Gus the Theatre Cat Part 2 | Cats the Musical

Watch part 2 of Gus the Theatre Cat.
Buy tickets for your nearest CATS performance now:
www.catsthemusical.com/see-the...
Lyrics:
Then, if someone will give him a toothful of gin
He will tell how he once played a part in East Lynne
At a Shakespeare performance he once walked on pat
When some actor suggested the need for a cat
Continued: bit.ly/1MhV1zi
Discover more about CATS:
www.catsthemusical.com/
SUBSCRIBE for more Catty content:
kzbin.info_...
Become a Jellicle Cat!
Twitter: / catsmusical
Facebook: / catsthemusical
----------
About:
Based on T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, the show is set amongst a larger- than-life junkyard playground and is alive with our favourite feline characters including Rum Tum Tugger, Mr. Mistoffelees, Macavity, Jennyanydots, Old Deuteronomy, Grizabella and Skimbleshanks.
The Jellicle Cats come out to play on one special night of the year - the night of the Jellicle Ball. One by one they tell their stories for the amusement of Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, who must choose one of the Cats to ascend to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.

[@brunobucciaratiswife]

besides Memory, this song made me sad. He’s so old, trying to relive his younger days, but... he’s just too old. Things are different in his life and in theatre. You can see him literally reaching out to touch Fierfofiddle but those days are gone.

[@Lightray110]

Which is further shown with the way Firefrorfiddle actually Bows to Gus, like he's saying good buy to his creator.

[@alexandresobreiramartins9461]

@@Lightray110 Yes, and they achieve true stage magic in that moment.

[@birchwood5889]

@@Lightray110 goodbye* not trying to be rude

[@Lightray110]

@@birchwood5889 It's fine. ^_^

[@CrazyAlienLady051]

@@sudanemamimikiki1527 which is why I got emotional hen he started crying on stage.it was like the sudden realization that you’re too old to do what you once loved anymore hit him like a tidal wave against a rocky shore. And if you look in the back, you can see the other cats watch him walk off stage with saddened expressions.

[@brianna_903]

To be honest, this song makes me WAY sadder than Memories. It’s the real “tear-jerker” number for the musical, in my opinion.

[@PetersPianoShoppe]

100% agree.

[@RLS-bu4bj]

I named my cat after this song. I'm in tears now that I let him go up to the Heaviside layer.

[@lionblaze0384]

this song BREAKS me. I love it so much

[@marcusc9931]

And now Ian Mc Kellen will sing it...

[@trucetruce335]

I think it exists as a contrast. Gus is just as old and torn and not-what-he-was as Grizabella but they treat him with respect. Because he didn’t do whatever Grizabella did.

[@indigothecat]

A hidden feature of emotional rising in the show, is you think there's a good chance that Gus will be chosen to ascend to the Heavyside Layer, he's sick, old, frail, and misty for his glory days. The difference between him and Grizabella, both older cats who are not what they used to be, is that he was never rejected from the Jellicles, and is still very much beloved by them, and this comes through later on clearly. Think of Grizabella as the old woman that everyone's afraid of in the nursing home, nobody talks to her, and nobody comes to visit her, and Gus is in the same nursing home, but everyone likes him and greets him warmly, they love to hear his stories, and his children and grandchildren visit him often.

[@MooseShower]

I do believe another reason is that Gus is still important to the clan also since he tells stories to the younger cats

[@dr.burtgummerfan439]

Am I the only one who would have a hard time choosing between Gus and Grizabella to be reborn??

[@MegHammil]

Team Gus all the way.

[@dr.burtgummerfan439]

Meg Hammil I think what put Grizabella over the top was the fact that she was outcast for so long, while Gus was always accepted and loved by the tribe. So it was more of a redemption for her. But still...

