Electra is an ensemble character in the musical Cats. She is generally portrayed as a quiet and reserved kitten.
As one of the minor kitten characters, she is often cut from smaller productions. Electra originated in the 1981 London production, but did not make her US debut until the 2016 Broadway revival.
Personality[]
| “ | Adolescent, Inquisitive, Daring |
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Electra is generally considered to be a quiet, reserved cat. She is generally less hyperactive than the other kittens, particularly when compared to Etcetera who tends to overshadow her. Despite her more serious nature, Electra still has a playful streak and often joins the other kittens in their antics.
In productions that feature Electra but not Etcetera, Electra tends to be a louder, more energetic character.
Appearance[]
Electra is a dark ginger and black tortoiseshell and/or tabby (Torbie) cat, usually portrayed in the show as a kitten. She has considerably more fluff than average, running down her torso and down one arm instead of an arm-warmer.
Electra's development in the early months of the original production, as told through the original designs by John Napier, is complex: The design that we recognise as Jennyanydots' ensemble look was originally labelled Electra. The original plan was for Judi Dench to play both Jennyanydots and Grizabella, both as featured characters; presumably she would not dance in the ensemble as we are used to both Jenny and Babygriz doing. When Judi Dench was injured and dropped out of the show, Elaine Paige replaced her as Grizabella while Myra Sands took over the role of Jennyanydots. Myra was originally slated to play a role named Electra who would sing what later became Demeter's part in "The Old Gumbie Cat" and Jennyanydots' part in "Bustopher Jones".[1] After Myra took over the role of Jennyanydots, the costume she wore as Electra became Jennyanydots' ensemble look instead. Subsequently the un-named "kitten" costume worn by Anita Pashley took the name Electra.
A lighter ginger design has occasionally been used as a swing costume for Electra, nicknamed "Lightning Electra". This costume appears to have originated in the 2003 Madrid production, which featured a bold, bright, airbrushed style to the costumes. This costume went on to be used in the 2010 Brazil production for Electra, then made its way to the UK, where, while the current touring production did not use the character Electra, the costume was worn by swings for promotional events.
Another curious mash-up occurred in the 2010 German Tour, which included Electra being covered by swings wearing a "Baby Griz" costume - Grizabella's ensemble identity worn only at the very start of the show. This costume is considerably less saturated - more grey and less brown - but otherwise is very similar to Electra.
Gallery[]
Role[]
| Broadway 2016 | Female Ensemble/Swings
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Electra is principally a dancing role; she has lines in group songs such as "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats", but does not play a significant role in the show or have any solos. In productions where Electra is included but Etcetera is not, she will take the position of screaming uncontrollably at Rum Tum Tugger. She is most often seen playing with the other kittens, most often Etcetera, Jemima, Pouncival and Tumblebrutus.
Electra is quite a rare character, appearing only in larger and more modern productions. She started as an unnamed kitten in the original London production, but soon gained her name. She did not appear in the original Broadway Production, nor did she appear in Vienna in 1983 - however Etcetera did, wearing the dark tabby costume familiar as Electra's design. Curiously, the UK Tour in 1993 did feature Electra - at the expense of cutting Bill Bailey! Most European productions in the 1980s and 1990s ran without her, her first German appearance was in Berlin 2002. As she had not appeared in the original Broadway show, she did not feature in any productions based directly off that direction; her first appearance in USA was the 2016 Broadway Revival.
In Australian-style productions, Electra commonly appears as a chorus/swing character, able to be cut when the actress is covering another role. In the 2015-16 tour, Electra was promoted to the main cast with her own understudies.
Etymology[]
Electra's name is mentioned in "The Naming of Cats" as one of the "fancier" but still "sensible" names. T S Eliot derived the name "Electra" from the mythological character of the same name, who was commonly used in ancient Greek tragedies.[2] Her name is sometimes spelled as "Elektra".
Before she was given a name, the character was originally credited as one of "The Kittens" in the London production.[3]
Translations[]
The following names have also been used for the character of Electra in various international productions:
- Pussine - Stockholm 1987
- Spåretta - Oslo 1985
Cast[]
Performers who have played Electra
Fandom[]
For fandom headcanons and theories, CLICK HERE.
References[]
- ↑ London Previews Set List, April 1981.
- ↑ 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
