Macavity

"Macavity is...the bad cat."

--Nathan Derix-Brown, Macavity 

Macavity, the mystery cat...is evil! He is secretive and sly, very good at sneaking up on cats from the shadows. He is also good with disguises, as demonstrated when he sneaks in dressed as Old Deuteronomy. He uses his long claws and demonic laugh to frighten the Jellicles.

It is not clear how Macavity came to be so evil, but it is known that he has magical powers not unlike those of Mr. Mistoffelees, except that the "original conjuring cat" uses his powers for good. Macavity can appear in two different places at once, create explosions big enough to leave the stage in darkness, disappear altogether from tight situations, and hypnotize cats into doing his will.

It has been confirmed by choreographer Gillian Lynne, that Macavity was in a difficult relationship with Demeter, and likely also Bombalurina. He has a small band of male cats following him and doing his dirty work, and it is possible that his track record includes seducing various young females, as in the end they all rise up against him.

Macavity can be compared to Elphaba from Wicked, in the way they are universally hated and their shared ability to defy gravity. I'm sure there's some fanfiction out there telling the whole of Macavity's story, but I have yet to find it.

Demeter and Bombalurina speak of Macavity with mixed hatred and admiration, describing his skill and his way of life in detail. Not even the most famed police can do anything about him, and his track record goes from murder of humans, dogs and cats...to petty theft such as Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer might commit...to cheating at cards. Nothing he does is honest.

Mungojerrie, Rumpleteazer, Growltiger and Griddlebone are all described as agents of Macavity, but none of them go as far as he will to get what he wants, and eventually Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer turn on him and help to chase him off.

Once revealed, Macavity is a formidable fighter, seeming to strike cats down with a single blow of his claws, sometimes not even touching them. There are several possible theories as to why he targets Demeter...many people take it that he is trying to get her back, but others think that he is just getting revenge on her for seeing through his disguise. In combat, he is not above trickery, but can deal fierce blows when the occasion requires. His final escape proves the point once again: "When a crime's discovered then Macavity's not there!"

It is unknown what Macavity thinks of Grizabella as they are never in a scene together, but some fanfiction authors have suggested that she is one of the cats he hurt, while she was out in the world.

Useful Facts About the Role

You will most likely have to cover a small dance role such as Plato or Admetus (see Plato for more information). Macavity is mainly a dance role, and should never have to sing solo. Some strength is required, as both Macavity and Plato lift other actors. Oh yeah...and you need to be able to blow an electric wire, or make it look like you can, and you should have a terrifying evil laugh.