw Munkustrap during the fight, which makes lifting a small girl comparatively easy.
Admetus leaves the stage during "Gus: The Theatre Cat" to change into Macavity, and returns during the "Mistoffelees" number having reapplied his Admetus makeup.
The 1981 London Production had a turbulent start, with cast changes during rehearsals leading to shuffling of which featured character was performed by which ensemble character. While initially John Thornton was planned to play Admetus / Macavity, when the actor set to play Mungojerrie left, John took over as Mungojerrie for the majority of the show. However he maintained the extra role of Macavity. There was no "Admetus" in the original cast, however Steven Wayne's unnamed kitten soon took the name. Steven Wayne took over the featured role of "Rumpus Cat" in 1983, while Mungojerrie continued to play Macavity. By 1984, Wayne Fowkes as George, an ensemble cat with no other featured roles, took over as Macavity from Mungojerrie while Steven Wayne remained Admetus / Rumpus Cat. in 1986, George was cut, and Macavity was given to Coricopat, while Philip Devonshire had the dual roles of Admetus / Rumpus Cat. By February 1987, Sandy Strallen took the roles of Admetus and Macavity, the original concept was re-introduced which then remained stable for the rest of the production.
Etymology[]
"Admetus" is mentioned in "The Naming of Cats" as one of the "fancier" but still "sensible" names. T S Eliot derived it from the Greek mythological king of the same name.[1]
Before he was given a name, the character was originally credited as one of "The Kittens" in the London production.[2]
Translations[]
The following names have also been used for the character of Admetus in various international productions:
- Klørigår - Oslo 1985
- Amadeus - Mexico Tour 1991
Chorus Admetus[]
In Australian-style productions, the name Admetus is a common chorus/swing cat name, while Plato is the main ensemble role and "Macavity" performer. In the 2001-05 World Tour, the Admetus swing was played by female performers. For the 2015-16 Australia/NZ tour, Plato was renamed to Admetus instead.
Film "Admetus"[]
In the 1998 film, Frank Thompson is only credited onscreen as the Rumpus Cat, his ensemble role left unnamed. The film's website, which has some inaccuracies, credits the actor as "Admetus/Rumpus Cat".[3] Whether this was an error by the website or an intentional renaming of the character is unknown.
The film drew directly from the contemporary London production, however in an attempt to create the "Ultimate" production of Cats, several characters were given the names of their Broadway equivalents. The Macavity ensemble role was renamed "Plato". To add to the confusion, the Broadway production "Plato" role was not a direct replica of Admetus - Broadway had Plato perform the part of Rumpus Cat as well as Macavity, so it is a fair assumption to link Rumpus Cat to the Macavity performer. Bryn Walters played the character known in London as Admetus - the blocking, the characterisation, the costume, everything was Admetus' role except the name was changed.
The London production featured four more characters than Broadway - Victor, George, Electra and Etcetera. In the London production by this time, it was George who played Rumpus Cat. Frank Thompson wears the George costume - soft brown stripes, and a wig with distinctive brown, white, black patches framing his face. His makeup was softened from the stage version, but the costume, personality, and track, is that of the character George, who does not have a Broadway equivalent.
Cast[]
Performers who have played Admetus
References[]
- ↑ The Poems of T. S. Eliot Volume II: Practical Cats and Further Verses. Faber & Faber, 17 November 2015. Page 56.
- ↑ London Cast List, May 1981
- ↑ CATS the Video Credits, catsvideo.com (archived).
