Boots from Rum Tum Tugger costume used in the musical Cats

Boots from Rum Tum Tugger costume used in the musical Cats

Usage conditions apply
Downloads
Description (Brief)
This pair of boots is part of a costume worn by actors portraying the character Rum Tum Tugger in the original Broadway production of Cats. The high ankle boots are made of synthetic leopard fur uppers with folded-over collars embellished with long white fur tufts in back. The boots have black corrugated rubber soles with nonslip patterned surface and beige suede lining.
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.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
Boots, pair of
boots, pair of, worn by Rum Tum Tugger in Broadway play "Cats"
boots, pair of,
boots, pair of
Date made
1982-2000
designer
Napier, John
Measurements
overall: 17.7 cm x 11.4 cm x 30.5 cm; 6 15/16 in x 4 1/2 in x 12 in
ID Number
2000.0219.04.08
accession number
2000.0219
catalog number
2000.0219.04.08
2000.0219.04.08
subject
Musical Theater
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Entertainment
Popular Entertainment
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Nominate this object for photography.   

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.

Note: Comment submission is temporarily unavailable while we make improvements to the site. We apologize for the interruption. If you have a question relating to the museum's collections, please first check our Collections FAQ. If you require a personal response, please use our Contact page.