[@classicmail8239]

"Gus The Theatre Cat" is about his success in making history in theatre and him looking back on all of his amazing achievements in life. "Memories" is about Gizmarelda's failure and her desire to be reborn. Gus is old but he is content with his achievements, Gizmarelda lost everything and is continuing to lose all hope. I get that this is a sad song and Gus is an old Cat, but Gizmarelda has suffered not only loss of her life as a glamour Cat but also her friends and the rest of the Jellicle's, she is genuinely all alone and has nothing but her memories left.

[@DoveCalderwood]

I would too. My heart breaks for Gus. He's lived a full life, yes, and Grizabella definitely deserved to be the one to go to the Heaviside Layer that particular year. But he's clearly in poor health and old. He's a good kitty that deserves another chance to act. I like to believe that Gus made it to the following year's Jellicle Ball, and was chosen then

[@hotpotato2102]

Classic Mail I'm not always correct with my grammar, but I can't count how many times to spelt "Gizmarelda", there's no song called "Memories" in the musical, and Jellicle is not plural. Btw "Gizmarelda" is not a character in the musical.

[@UrpleSquirrel]

I've always liked the interpretation that Gus is Jellylorum's father. She's proud of him, and loves to talk about his successes, and takes care of him so gently in his old age.

[@winterwithawhyknudsen5166]

Returning the favor of Gus taking care of her for all those years. I like to think he was a single dad because male cats don’t usually take care of their kittens.

[@nylathemysticalcat9518]

Look at Victoria when Gus mentions Queen Victoria. The way Misto catches her like, "Okay, calm down." I remember thinking, "Is she okay?"

[@darla.theworkingdog]

When?

[@nylathemysticalcat9518]

0:28-0:30

[@frankiehelpxx6649]

Victoria is like am I a queen?!?! And mistofelees is like honny no.

[@elsie8757]

@@frankiehelpxx6649 Technically, the word for a female cat _is_ "queen" xD

[@tbttube9920]

I’ve watched this movie so many times my whole life and never noticed that

[@hooey4362]

why am i getting emotional over cats. CATS. i never thought i would reach this moment but god seeing old people cry makes me sad.

[@unsinnkim3690]

welcome to midlife crisis, old man. ;-)

[@hanjiiii3802]

@@unsinnkim3690 bro i‘m thirteen and cried 😂

[@alienbeef-gravy493]

It's simply because we are a social species, we cry when others cry to show support

[@GloriaInvictis]

Everyone cries for Cats The Musical. Those modern productions are all very well, but... Wait, what am I saying?! The modern production sucks!

[@xanmontes8715]

The actor is pulling from his history. What he sings as Gus is basically what the actor did in life.

[@SirCraigius]

Poor Gus. Both him and Grizabella are similar in that they've both lived well past their prime and are almost kinda circling the drain at this point. The only major difference is that Gus never left the tribe, so he's still loved by the other cats, which you can see by the way they treat him so gently.

[@dianadee8652]

At least Jellylorum is there to comfort him otherwise I’d be in a river of tears😞

[@eroupopper]

Im just sit in my room and just shouting " WE LOVE YOU!!"

[@nobodyanon]

I'm still in a river of tears regardless RIP

[@lizzybennet6187]

When I saw Cats a few days ago, while Gus was singing the "And they think they are smart just to jump through a hoop" part, Rumpleteazer formed an arch with her body and Mungojerry jumped (or more like enthusiastically slid) through it. He looked so proud of himself.

[@SoniKZooM]

I can never NOT cry when Gus starts crying... TnT

[@cassidyzollinger260]

OMG same! Is it the actor crying or Gus crying though? I cant tell

[@Medatreeme]

MakeupNinja xD I mean Sir John Mills was a legendary theatre actor too so this story really rings out to him almost like he was singing about his life too. I definitely can’t tell if that was him playing as character or if he could full relate to Gus the Theatre Cat that it was his legitimate emotion too.

[@spiritgirl41192]

I break down way before that at 1:48.

[@nobodyanon]

Same rip x.x 😭

[@Annahg78]

YES!!

