#gruberstrap

My half of an emergency art trade with @fun-k-art ! They wanted 98 Munkustrap in a Christmas sweater… that I made tacky AF.

Listen, he lost a bet to the kittens and so he had Jenny help make him one! 😌✨

This was fun!! Assume he’s sitting on his tail 😩😖 each time I tried to draw it - it looked wrong.

A thread where I discuss my favorite/least favorite costume designs in CATS. If that's not your cup of tea, feel free to skip! This post will pertain to everything except makeup. I'll save that for a rainy day.

A little disclaimer: my basis for everything is going to be the 1998 version because I believe it does almost everything right when it comes to each character's costumes. For me, some highlights from that production are:

Gus! His wig is perfectly shaped, and instead of the usual blanket or coat, we get to see what Gus looks like underneath. The costume works for this production in that it serves to make him look older and more frail, and it works to tug at your heartstrings.

Munkustrap's wig. Literally...the shaping on his wig is what makes it my favorite Munkustrap look! I know others say Munk's wig is its own character, and that is so true.

For cats like Alonzo, Electra, Etcetera, Jemima, Plato, and Pouncival, I prefer their UK/1998 designs overall. I love the darker Mungo and Rumple designs as well.

I'm not a huge fan of the 2014/2016 revamps, and I'm going to go through each character and explain why:

Grizabella- I like how Griz's new design makes her ears more catlike. I don't like the change from curly hair to straight, because I think the curly hair gives the impression of an old, matted cat (which to me, fits her character better). Obviously, much of this is just personal taste and has to do with my interpretation of the show.

Macavity- The redesigns for him just make him look more dull. Perhaps they were trying to make him less of a spectacle, but he kinda just looks...naked? The leather look makes him less intimidating and more subtle; I can only hope that's what they were going for.

Rumpus Cat- I love the original Rumpus Cat design, but considering the fact that Gus plays Rumpus in the newer productions, I think the design changes were very fitting.

It seems as though the trend for Cats has been to make certain costumes duller or more realistic, which I don't understand. I love the bright, popping designs and I imagine they translate better onstage. I do like the differences in wig shapes that US Tour 6 has showcased, and I think they are well-fitting to each cast member and their character!

Here's a few of my favorite looks from various productions (excluding 98), in no particular order-

I LOVE this Bomba wig:

Jenny's unitard, as shown here:

And...Mexico's Jemima/Sillabub (one word: PINK!!!), Demeter, and Bombalurina (the wigs are so big and fluffy, and I love them!!!):

So yeah, those are a few of my nitpicks and favorites. Just one more thing before I conclude:

CAN WE PLEASE BRING BACK THIS WIG FOR JEMIMA/SILLABUB?!

In conclusion: Cats doesn't have to be realistic. Give me fluffy and spiky wigs, deep reds, golds, and even pinks, mismatched gloves warmers and shoes, and as many tails (wrapped or fluffy) as you can throw at me. I'm not picky, I just want my cats to be stunning and vibrant. Let them really leap off the stage!