Magical Mr. Mistoffelees is a character from T.S. Eliot's famous book of poems called "Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats". The character of Mr. Mistoffelees is a magical cat who possesses extraordinary powers and abilities that make him stand out from the other cats in the book.
And we all say:
Oh! Well I never! Was there ever
A cat so clever as magical Mr. Mistoffelees!
After Macavity has been fought off by the tribe, they are left in the dark and without their leader, Old Deuteronomy, who had been kidnapped earlier. For the final repeated chorus, the audience is usually invited to join in the jubilant celebration, with the cast leaving the stage to interact and sing along with them.
Mistoffelees is a magical cat who possesses extraordinary powers and abilities that make him stand out from the other cats in the book. Mr. Mistoffelees is known for his impressive magic tricks and illusions that astonish and entertain both the other cats and the audience.
Mr. Mistoffelees
You ought to know Mr. Mistoffelees!
The Original Conjuring Cat—
(There can be no doubt about that).
Please listen to me and don’t scoff. All his
Inventions are off his own bat.
There’s no such Cat in the metropolis;
He holds all the patent monopolies
For performing surprising illusions
And creating eccentric confusions.
At prestidigitation
And at legerdemain
He’ll defy examination
And deceive you again.
The greatest magicians have something to learn
From Mr. Mistoffelees’ Conjuring Turn.
Presto!
Away we go!
And we all say: OH!
Well I never!
Was there ever
A Cat so clever
As Magical Mr. Mistoffelees!
He is quiet and small, he is black
From his ears to the tip of his tail;
He can creep through the tiniest crack
He can walk on the narrowest rail.
He can pick any card from a pack,
He is equally cunning with dice;
He is always deceiving you into believing
That he’s only hunting for mice.
He can play any trick with a cork
Or a spoon and a bit of fish-paste;
If you look for a knife or a fork
And you think it is merely misplaced—
You have seen it one moment, and then it is gawn!
But you’ll find it next week lying out on the lawn.
And we all say: OH!
Well I never!
Was there ever
A Cat so clever
As Magical Mr. Mistoffelees!
His manner is vague and aloof,
You would think there was nobody shyer—
But his voice has been heard on the roof
When he was curled up the fire.
And he’s sometimes been heard by the fire
When he was about on the roof—
(At least we all heard somebody who purred)
Which is incontestable proof
Of his singular magical powers:
And I have known the family to call
Him in from the garden for hours,
While he was asleep in the hall.
And not long ago this phenomenal Cat
Produced seven kittens right out of a hat!
And we all say: OH!
Well I never!
Was there ever
A Cat so clever
As Magical Mr. Mistoffelees!
From Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. Copyright © 1939 by T. S. Eliot, renewed © 1967 by Esme Valerie Eliot. Used with the permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
The lyrics for "Mr. Mistoffelees" are taken from the T S Eliot poem of the same name from Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats (1939). The song is usually sung by Tugger as a solo, with Mistoffelees' dance break taking place in between the first and second verses. However in some Broadway-based productions, Mistoffelees sings the second verse, either by himself or as a back-and-forth with Tugger. In these productions, the dance break occurs after the second verse instead. The 1998 film uses the version sung only by Tugger, but cuts out some parts of the song including the Conjuring Turn.
He is described as being very mysterious and secretive, often disappearing and reappearing at will, which adds to his magical persona. The main idea of the character of Mr. Mistoffelees is to emphasize the idea that cats have hidden talents and abilities that are not always visible to the human eye. He represents the idea that cats are more than just mere household pets and have a mystical and enchanting side to them. Additionally, Mr. Mistoffelees also symbolizes the idea of the power of belief and the ability to overcome obstacles. Throughout the book, Mr. Mistoffelees proves that with determination and self-confidence, one can achieve great things, even if they may seem impossible at first. Overall, the character of Magical Mr. Mistoffelees adds an element of magic and wonder to the book, making it a beloved and memorable character in the world of literature..
Reviews for "Magical Cats and Mysterious Mischief: Diving into the World of Mr. Mistoffelees"
1. Jessica - 2/5 - I found "Magical Mr. Mistoffelees" to be quite underwhelming. The storyline seemed confusing and disjointed, making it difficult to follow the plot. Additionally, the characters lacked depth and development, leaving me feeling disconnected from their experiences. The musical numbers, while visually stimulating, did little to enhance the overall story. Overall, I was disappointed with this production and would not recommend it.
2. Michael - 1/5 - "Magical Mr. Mistoffelees" was a complete letdown for me. The magical elements were minimal, and the story failed to engage me. The songs were forgettable, and the choreography felt lackluster. The character of Mr. Mistoffelees was underutilized, leaving me wanting more from what should have been the centerpiece of the show. I struggled to find any redeeming qualities in this performance and regretted spending my time and money on it.
3. Sarah - 2/5 - I had high hopes for "Magical Mr. Mistoffelees" but ultimately, it fell flat. The plot was thin and disjointed, making it difficult to connect with the characters or become invested in their journey. The musical numbers lacked the energy and excitement that one would expect from a show of this nature. Sadly, the production failed to capture the magic and wonder that the story promised, leaving me disappointed and unsatisfied.
4. David - 3/5 - Although "Magical Mr. Mistoffelees" had its moments, overall, I found it to be a mediocre show. The plot felt rushed, and the storytelling lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional, and the musical numbers failed to leave a lasting impact. While the staging was visually appealing, it couldn't compensate for the lack of substance in the production. Overall, it was an average performance that didn't live up to my expectations.