[@jirachai77]

My wife does theater with a community production and they were getting ready to do Cats in 2009. Before they even started rehearsing, I surprised her by taking her to an actual Cats show. I had no idea what the show was about or what to expect. Most of it, I really didn't get. But this Gus character really touched my heart. I was only 31 at the time, but I remember realizing I too will be an old weak man one day and how I will think back to the glory days, when I was young and strong. I used to compete in strength competitions when I was younger and still pretty strong for my age. But I know that will fade away. Brings tears to my eyes every time I see this. Beautiful song. P.S. - I became friends with the young man that played Gus in the Cats play my wife was in. We are still friends to this day.

[@2degucitas]

Wonderful story. How sweet of you to be so supportive. Your wife has a keeper!

[@joetontillo]

you’re a good person

[@unsinnkim3690]

sounds like you are blessed. greeting from Germany :-*

[@nicolemiller7760]

That’s honestly life goals right there: self-actualization leading to a new friend :)

[@alexandresobreiramartins9461]

That's a cool and moving story. I thin you have come to terms with your mortality better than many people. I totally understand how you feel, and Gus the Theatre Cate is my favorite CATS number, has always been.

[@desotowright]

John Mills is one of my favorite actors who ever lived. He was about 90 when he played Gus here. I actually first saw this in 2005 when I was 13. It was the year he passed away. That makes an already emotionally intense song even more powerful and I absolutely cry every time I hear it. Simply beautiful. RIP John Mills, one of the finest actors of all time and the best Gus there ever was.

[@myrixica4222]

I think its also cause not much of this would have been acting, at this point in his life Sir John Mills was Gus.

[@dr.burtgummerfan439]

He was almost completely blind at this point. When Jellylorum is leading him, that's real.

[@karlandersson8652]

90, jesus christ, thought he was like 70-something

[@roselover411]

90?? Oh my god! That's so amazing that he was able to be part of it on the recording we all love and adore ❤

[@mialuthen]

its the way he cant even finish the song because he's so overwhelmed and on the verge of tears man :((( this song just bREAKS MY HEART

[@wilsonjonah]

This part broke me the first time I watched this show and it still hurts my heart every time... 🥺🥺😭😭

[@clokie6671]

In my interpretation it could also be that he has started to forget the lyrics. I take care of old people, and i can tell you the feeling of forgetting something you KNOW you have said many times is terrible. Some get angry, some feel shame. For me it feels like the last: he feels like he should remember everything perfectly, more so as a self proclaimed great actor, but he can't, his emotions and his age get the most of him, so he hides in shame.

[@allijo514]

Looks like Ken Page/Deuteronomy has a tear in his eye at the end when he looks at Gus. I would too! Such a moving scene. . .Sir John Mills, father of Hayley Mills and British acting royalty. I know that was a treat to be around him for that time.

[@2degucitas]

And Juliet Mills as well.

[@MishraArtificer]

Not just Ol' Deuteronomy...I'm willing to bet the only reason the rest of the actors aren't reduced to tears is because the makeup would take too long to fix.

[@yunamchill9169]

Ha! I would be crying so hard my makeup would come off in rivers.

[@overlydramaticpanda]

The guy who plays Munkustrap in this version said that everyone would start tearing up whenever they ran through this number. It doesn't surprise me, to be honest.

[@Msrosy145]

Sir John Mills a giant of an actor. Sadly missed.

[@TheRadioknight]

I know not everyone is happy that this scene was rewritten (Gus Actor was 90 Years Old, Blind and almost Deaf, he died 23 April 2005) but honestly I like this version the most, it feels more emotinal then the other.

[@hunterwilder9665]

This is the definitive version of “Cats.” The movie was missing the emotional impact that this song has

[@emilyyyyysim]

I think it's alright that Gus never made it to the heaviside layer because he lived a great life according to him and has a lot of great memories. He doesn't need to be reborn because his life was so full.

[@napstabotex3174]

One of the few songs that can successfully evoke tears from me. Memory is all very well, but there's no song to equal the tears Gus can tell.

