Leg warmers from Rum Tum Tugger costume used in the musical Cats

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Leg warmers from Rum Tum Tugger costume used in the musical Cats

Napier, John

1982-2000

This pair of leg warmers is part of a costume worn by actors portraying the character Rum Tum Tugger in the original Broadway production of Cats. The leg warmers are made of black and beige wool yarn knit with copper metallic yarn alternating in horizontal stripes.

One of the Jellicle tribe that introduces themselves over the course of the show, Rum Tum Tugger is portrayed as a rebellious and flirtatious cat who loves to be the center of attention. Rum Tum Tugger is a singing role with several solos like “The Rum Tum Tugger,” “Magical Mr. Mistoffelees,” and other featured parts. He originally embodied a rock star persona but takes on more of a rapper style in more recent adaptations, like the 2014 West End revival and the 2019 film adaptation. Paul Nicholas originated the role on the West End in 1981 and Terrance Mann later took on the role on Broadway in 1982. On the screen, John Partridge portrayed the character in the 1998 film and Jason Derulo portrayed him in the 2019 film adaptation.

Cats broke Broadway records with its run of 7,485 performances from 1982 until 2000 at New York’s Winter Garden Theatre. The play, written and composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber based on stories and characters from T. S. Eliot's 1939 Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, and first premiered in London’s West End in 1981. The expensive and spectacular production has been called the first “megamusical,” inaugurating a new period of Broadway theater history when big-budget shows with elaborate special effects, spectacular costumes, and rock music revived the theater district’s sagging fortunes. Cats earned multiple Tony awards in its original run and has since been revived on Broadway and in numerous national and international tours.

Currently not on view

Theater

Amusements

Music

Napier, John

Musical Theater

Smithsonian Institution

http://collections.si.edu/search/results.htm?q=record_ID=nmah_1191034&repo=DPLA

Theater

Amusements

Music

Napier, John

Musical Theater