Old Deuteronomy

Poem

In Eliot's original poem, Old Deuteronomy is described as an ancient, wise cat who has "lived many lives in succession" and is respected by the other cats and humans (and perhaps even dogs) around him. His name derives from the biblical Book of Deuteronomy, which shares the central element of law with the character (who is a magistrate).

Musical

Cats expands on the theme of wisdom by depicting Old Deuteronomy as the leader of the show's Jellicle cats, providing comfort and guidance to the other characters.

More has been revealed about Old Deuteronomy's past than most of the other Jellicle cats, although how much of it is true is debatable. He is alleged to have been alive long before Queen Victoria was crowned and has been mated numerous times (supposedly, anywhere between nine and ninety-nine). Though Old Deuteronomy has outlived his partners, he has had numerous progeny.

Old Deuteronomy has three songs in Cats, including the final number, "The Ad-dressing of Cats." He is traditionally played by a high baritone or tenor who can hit G♯.

Appearance

Old Deuteronomy has a full beard and, unlike the unitard that the other characters don, his costume consists of a loose-fitting shaggy coat.

Notable casting

The role of Old Deuteronomy was originated by Brian Blessed in the West End in 1981, and by Ken Page on Broadway in 1982. Quentin Earl Darrington played the character in the 2016 Broadway revival. West End star Dave Willetts portrayed the role in the 20th anniversary cast of the West End production. André De Shields played the role in the off-Broadway revival Cats: "The Jellicle Ball" at Perelman Performing Arts Center in 2024.

On screen, Page reprised the role for 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}} being the only cast member from the original Broadway cast to appear in the film. Judi Dench portrayed a female Old Deuteronomy in the 2019 film adaptation.

References

Print sources

General references

• Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, T.S. Eliot, Harcourt, 1982,
• A Cat's Diary: How the Broadway Production of Cats was born, Stephen Hanan, Smith & Kraus, 2002,

References

1. "Old Deuteronomy". Cats the Musical (official website).
2. "The Story of Cats". Cats the Musical (official website).
3. "Cast / Vocal Requirements: Cats". The Musical Company.
4. "Cats". [[Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.]].
5. "Cats Audition". [[Vereinigte Bühnen Wien]].
6. {{harvnb. Sternfeld. 2006
7. "Original London Cast List". [[Really Useful Group]].
8. "Original Broadway Cast List". [[Internet Broadway Database]].
9. "Inside the Playbill: Cats – Opening Night at the Neil Simon Theatre: Cast". [[Playbill]].
10. [https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-74501417 The House That Dave Built]{{Dead link. (January 2026)
11. Shark, Zack. (May 5, 2020). "Judi Dench Gets Too Honest, Comparing 'Cats' Look to Foxes Mating on Her Back".