[@starlesscitiess]

i like ur username :))

[@ytkaseraya3671]

I'm crying I want to hug him :,(

[@theelephantpig3662]

Ytka Seraya who doesn't?

[@maciepezzella4664]

Same

[@thatperformer3879]

Ytka Seraya He's been dead for 12 years

[@purezaceu8884]

Tayla Edwards

[@mafiawashere9872]

Me tooo

[@Loucian093]

Seeing an old (cat?) crying is totally heartbreaking...

[@user-xs5tw7xp7g]

When I see the new movie trailer-----Theatre is certainly not what it was.These modern productions are all well, but there is nothing to equal to what I could tell

[@jessiang9708]

Oh man why did THIS comment break me? ,XD damn you

[@pottered_popo9455]

A lot of Gus's friends may have already been chosen and he is waiting for his time to come, kinda reminds me of when Old Prince Bolkonsky says "ALL MY FRIENDS ARE DEAD ALL MY FRIENDS ARE DEAD"

[@casperrabbit7254]

I love how tragic and sombre the song is, then it pans out and you see Skimbleshanks asleep in the background 😂 Guess his character doesn't give much of a hoot about theatre

[@Broadwaygirl918]

Nah, it’s just that he’s preparing for his song after Gus’s, like he’s definitely not missing a thing, what with having rehearsed it a lot beforehand

[@diz9606]

0:28 Skimbleshanks actor in the background already in position for his song later in the musical. Same position, he already got his suit and everything.

[@kennedyaverett7907]

Diz I love that

[@possums154]

he's a tired boi, always making sure the trains are in time. let him rest

[@Pluveus]

Yeah, you can see in the previous part that he's starting to lay down when Gus starts his solo.

[@Broadwaygirl918]

Yeah. Awesome memory

[@Evelyn_onfire]

God I love Gus. He has so much support and respect from the cats. He is honestly so underrated and yes I am absolutely crying

[@toothrat1106]

I don't know how the other actors aren't bawling their eyes out during this

[@halreader69]

Dammit, Gus. You make me cry every time. He is one of my favorite characters of the musical--such a heart-rending story.

[@s2349606]

Sir John Mills passed away in 2005 RIP Gus is my favorite in Cats

[@classicmail8239]

I wish TS Elliot was still alive so I could learn more about Firefrorefiddle, he's by far one of the most intriguing characters in all of Cats. As if Cats wasn't like looking into a world enough already, hearing Gus talk about Firefrorefiddle is like another layer of depth that only an old Jellicle theatre Cat could know about, something a Jellicle wouldn't understand, let alone a human. It's like when your grandfather tells you old war stories and you can use your imagination but never understand what it really meant. That's the feeling I get from this song, from Firefrorefiddle, the Fiend of the Fell.

[@toolongforyoutoread6]

Most of T.S. Eliot's poetry is impressionistic and not based on any sort of lore he created. Even if you were able to ask him, I doubt he'd have a response.

[@carebear8655]

I’m not particularly fond of the fact that T.S Elliot was a racist, but otherwise, I’d like to ask him too. I agree with the first comment on this thread though.

[@hadassah179]

@@toolongforyoutoread6 Really unfair of him. That character is one of those looney black circles you put on a wall that leads nowhere. There needs to be a creepypasta made if TS Elliot isn't going to do it.

[@rosenrot234]

I get the feeling Sir Ian McKellen will nail this song. I remember behind the scenes footage where he was Gandalf and having a sort of breakdown because he was surrounded by green screen and no actual actors to act with and respond to. I just think he'll really be able to understand poor old Gus and probably make us all cry like babies.

[@tabbiexcat]

Congrats! You predicted Cats 2019!

[@CherryBlossom3x3]

He didn’t.

[@rosenrot234]

@@CherryBlossom3x3 Meh I've heard otherwise regarding his performance. Him, Skimble and Munkustrap seem to be the only folks that gave a shit

[@CherryBlossom3x3]

@@rosenrot234 idk if this is something you'd be interested in but the KZbin channel Sideways breaks down why not only the acting and CGI, but also the music and performances in Cats the movie are bad. Like Ian McKellen did fine with what he had to work with but from a musical standpoint point its still not good, you know? At least to me.

