[jcstar]

Gus, for the most part, has always puzzeled me.

The text describes him as a very active and popular cat who had had a very busy career.

However, on the OBC, he comes off as cocky and arrogant. "I did this, that and the other thing and I'm great at everything. But I'm not fond of smaller parts."

On The OLC, I get a certain kind of Beatle/Paul McCartney vibe from Tate's performance. I don't know how else to describe it.

In the film, Mills plays him as a very kind, soft-spoken type, who sort of brags, but tries very hard to keep a level head. At the same time, he seems quite sad.

When I saw the tour in Ottawa last year, Gus was played as a very sad, yet humble and lovable. When he bowed near the end of his second verse, we applauded. He reacted as iif he was hearing voices... in a way.

Now, before you say that it depends on who's playing the role, I'd like to hear your take on Gus.

Andy

[Mungojerrie_rt]

He is kind and lovable, but prone to exaduration. The way Growltiger is played Gus is either lying about his great acting status, or he's going senile (or both).

[Rumblepurr]

I would ask you to check out Stephen Hanan's "A Cat's Diary" (Smith & Kraus, Inc., 2001) for some insights how he performed the original Gus on Broadway. On page 16, he mentions that Gus enjoys attention, but that he had a "Star Status" that forbids too much intimacy... In early rehearsals, Gus is called a "simple honest cat that speaks unpretentiously about his past". When Trevor Nunn saw the initial character, he used the text to describe that Jellylorum is both concerned and respected Gus, and that Firefroerfiddle was very important to Gus ("a moment of glory and pride").

I, too, have seen at least four types of "Gus" in terms of personality. However, I truly believe that the character comes from two sources: the director (or even the choreographer) and the script. From that, the actor portraying Gus has to take the skeletal from of that direction, and build Gus from there. I do not believe that there is a particular way to play him.

Respectfully,
Rumblepurr
The Writer Cat.

[VTWC]

[Yip1982]

The funny thing about this is that I confess to have cried when hearing the OBC version of Gus. I think there's a certain delicacy and fragility when I hear Hanan come in with his first line. Perhaps it's OK, and perhaps I do like his approach to the part.

[Mungojerrie_rt]

Jo-Anne Robinson said:
“You can’t direct by numbers. Trevor’s (Nunn) instructions to me were that I shouldn’t teach the show; it must evolve. Some actors relate to the role and express themselves differently. So it’s actually great when we have new blood coming in, because it revitalises the old blood too!”

And she would know.
http://star-ecentral.com/news/story.asp?file=/2009/4/17/soundnstage/3700815&sec=soundnstage

So, yeah, depends on the actor