This transcript was automatically generated and might contain errors.

[0:15] Mike Abrams: Welcome to The Wrong Cat Died, the podcast breakdown of Cats. I'm your host, Mike Abrams, and today we have another amazing guest. She's been in a few productions of Cats, but most recently just finished up performing as Jemima on the International Tour. So welcome, Gabrielle Parker, and thank you for joining me.

[0:29] Gabrielle Parker: Hello. Thank you so much for having me.

[0:31] Mike Abrams: Everyone who listened to Gavin's episode got a sneak peek of a little bit as someone who raved about you in his episode. So excited to have you on. And I always love to start with your Cats history before performing in it. So when was the first time you saw it?

[0:47] Gabrielle Parker: Well, do you know what? I actually started probably my journey into musical theatre mainly from ballet. So I started ballet was probably my main love, something that I always just had a passion for. So I would say growing up, I actually mainly used to go and watch ballet. Probably I didn't really, I hadn't delved into musical theatre too much until probably I was maybe like seven, eight kind of age. Whereas it was like, ballet, ballet, ballet, loved it. But I remember my nanny taking me to the ballet and I turned to her and I was like, why are they gonna start talking? And she was like, they don't. And I was like, Oh, maybe this isn't for me. Like, I loved it. I love the idea of it. But then I was just like, Oh, I wanted something more kind of started like, you know, doing little bits of singing around the house, that kind of thing.

And yeah, and then I think it was probably I think I was about 10 when I first saw the show. And my mum and my nan took me to a production that was happening in Cheltenham. That was a tour, I'm assuming. And watched it and just loved it. And I was like, Yeah, this is incredible. Then was on the on YouTube straight away thinking, you know, I've got to start learning this, you know, just loving it as I'm sure everyone does. You know, at that age, you just, it's just one of those shows that you just, I think, instantly fall in love with. And then it's like VHS, YouTube, just straight in there, you know, always practicing. And I actually remember probably much to my brother's despair that I used to always make him dress in like a catsuit. So I'd be like, right, we're gonna perform Cats. So get the catsuit on. And my brother used to obviously not enjoy me doing that. But yeah, so I think I just, I just loved it straight away.

[2:39] Mike Abrams: Who'd you make him perform as? Was he like, all the male cats? And you were all the female cats?

[2:44] Gabrielle Parker: Yeah, I think. I mean, I always remember it was like a black catsuit. So I was probably like, you're gonna be Mr. That's the role for you. But yeah, so probably like, yeah, around like 10, 8, 9, 10.

[2:58] Mike Abrams: Okay, was this the hip hop Rum Tum Tugger tour?

[3:04] Gabrielle Parker: No. So this was like the OG. Yeah, I just have like such vivid memories of like the flashing eyes sequence where, you know, all the cats start coming through and just instantly was like, this is incredible. Like you just felt in it from the get go, which obviously is the whole point of the section. And yeah, it's one of those things that you can do. I can just visualize to this day. And it was just, yeah, loved it.

[3:34] Mike Abrams: Were you like drawn to Victoria as like a ballet performer? Like does that because like, that's the role that that starts with. So like, is that something that you first, like immediately saw and was like, okay, this is like, was that the cat for you? Or was it just everything? Because at that point, you were into musical theatre?

[3:54] Gabrielle Parker: I think no, I think Victoria was something that instantly I was like, okay, I want to do that. I think, yeah, because I'd done so much ballet growing up. And obviously, Victoria is such a like gorgeous classical role, like intertwined with everything else. But it, you know, obviously has such a strong classical foundation. Yeah, I think, yeah, it was just and the why you're just like, oh, it's just gorgeous. Yeah, yeah, that was definitely a big door. And I was always wanted to be Victoria.

[4:32] Mike Abrams: Well, then fast forward to 2018. And you were cast as Victoria. So was this like a show you were seeking out as like, I want the auditions for this? Or was it just a you're going for every any and everything? Because it's part of being a performer? And this just works out? Like, how is that? Like, was it always the show you wanted to do?

[4:48] Gabrielle Parker: I think I wrote well, I remember. So I trained actually at the same college as Gavin's. We both trained at the studio centre. And I remember in we had like jazz assessments. And one of the kind of repertoire that we started learning was Cats, taught by Anthony Whiteman, who had been in Cats. And I remember just learning it. And I was like, I love this. Like, we and we learned so much choreography, so much like variety of stuff. And I just absolutely loved it. And I think, just at college, it was that thing of, I really want to do this. And I remember looking up like, he was, you know, currently being he was currently playing Victoria and all this kind of stuff at college. And I was like, I really, I just really want to do it.

