On 1st September 1986, Cats opened at Helsingin Kaupunginteatteri (Helsinki City Theatre), Finland and ran until December 1988.[1][2] This was a non-replica production. Many characters had alternates, and there was a large ensemble of named chorus cats as well as swings and a "Cats Chorus" of booth singers.
Production Specifics[]
- Translation - Jukka Virtanen
- Director/Choreographer - Jorma Uotinen
As a non-replica production, the character roles varied from the usual arrangement: Growltiger was a full character or played by Munkustrap; Bustopher Jones was a full character; Griddlebone played by Jennyanydots, Cassandra or Coricopat; Coricopat was female.
Cast[]
| Role | Translation | Cast | Alternate | Cast (1986) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alonzo / Mungojerrie | Cattivo / Jengamurri | Peter Stamford | Langry Chellaf | Peter Stamford, Langry Chellaf |
| Bombalurina | Tuijalleriina | Irina Milan | Sinikka Sokka | Sinikka Sokka, Irina Milan |
| Bustopher Jones | Kerhonen B. | Jyrki Kovaleff | Stig Fransman | Jyrki Kovaleff, Stig Fransman |
| Cassandra | Kissantra | Tuula Hyyryläinen | Päivi Rissanen | Tuula Hyyryläinen, Päivi Rissanen |
| Coricopat | Koriko-Pat | Marjatta Jaatinen | Päivi Rissanen | Marjatta Jaatinen, Päivi Rissanen |
| Demeter | Jokaste | Maijeli Liikanen | Kirsi Ljungberg | Helena Haaranen, Pia Karaspuro |
| George / Macavity | Yrjö / Macavity | Jens Walentinsson | Kimmo Sandell | Kari Riipinen, Jens Walentinsson |
| Lady Griddlebone | Lady Kylkiluu | Kristiina Elstelä | Helena Haaranen | Kristiina Elstelä, Helena Haaranen |
| Grizabella | Misabella | Eija Ahvo | Monica Aspelund | Monica Aspelund, Eija Ahvo |
| Growltiger | Murr-Roope | Heikki Kinnunen | Arto Rintamäki | Heikki Kinnunen, Arto Rintamäki |
| Jellylorum | Jellimaari | Riitta Havukainen | Mari Rantasila | Riitta Havukainen, Mari Rantasila |
| Jemima | Jemina | Helena Pasanen | Tarja Tuominen | Helena Pasanen, Tarja Tuominen |
| Jennyanydots | Annu Pannunen | Kristiina Elstelä | Kaisa Torkkel | Kristiina Elstelä, Kaisa Torkkel |
| Mistoffelees / Pollicle | Mistofeli / Pollikki | Harri Heikkinen | Jyri Pulkkinen | Harri Heikkinen, Kalevi Aaltonen |
| Munkustrap | Munkossun | Arto Rintamäki | Arto Rintamäki | |
| Old Deuteronomy | Deutoronomi | Kosti Kotiranta | Markku Riikonen, Kosti Kotiranta | |
| Quaxo | Kakskuu | Ulla Tapaninen | Prijo Bergström | Ulla Tapaninen, Pirjo Bergström |
| Rum Tum Tugger | Runtunranttu | Jarkko Rantanen | Jarkko Rantanen | |
| Rumpelteazer | Rämppätintti | Maire Alho | Riitta Saastamoinen | Maire Alho, Riitta Saastamoinen |
| Rumpelteazer | Rämppätintti | Marjut Rönkkö | ||
| Skimbleshanks | Toppa-Roy | Seppo Pääkkönen | Tom Pöysti, Seppo Pääkkönen | |
| Tantomile | Kermaviili | Riikka Korpi-Tommola | Pia Karaspuro | Riikka Korppi-Tommola, Pia Karaspuro |
| Tumblebrutus / Rumpus Cat | Rymy-Edward / Rampokissa | Jukka Perkiö | Sami Saikkonen | Markku Nenonen, Jukka Perkiö |
| Victoria | Eläkööli | Helena Haarainen | Pia Karaspuro | Helena Haaranen, Pia Karaspuro |
Opening night cast list from the HKT website (page 67)
| Role | Translation | Cast | Alternate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aprilli | Jaana Schorin | ||
| Gilbert | Hongbong | Risto Autio | |
| Lilli | Helena Pasanen | Tarja Tuominen | |
| Lilli | Kirsi Ljungberg | ||
| Marina | Ulla Pihl | ||
| Meijuli | Kiki Molander | ||
| Grumbuskin | Rokkonen | Marco Bjurström | |
| Ruusu | Kaisa Torkkel | ||
| Sibylla | Maiju Palo | ||
| Anna Kähärä | Anita Pajunen |
| Marjo-Riitta Kervinen | Pirjo Aittomäki |
| Irma Tapio | Kati Bergman |
| Martti Metsäketo | Kari-Hans Kommonen |
| Jukka Lehtinen | Timo Ojala |
| Vesa Torppa | |
| Cats Chorus | |
| Jari Fyhr | Anna Kähärä |
| Raija-Leena Martikainen | Inkeri Peltonen |
Cast List (It is not known whether this list represents alternates, or a cast change during the run of the show)
Gallery[]
Casting Call: "We are looking for dancers and singers, but above all, singing dancers and dancing singers."
Gumbie Cat (?)
Grizabella
Gus
Gus
Growltiger & Griddlebone
Grumbuskin makeup