With the crescendo of a single note, the stage was gradually lit up. Thus began the “introduction” of Jenny the Gumbie by the leading cat in black and white stripes. His deep and resonant voice echoed on stage, while his companion, the black cat with white fur on the chest, retreated to join the others. Those on the side acted in correspondence to the lyrics such as “tiger stripes and leopard spots”. One clawed the air, imitating the ferocious big cat. Another slightly waved the hips like a nimble ballerina. The supporting roles truly expanded the scope of imagination.
As the lithe introducer arrived at the mahogany chest, the first part came to an end. With an ascending scale, the lid was lifted to reveal the “Gumbie cat”. What an unwieldy figure! She had to roll herself down to land safely, not without the help of her friend. The music immediately upgraded the humor with a faster tempo and then came the sopranos to liven up the whole stage. The plot got ever more interesting when Jenny lined up the mice to teach them music and crocheting and tatting. Those mice, with delicate hands, were truly intoxicated in pulling the thread! Or pulling the bow of the violin? That I do not know.
After a reoccurrence of both melodies, the clumsy cat shed off its heavy fur. She reentered the stage as if a glorious figure from a triumphant battle, with golden tassels shining all over her body. An army of cockroaches, already trained into obedient boy scouts, tapped to the rhythm, and occasionally waved those huge forks and knives as their weapon. As Jenny the chief inspected the lined troop, one naughty cockroach sneakily followed her before her finding out and ordering him back to its spot. The cockroaches then formed a squad under Jenny’s command and paid her the utmost respect in salute. Out loud they sang the lyrics “For she’s such a jolly good fellow” to reach the climax. And Jenny made her one last posture, hands high in the air.