[@rosenrot234]

@@CherryBlossom3x3 Mostly because the person making the movie didn't understand the zanyness of Cats. Skimbleshanks had the only "this actually feels like Cats" number in the movie

[@The-bi5ry]

I absolutely LOVE how Gus and Grizabella are two sides of the same coin. Gus loves life and wants to be reborn because of all the fond memories he has, while Grizabella wants to be reborn because she loves life, but wants a do over because of all the bad memories she has.

[@bella-eo1nm]

0:28 i love how excited misto gets when he hears victoria's name

[@N3RDYG0GGLES]

I’ve probably commented on this video before, but oh my god this performance. He reminds me so much of an elderly friend of mine who was an actress in her day too. Whether it’s when she’s telling her own amazing stories of her career, or listening to this song, you can HEAR the heartbreak when an elderly Ex-performer comes back from reminiscing and remembers that those days are behind them. This song will make me cry every single time.

[@catherinedavis-sparks2634]

I cry every time. Sooo sad. Reminds me of an old folks home, when their memories started going. Truly painful

[@sexycorn1518]

This specific song/scene always sticks with me, Grizabella definitely has a super sad story but Gus’s scene always almost makes me cry

[@caseycollins5837]

My god the actor for this just absolutely knocked it out of the park. The emotion and choked up voice by the end, unable to finish because it’s just too much. Fucking stellar performance

[@AlexisAnderson]

I'm so mad they cut off jellylorum's part in the new movie 😭

[@DiamondSG]

I came here after seeing the movie and I cried 😭 I didn't know it would be that sad

[@APenguinsLullaby]

I find this song really heart-warming. It's a life lived to it's fullest. A life worth living. And the fact the actor is very old and had done so much in his past, it's almost not acting, but him in his actual state.

[@Sigrid.H]

Gus: singing while also crying Me: must. Keep. Tears. Back. Gus: cry Me: damnitt ;w;

[@shellycrouch8385]

I'm wondering what Gus and Jellylorum's relationship is. Maybe she's his daughter?

[@breajohnson7573]

I think Jellylorum is his caretaker? Could be wrong tho

[@gracewilliams2753]

Jaellylorum looks after the elderly cats in the tribe keeps the young kittens in order! She is good friends with the other cats in the Gumbycat chorus 😁

[@nylathemysticalcat9518]

I whole heartedly believe that Gus is her father and she is his daughter

[@bjgigout9832]

Their coloration is so similar- dad and daughter?

[@Broadwaygirl918]

Yeah, some also say she’s his nanny, it kind of throws me off a little bit too

[@bellesolita6748]

Then if someone will give him a toothful of gin He will tell how he once played a part in East Lynne At a Shakespeare performance he once walked on pat When some actor suggested the need for a cat "And I say now these kittens They do not get trained As we did in the days when Victoria reigned They never get drilled in a regular troupe And they think they are smart Just to jump through a hoop" And he says as he scratches himself with his claws "Well, the theatre is certainly not what it was These modern productions are all very well But there's nothing to equal from what I hear tell That moment of mystery when I made history As Firefrorefiddle, the Fiend of the Fell" "I once crossed the stage on a telegraph wire To rescue a child when a house was on fire And I think that I still can much better than most Produce blood-curdling noises to bring on the ghost And I once played Growltiger Could do it again Could do it again Could do it again..."

[@SW-zc9db]

I'm only 19 and am I crying for Gus for 7 years since I first saw him!

[@berkleypearl2363]

This song breaks my heart. Gus reminds me of my friend Bennie who died last year. She was the wisest most wonderful woman ever and her theater was perfect. I don’t care if we never made money. We were kind to each other and we were all friends. I miss her still so much

[@Annahg78]

Condolences ☹️

[@Purpie_Slurpie]

I just.. I just want to give him a hug

[@CrazyAlienLady051]

Poor Gus. Felt it when he started crying on stage while all the other actors watched with saddened expressions.