And yeah, I think when I then graduated, I got a wonderful agent. And she was very much, you know, she was like, what do you want to do? And I was like, Cats, I want to do Cats. And I think, you know, she very much believed that I could. So I think it was one of my quite early auditions out of college. I think I'd maybe been graduated a month or so, which was amazing, like timing wise, I was like, Oh my gosh, this is brilliant. But you know, you just never know. And then yeah, when I got the call, I actually was originally put in for or was seen as Rumpelteazer to start with, which I was like, Oh, this is fun. Okay, I wasn't expecting that. And then fast forward to my next round, it was like, Victoria.

And I was like, Oh, okay. And then, yeah, I remember doing all of the, you know, Copeland choreography, Hover's choreography in the auditions, and then was called in to be Victoria. And then we were learning the Victoria solo. And I was like, Oh, okay, this is really real now. Like, I really could get this. And yeah, I remember getting the phone call from my agent. And I was actually at my family home at the time. My mum was upstairs and my agent called me and said, you know, would you like to be Victoria? And I remember just screaming. My mum was upstairs, smashed a mirror, because she thought like something awful has happened. She was like, Oh my God, what's happened? She came downstairs and I was just like, I got it.

So I think it was like, obviously, the smashing of mirrors, the whole seven years, bad luck. So I think it was like seven years of doing Cats. I mean, it's slightly longer than that. But I was like, I think it just all yeah, came together makes sense.

[7:12] Mike Abrams: Yeah, you didn't get the bad luck. You just became jellicle for seven years.

[7:17] Gabrielle Parker: Exactly.

[7:18] Mike Abrams: So you go and in that first room, I'm always fascinated by like, how you're learning the story. So obviously, you're learning the dance, you're learning everything. But what do you remember of being told about Victoria? And then also fast forward, you do this multiple times as Jemima, like about those two particular characters as you're learning it, what's the like, what's the this is what I'm given to start with. And then this is what I built for this character.

[7:45] Gabrielle Parker: I think, I mean, obviously, I'm sure you're aware of the three words, the sacred three words. So I think it's so strange. I always think like, it's just three words that you kind of think, Oh, well, you know, great, but actually, how they all tie in. And when obviously, you're learning the choreography, you're learning your, you know, character relationships, all of that, you're like, okay, this makes absolute perfect sense with these three words. And I think, once you're then tapping into that, and I yeah, just kind of creating your junkyard with everybody in the room, it then really like solidifies your character, and you can then delve into different avenues. And it just, it just makes sense.

You're just like, okay, yeah, obviously, I'm, you know, these three words are for this character. Yeah, it's just, yeah, the three words really are like, so, so important. And I think when you're learning, especially, you know, from Chrissy, who just, you just want to continually watch everything that she ever does, because she's just so wonderful. You just absorb so much from her as well. I think when she's teaching, you know, small, like, even just small sections, like, that are specific to your character, you can so quickly gain information from her just from, you know, those small little pearls of wisdom that she gives you along the way. And you're like, Oh, okay, I'm gonna take that and, you know, have a little think about how I might interact with that person that's going to then shape my character, that kind of thing. So yeah, it's just, yeah.

[9:25] Mike Abrams: What was the one that surprised you most? Like when you were told about Victoria, that like little piece of wisdom that you're using now for the next character? What was the one they were like, I wasn't expecting that?

[9:33] Gabrielle Parker: Um, I think because she's, I guess, well, I don't know if I'm allowed to say, I'm assuming everyone knows the words, but like, one of the words for her-

[9:44] Mike Abrams: They're online. You can find them online.

[9:46] Gabrielle Parker: Thrilled. Okay, lovely. You know, I'm like, sacred words. But one of them was unselfconscious, which I think, when you first kind of think of Victoria, like, you know, she's very innocent, she's young, like, she's kind of pure, all of this kind of stuff. And obviously, again, it makes sense that she's unselfconscious due to, you know, the Victoria solo is absolutely that. But I think, in a way, it then makes you think, okay, actually, she is just kind of eager to explore, eager to like, she's, yes, she's innocent. Yes, she's like, tame and stuff. But she's so, I don't know, kind of curious at the same time. And I think sometimes you don't necessarily think that you think she'd almost be like, very timid and shy and quiet, because she's the little, like, white cat.

