Jemima (cat)
Jemima (also known as Sillabub)[1] is a principal character in the musical Cats, written by Andrew Lloyd Webber based on the poetry of T. S. Eliot. The youngest member of the Jellicle cats, she is idealistic and very accepting of others. She becomes the first cat to accept the outcast Grizabella back into the tribe.
The role was originated in the West End by Sarah Brightman in 1981, and on Broadway by Whitney Kershaw in 1982. Veerle Casteleyn played Jemima in the 1998 film adaptation with Helen Massey providing the character's singing voice.[2] Jonadette Carpio portrayed the role (as "Syllabub") in the 2019 film adaptation.
Sillabub[edit]
When the show transferred from London to Broadway, the name "Jemima" was believed to carry negative racial connotations in the United States through its association with Aunt Jemima. The character was renamed using another of T. S. Eliot's Jellicle names, "Sillabub" (a portmanteau of "silly" and "Beelzebub"). The name "Sillabub" has since been used by other productions such as the Australian ones. In the long-running Japanese production by the Shiki Theatre Company, Jemima and Sillabub are two separate characters.[7] Sillabub would eventually be used as Jemima's name in the 2019 film adaptation.
Notable casting[edit]
The role of Jemima was originated by Sarah Brightman in the original West End production in 1981.[8] Whitney Kershaw originated the role (as "Sillabub") on Broadway in 1982.[9] Other notable performers include Anita Louise Combe in the 1985 Sydney production,[10] and Ruthie Henshall as a replacement actor in the original London production in 1988.[11] Arianna Rosario played Sillabub in the Broadway revival from July 2016 to June 2017,[12] after which the role was taken over by Jessica Cohen.
On screen, Veerle Casteleyn played Jemima in the 1998 film adaptation with Helen Massey providing the character's singing voice.[2] Jonadette Carpio portrays the role (as "Syllabub") in the 2019 film.[13]