[@Emy-fv5ny]

I remember watching this on tv when I was a child and I cried, his eyes and the way he looks still makes me cry.

[@casstrott]

Old people crying and being sad makes me bawl like a baby 😭😭😭

[@daxbradley4079]

I demand a sequel where Gus gets to go and be reborn. This kicks me in the balls more than Memories

[@josephjohnson5359]

And I demand a sequel where after Gus the theater cat they show Growltigers last stand I hate they cut the song from this

[@coralroper6876]

This ending makes me sad

[@austinpearce5442]

The fact that they couldn't film Growltiger's Last Stand makes it sad for me.

[@alicehannibal2580]

This song makes me so glad that I got cast as Jellylorum. I can't wait to have such chemistry with another actor, and to be significantly involved in the tear-jerking number in Cats.

[@JayBird-Depressed-Dreamer]

How did being Jellylorum go? Have any fun stories you’d like to share? I’m really interested in being in Cats someday and I’d love to hear what it’s really like!

[@alicehannibal2580]

@@JayBird-Depressed-Dreamer The production got cancelled due to COVID, so no funny stories, I'm afraid. But I'm still a huge Cats fan, and I look forward to being in a production of it someday!

[@wilsonjonah]

@@alicehannibal2580 aww, that's sad... I hope you get your chance someday. It will amaze me if you're able to get through a scene like this without just losing it 😭

[@ericatalbot9890]

He is the most darling old man I’ve ever seen

[@astridwhite456]

This makes me cry every time

[@unsinnkim3690]

damn, the entire ensemble sure know how to act.

[@Delaney-and-the-Starlight]

I'm not crying. ;A; YOU'RE crying! *sniffle*

[@mjandpuppey668]

Jellylorum is so kind she is nice and caring with Gus!!!!

[@carsono.schnelz9543]

holy fuck this is so sad. i used to own a dvd of this as a child and i knew it by heart so seeing it on youtube after ten years is really trippy also i'm kind of high. anyways i do not remember this scene and that's probably because my mom would never let me watch it. this would have scared me so much and then made me cry.

[@Lunar_DeBrie]

Arghgh I love how the actor is holding back tears. Such an authentic experience 🥺

[@adrianinha19]

OMG this one hits hard...people, take good care of your elderly, they are so precious :'(

[@alexconverse4839]

ian mckellen is gonn break my heart, the casting of him for this role as genius

[@clairholbrook374]

Just came back from an ATL production, which was amazing, but I missed the simplicity and nostalgic raw emotion of Gus’ character that is achieved here.

[@martinobrien1876]

I always loved this bit; it is sad but also just amazingly done. Oddly, the first time I saw this particular actor was in the 70's or 80's movie adaptation of Doctor Strange where he played the previous sorcerer, Lindmer.

[@danielfotheringhamproducti7368]

😢😢 It’s beautiful. So sad and so confrontational.

[@cute-bbh913]

1:36 he whas trying to go with his younger side....

[@theamericanyoutuber]

Annie Wasn’t that his creation?

[@eroupopper]

@@theamericanyoutuber chasing after the ghost of his past.

[@theamericanyoutuber]

eroupopper Thought it was Fire Frorfiddle, the Fiend of the Fell,

[@overlydramaticpanda]

@@theamericanyoutuber It's meant to be Gus' vision of his younger self as Firefrorefiddle.

[@theamericanyoutuber]

Overly Dramatic Panda Yeah. :)

[@simplycinderfella3418]

Well....now I'm crying out of every part of my body 😭😭😭

[@rae-raetheturtledemon.]

I always cry whenever Gus comes in this part.

[@verras.3922]

I've seen this scene about five thousand times... still cry. Every time. Dang it.

[@hmm1597]

i just wanna hug him............

