| “ | The Rum Tum Tugger is a curious cat and there isn't any use for you to doubt it. For he will do as he do, do, and there's no doing anything about it. |
” |
Rum Tum Tugger is a principal character in Cats. He is the rock star of the tribe, a charismatic wild anarchic energy who is adored by the younger characters and tolerated by the older ones. As one of the main male vocalists, the character has two solos: "The Rum Tum Tugger" and "Magical Mister Mistoffelees".
He was briefly replaced in productions from the 2014 London revival onwards by a rapping "Street Cat", but his original Rockstar personality has since been reinstated in all productions since the 2016 Broadway revival.
Personality[]
| “ | Vain, Perverse, Inconsequent |
” |
Rum Tum Tugger is a self-obsessed show-off, often trying to steal the limelight and revelling when all attention is focused on him. Many of the kittens and queens are fans of his charisma, however the more mature characters are impatient with his antics, especially Munkustrap, Demeter, and Mistoffelees.
He is indecisive and demanding, and only likes "what he finds for himself". There is nothing he "enjoys like a horrible muddle". Despite this, Tugger does demonstrate rare moments of seriousness and humility, showing deference to Old Deuteronomy and giving Mistoffelees his due credit for bringing Old Deuteronomy back. He initially has no time for Grizabella and treats her with contempt. However after she sings "Memory", he accepts her along with the rest of the tribe. Rum Tum Tugger is also seen in "The Awefull Battle of the Pekes and the Pollicles" in which there is a comedic moment where he walks out playing the football bagpipes while Munkustrap looks annoyed at his improvisation. When "Growltiger's Last Stand" is included, Tugger also plays one of the Raffish Crew.
In some London-based productions, he is said to be the younger brother of Munkustrap.[1][2] These productions may play up the sibling dynamic, with Tugger trying to mess with his responsible big brother throughout the show.
Appearance[]
Rum Tum Tugger is a primarily black cat with a remarkably large golden mane and leopard spots in patches on his chest, arms, and legs, which suggest a dark tabby coat pattern. He channels the rock 'n' roll styles of the 1950s/60s with his leather belt, gloves and quiff. His look is very consistent between productions, however the Japanese production initially made Tugger a more direct reference to Elvis, emulating his iconic fringed white jumpsuit while still retaining Tugger's large fluffy mane. The Japanese production adopted the black and gold look in the mid-1990s.
Tugger initially appears in "Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats" in a basic version of his costume, with a neat, short wig, no mane, and dark warmers disguising the more distinctive golden markings of his base unitard. This "Chorus Tugger" costume is used for the Street Cat as well, although he wears the dark original Tugger basic unitard over the featured character costume base layer, requiring the performer to wear multiple layers for the first number. In the Broadway Revival, Tugger wears an entirely different ensemble costume during "Jellicle Songs", consisting of brown and black stripes not unlike some Mungojerrie costumes. This character is officially a different cat named "Bill Bailey" (unrelated to the ensemble character Bill Bailey), and not simply a younger version of Tugger. Again the actor layers this ensemble costume over his featured song costume base.
Gallery[]
Role[]
| Hamburg 1998 | RUM TUM TUGGER:
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| US Tour 2011 | Rum Tum Tugger:
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| German Tour 2012 | RUM TUM TUGGER
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| Broadway 2016 | Rum Tum Tugger
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| Australia 2025 | RUM TUM TUGGER (Male presenting, 18-35 years)
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Rum Tum Tugger is one of the principal vocalists in the show. He has two solo numbers, "The Rum Tum Tugger" and "Magical Mister Mistoffelees", as well as a duet, "Old Deuteronomy", that he sings with Munkustrap. The role calls for a pop/rock tenor with a strong falsetto that goes up to D6 in his song.
As a major vocal role and character part, the actor's technical dancing ability is less important than his singing and character acting. The amount Tugger dances in the show varies according to the actor's ability, but he usually has a featured section in the "Jellicle Ball". However the 2025 Australian Production specifically cast a strong dancer rather than a singer.
While the 2016 Broadway Revival casting call includes "funk and street styles a plus", which suggests casting for the "Street Cat" Tugger, the production opened with the "Rockstar" original interpretation of the role.
Etymology[]
Translations[]
The following names have also been used for the character of Rum Tum Tugger in various international productions:
- Micsel Rumli - Budapest 1983 (Hungarian) - Micsel sounds similar to Michael, and Rumli means "mess" or "disarray"
- Rom Tom Tapper - Oslo 1985
- Runtunranttu - Helsinki 1986
- Ram Tam Trassel - Stockholm 1987 (Swedish) - trassel meaning "trouble"
- Tuk Stuk Rukker - Amsterdam 1987 (Dutch) - rukker meaning "wanker"
- Rocky Tam Tam - Paris 1989
- Pon Roc Terco - Mexico Tour 1991 / Punk Rock Terco - Mexico 2013 (Spanish) - meaning "punk rock stubborn"
- Rabalder Rocco - Copenhagen 2002
- Ram Tam Tamek - Warsaw 2004
Leitmotif[]
The Rum Tum Tugger's eponymous song consists of a motif that is repeated and imitated with different rhythm and pitch throughout. The motif is first heard when Tugger interrupts the end of "The Old Gumbie Cat" to make his entrance. It is composed mainly with quaver and crotchet notes with forceful accents on the last two beats, creating an appropriately dramatic introduction that immediately draws attention.
Tugger's main motif that is repeated and imitated throughout his song.
Listen to an excerpt showcasing the Rum Tum Tugger's main motif.
The motif is reprised in the Finale when the rest of the cast has left the stage, leaving Tugger to revel in the limelight one last time.
Cast[]
Performers who have played Rum Tum Tugger.
Fandom[]
For fandom headcanons and theories, CLICK HERE.
Trivia[]
- The performer playing Rum Tum Tugger is usually the last to leave the stage after the final bows, staying in-character to revel in the attention and applause.
- A 1991 episode of the American animated sitcom The Simpsons titled "Three Men and a Comic Book" (S02 E21), features the character Buddy Hodges asking the crowd at a comic book convention if they saw him play Rum Tum Tugger in the second national touring company of Cats.
- A 2013 episode of the American television series Glee titled "A Katy or A Gaga" (S05 E04), features the character Jake dressing up as a "lion" in what is clearly meant to be a nod to the Rum Tum Tugger, prompting him to say that he looks like a "gay thundercat".
- A 2015 episode of the American police sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine titled "The Chopper" (S02 E22), features the character Boyle saying that he wants his codename to be "Rum Tum Tugger".
- In the 2021 episode of the American adult animated series Helluva Boss titled "C.H.E.R.U.B", the character Blitzo dresses up as Tugger.
References[]
- ↑ "Munkustrap", catsthemusical.com - archive of the London 2014 website.
- ↑ "Behind the Scenes", UK Tour 2013. Ben Palmer (Munkustrap): "Well obviously being brothers with Tugger. Yep, we are brothers from another mother." Oliver Savile (Tugger): "Quite literally."