Jellylorum
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{{Primary sources|date=March 2015}}
{{fan POV|date=March 2015}}
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{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox character
| name = Jellylorum
| image = File:jellylorum.jpg
| caption = Susan Jane Tanner as Jellylorum.
| creator = T. S. Eliot
| portrayer = Susan Jane Tanner (London, video)
Bonnie Simmons (Broadway)
Shereen Pimentel (Off-Broadway)
| species = Cat
| gender = Female
}}
Jellylorum is a principal character in the musical Cats. One of the Jellicle cats, she is usually portrayed as a motherly caretaker and is principally a vocalist. The musical is based on the 1939 collection of poems by T. S. Eliot from Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, and Jellylorum is named after the poet's own cat.{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1382102/Now-Lloyd-Webber-puts-Eliots-dogs-to-music.html|title=Now Lloyd Webber puts Eliot's dogs to music|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=20 January 2002|first=Catherine|last=Milner|accessdate=20 April 2019}}
The role of Jellylorum originated with Susan Jane Tanner in the West End in 1981, and with Bonnie Simmons on Broadway in 1982. Freya Rowley played Jellylorum in the 2019 film adaptation.
Origins
Jellylorum was originally the subject of a T. S. Eliot poem entitled "The Naming of Cats".{{cite book|title=Cats: The Book of the Musical|first1=T. S.|last1=Eliot|authorlink1=T. S. Eliot|first2=Valerie|last2=Eliot|authorlink2=Valerie Eliot|first3=Andrew|last3=Lloyd Webber|authorlink3=Andrew Lloyd Webber|first4=Trevor|last4=Nunn|authorlink4=Trevor Nunn|first5=Gillian|last5=Lynne|authorlink5=Gillian Lynne|first6=John|last6=Napier|authorlink6=John Napier (designer)|pages=19–20|year=1983|publisher=Harvest Books|isbn=978-0156155823}} The character's name is believed to mean "lillie cat",
"wisdom" or "tradition".,but traduced to Spanish is "Agiolorum", "{{cite web|title=Names |url=http://rtajs.webs.com/names.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724061930/http://rtajs.webs.com/names.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 July 2012 |work=Rumpleteazer's Argentine Joint Site |publisher=Webs, Inc |access-date=18 May 2012 |author=Rachel Tranter |date=21 January 2004 }}
Character
Jellylorum is a practical and motherly older cat. She is one of the adult characters who initially protects the kittens from Grizabella, whom she later comes to accept. Jellylorum serves as a caretaker for the elderly Gus: The Theatre Cat,{{cite web|url=https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/lifestyle/2333372-cats-teaches-teens-meow-velous-makeup-techniques|title='Cats' teaches teens meow-velous makeup techniques|work=Duluth News Tribune|date=14 March 2013|first=Christa|last=Lawler|accessdate=2 April 2019}} and the two sing a duet in the second act of the musical. Jellylorum is also frequently shown as being close friends with Jennyanydots and Skimbleshanks.
On stage, Jellylorum is usually depicted as a predominantly yellow calico or tabby cat. The character's age varies according to the production; many productions have Jellylorum near the age of Bombalurina and Demeter, but others portray the character as slightly older. In the 1998 filmed version, Jellylorum is closer in age to Jennyanydots.
Songs
In Cats, Jellylorum has four main singing parts:
- In "The Old Gumbie Cat" Jellylorum is part of the female chorus often called the "Gumbie Trio".
- In "Bustopher Jones: the Cat About Town" Jellylorum is one of three female soloists.
- In "Gus: the Theatre Cat" Jellylorum sings a duet with Gus.
- In "Growltiger's Last Stand" Jellylorum performs the part of Griddlebone in most productions.
The role of Jellylorum is principally a vocalist part and is played by a soprano who is able to hit high C.{{cite web|url=https://royalcaribbeanproductions.com/featured-shows/Cats|title=Cats|date=2 June 2017 |publisher=Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.|access-date=30 March 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330005639/https://royalcaribbeanproductions.com/featured-shows/Cats}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vbw.at/media/file/1247_CATS_Audition_2019_-_english.pdf|title=Cats Audition|publisher=Vereinigte Bühnen Wien|access-date=30 March 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=30 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330011328/https://www.vbw.at/media/file/1247_CATS_Audition_2019_-_english.pdf}}{{cite web|url=https://themusicalcompany.com/show/cats/cast-requirements/|title=Cast / Vocal Requirements: Cats|publisher=The Musical Company|accessdate=2 April 2019|archive-date=2 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402073555/https://themusicalcompany.com/show/cats/cast-requirements/|url-status=dead}}
Notable casting
The role of Jellylorum was originated by Susan Jane Tanner in the original West End production in 1981,{{cite web|url=http://www.reallyuseful.com/rug/shows/cats/cast/origlondon1981.htm|title=Original London Cast List|access-date=30 March 2019|publisher=Really Useful Group|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080815020451/http://www.reallyuseful.com/rug/shows/cats/cast/origlondon1981.htm |archive-date=15 August 2008}} and by Bonnie Simmons in the original Broadway production in 1982.{{cite web|url=http://www.ibdb.com/production.php?id=4186|title=Original Broadway Cast List|accessdate=30 March 2019|publisher=Internet Broadway Database}} Other notable performers to have played the character include: Iselin Alme (Oslo, original cast); Susana Zabaleta (Mexico City, original cast); Sara Jean Ford (2016 Broadway revival, original cast).{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/playbillpagegallery/inside-playbill?asset=00000152-d6f4-d39d-a95f-fef413a00000&type=InsidePlaybill&slide=3|title=Inside the Playbill: Cats – Opening Night at the Neil Simon Theatre: Cast|work=Playbill|access-date=24 March 2019|url-status=live|archive-date=24 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324054006/http://www.playbill.com/playbillpagegallery/inside-playbill?asset=00000152-d6f4-d39d-a95f-fef413a00000&type=InsidePlaybill&slide=3}}
On screen, Tanner reprised the role in the 1998 filmed version.{{cite web |url=http://www.reallyuseful.com/shows/cats/shows-archive/cats-cast-lists/1998-film|title=1998 Video Cast List|access-date=30 March 2019|publisher=Really Useful Group|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100407095655/http://www.reallyuseful.com/shows/cats/shows-archive/cats-cast-lists/1998-film
|archive-date= 7 April 2010}} Freya Rowley played the role in the 2019 film adaptation.The role has also been played by Robyn Chambers. Shereen Pimentel originated the role for the 2024 Off-Broadway production.