[@Aramanth]

A beautiful story of a retired actor's life! STOP IT! I refuse to cry again! 😹

[@nkbujvytcygvujno6006]

Lyrics below: JELLYLORUM: Then, if someone will give him a toothful of gin He will tell how he once played a part in East Lynne At a Shakespeare performance he once walked on pat When some actor suggested the need for a cat GUS: And I say that these kittens, they do not get trained As we did in the days when Victoria reigned They never get drilled in a regular troupe And they think, they are smart just to jump through a hoop (And he says as he scratches himself with his claws) Well, the theater is certainly not what is was These modern productions are all very well But there's nothing to equal from what I hear tell That moment of mystery when I made history As Firefrorefiddle, the fiend of the fell These modern productions are all very well But there's nothing to equal from what I hear tell That moment of mystery when I made... _______________________________________ (Before the video cut:) JELLYLORUM: Gus is the cat at the theater door His name, as I ought to have told you before Is really Asparagus, but that's such a fuss to pronounce That we usually call him just Gus His coat's very shabby, he's thin as a rake And he suffers from palsy that makes his paws shake Yet he was in his youth quite the smartest of cats But no longer a terror to mice or to rats For he isn't the cat that he was in his prime Though his name was quite famous, he says, in his time And whenever he joins his friends at their club Which takes place at the back of the neighboring pub He loves to regale them, if someone else pays With anecdotes drawn from his palmiest days For he once was a star of the highest degree He has acted with Irving, he's acted with Tree And he likes to relate his success on the halls Where the gallery once gave him seven cat calls But his grandest creation, as he loves to tell Was Firefrorefiddle, the fiend of the fell GUS: I have played in my time every possible part And I used to know seventy speeches by heart I'd extemporize back chat, I knew how to gag And I knew how to let the cat out of the bag I knew how to act with my back and my tail With an hour of rehearsal, I never could fail I'd a voice that would soften the hardest of hearts Whether I took the lead or in character parts I have sat by the bedside of poor little Nell When the curfew was rung then I swung on the bell In the pantomime season, I never fell flat And I once understudied Dick Whittington's cat But my grandest creation, as history will tell Was Firefrorefiddle, the fiend of the fell

[@naly202]

I sooooo hope Gus won the contest the next year. Adorable old boy. Such superb rendering by the legendary Sir John Miles. i also love Sir Ian Mckellen's version.

[@ghostieghost4158]

At 0:28 you can see Skimbleshanks already in the spot he starts his song at,and it’s done so well because it looks so natural.

[@colleen5100]

Why couldn't Gus and Grizzabella be both reborn!?

[@PuffySheep3]

I like to think he lived until the next Jellicle Ball and then was chosen. 🖤

[@colleen5100]

@@PuffySheep3 I love that

[@possums154]

@@PuffySheep3 i like that. makes me cry, but i like that

[@Annahg78]

Honestly I wish another space would’ve opened up and then they could both go. If I were to do an adaptation, that’s one change I would DEFINITELY make. (I never will though, because I saw how the 2019 movie version messed up the play and I don’t want to mess it up again)

[@Big_Steve11]

I was listening to The Rum Tum Tugger five minutes ago, how I am already crying?

[@scottyarbour2570]

This is by far sadder than “Memory.” Prove me wrong.

[@Annahg78]

I don’t think they can be compared. They’re both sad on their own merit.

[@abigailrobson5870]

awww this is adorable but sad it makes me think how could anyone be alone :-)

[@madam-mint]

I read that supposedly the gentleman that plays Gus here was losing quite a bit of his eyesight. I’m not sure that’s true, but if so, it hits that much harder. Gosh this whole thing hurts, especially if you’ve got older cats or older relatives in general.

[@Lin2Waterfall]

Y'all ready for Gandalf/Magneto to sing this song in December?

[@nullamor7992]

I feel like Ian McKellen was a decent choice for this role, one of the better choices at least

[@NeoKratosfan2007]

Lin2Waterfall the irony is i remember poor ian crying during the production of the hobbit movies because he wanted to act with actors and not cgi. Amd here gus is also crying about modern productions. Love em both so its really a good casting.

[@Lin2Waterfall]

@@NeoKratosfan2007 At least he is actually acting with other actors in CATS.

[@spirit614]

Someone need to make a music video of the polar bear from golden compass singing this when ian mckellen sing this

[@Broadwaygirl918]

I was born ready!

[@ARW81510]

This is just so emotional. Honestly, (and don't judge me) I would have chosen Gus over Grizabella. Grizabella will redeem herself and can live out the rest of her life with the other Jellicles.

[@willfomes406]

It's okay Gus. (i'm on the brink of tears)

[@samhogo6976]

WHY IS HE SO CUTE

[@lavecchiabessie]

0:26 Victoria was so over it and Misto is trying to get her sis to calm down and respect her elders LMAO

[@thetunebella6675]

Lol

[@laytonpro8655]

Gus is so precious, I can’t help but get emotional watching him

[@julscatten2640]

I always wondered if Gus getting emotional at the end was Sir John Mills pulling from some very real feelings - a 90 year old actor looking back on his lifetime as Gus does. He was a phenomenal choice for the part, even if it did mean leaving out the … well, what we all now realize was a beautiful but incredibly problematic number.

[@theredtopreview2395]

I believe that this song hits us as actors and theatre people. Which is why it cuts so

[@5Mariner]

RIP Sir John Mills

[@manifestgtr]

A lot of people here are saying that Gus should’ve gone…I disagree with that. The difference between Gus and Griz is that Gus has acceptance and respect from the group. He’ll be just fine until it’s “his turn”. Everyone goes through these things at some point in life…feelings of obsolescence and age…that’s different from utter loneliness and flat out rejection. Gus has friends, he has fun, he hangs out behind the pub and still has something resembling a fulfilling existence. Maybe he’ll be ready by next year but that’s the beauty of art. It’s left unanswered in cannon so anyone can interpret it however they see fit. Personally, I think he’s probably the next to go…but I also think that grizabella still made sense within the context of the show and given her current “status” among the group.

[@miaandreatta6037]

Sweetest and saddest moment in the entire show.

[@cardwitch91]

Slightly OT but you know how Victoria tends to 'react' to her name-drops? Does anyone think it's cute how when Gus complains about “kids these days”, she looks around with indignation? Quaxo looks pretty offended, too, as if to say, "Ignore him, we're awesome!" Proper boomer versus zoomer energy before it was a thing lol! Anyway, this is such a sweet and sad song - I feel that if Grizabella hadn’t been in the picture, this would probably have been the Jellicle choice.

[@sarahmansfield9724]

This segment is so amazing. So well done. Two amazing singer/actors and oh... I just get chills watching it.

[@dragoneye2874]

I dont know what it is but Jelly's face when Gus chases after the ghost is so heartbreaking to me

[@guatsuacoustic8997]

Cant stop crying to see this part. excellent performance.

[@4slumberland]

My favorite ♡ Gus and Grizabella♡♡

[@Spoons4spoons]

Now why am I tearing up ☹️

[@unknown-lq1wu]

The end seriously brings tears 🥺 that was unexpected Gus

[@Glittergasm]

This touches the hardest to reach parts of my heart 😭

[@robertostaal]

This performance touches your soul. Incredible achievement

[@CeltycSparrow]

I am weeping for him. I just want to wrap him up in the warmest of Sherpa blankets and hold him and take all his pain away. Give him the very best salmon and spoil him with love. And you see, once again, the beautiful symbolism of how the Jellicle Cats show affection and love and the bonds shared between them as Jellylorum comforts Gus throughout this song. She's not forcing herself on him....she's just gently there, as a warm and caring friend, to show her love and support for this wizened old cat. And then, at the end, when he was overcome with his emotions, she was the one to hold him and guide him offstage. It was beautiful.

[@Sclozeau15]

I cried at this part