But actually, she is like, unselfconscious. So actually, she's kind of got that, almost like that no filter, you know, children, you know, younger children that just are like, actually, I'm gonna just do what I want. I think that was one that I was like, okay, I didn't necessarily think that from her. I think I thought she would be a little bit more, like, reserved as a character. But yeah.

[10:57] Mike Abrams: Yeah, it's interesting, because you do see that. And I can totally feel that. But then it's like, when I learned about what's happening on stage during the fall, and during the solo, like, can't be that self conscious in that moment, if you're doing that in front of an audience of people.

[11:14] Gabrielle Parker: This is it. Exactly. But yeah, I don't think you you think initially, you're like, Oh, no, she's just this very pretty, like, well put together little cat. But then actually, you're like, Oh, okay.

[11:24] Mike Abrams: No fear.

[11:25] Gabrielle Parker: Yeah, yeah, just go for it.

[11:26] Mike Abrams: Yeah. What about Jemima?

[11:29] Gabrielle Parker: Um, I think, I mean, I don't know whether I think for me, I have definitely found like, because actually, Jemima is younger than Victoria. And I think, for me, I don't necessarily I think I didn't think that she would be younger. I don't know why I just in my head, I was thinking, Oh, no, Victoria is the youngest one, because she's this like, cute little, little white kitty. But I think for me, Jemima has that kind of like, cheeky energy as well. So yeah, I loved kind of exploring that as well from her.

[12:07] Mike Abrams: Yeah. Can I give you some Jemima syllabub theories? And you tell me if they're real or not?

[12:12] Gabrielle Parker: Oh, yes. I love, yeah.

[12:14] Mike Abrams: Okay, so one was the relationship to Grizabella being either that it's a mirror of Grizabella.

[12:52] Gabrielle Parker: In my head, I think that Jemima is the daughter of Bombalurina and Macavity. Another is Macavity and Grizabella. Another is some version of Monkish Trap is the father, and then either like a Jellylorum or potentially even a Skimbleshanks is the father, but that version. And then obviously there's a lot about potentially being sisters with Elektra and et cetera, because they're together a lot.

[13:49] Gabrielle Parker: Oh, okay. Well, none of the above. Kind of. So in my head, I think that she is the daughter of Bombalurina and Macavity. And I think that that's happened. She's been abandoned on a train and that Skimbleshanks, the cat of the railway train, has found her, this little abandoned kitten and has kind of taken her under his wing and has kind of adopted her. But Jemima doesn't know that she's the daughter of Macavity and Bombalurina. I think at this point, she's almost like too young, that she's just like, I know that my grown-up is Skimbleshanks and he's going to look after me kind of thing.

[14:50] Gabrielle Parker: Okay. So just abandoned love child of the two of them and then adopted by Skimbleshanks as a father figure. What about the telepathic type of stuff and the magic that sometimes is played with this character? Did you ever play anything with that? I mean, I guess there's definitely like the connection with the twins. I've always thought that, you know, like when you hear of like younger children that are like, oh, I can see this or I've heard this. And they have that kind of, I don't know, connection with other spiritual things. I've always thought it's like that because she's so young and kind of open, I suppose, to those things that that's why she's kind of used as someone that is able to connect with that, I guess, because she's so open to just like exploring and finding things and yeah, taking on new information. So I think that's where I've always thought that that kind of magical telepathic element would come from.

[15:51] Gabrielle Parker: Okay. Yeah. I think it's the relationship to the twins and that's like kind of pulling it in there.

[15:56] Gabrielle Parker: Okay. So you play, I like the idea and the theory. How did you play the relationship with Grizabella then? Just like a warning sign for you?

[16:04] Gabrielle Parker: No, I think again, I think my thoughts were always that Jemima would get on, I don't know, I'm obsessed with the train. She would, like, Skimbleshanks would allow her to just like, you know, hop on a train, do a little bit of exploring, but he'd say, you know, you need to be back by beta clock. So that kind of thing, you can go and have fun, do what you need to do, but make sure you're back. And I think that Jemima would occasionally go off on her adventures and see Grizabella, wouldn't necessarily ever speak to her or kind of have any full relationship there. But I think she would like watch her and, you know, have a little bit of a, I know that you're there, you know that I'm there. And I always have this, I don't know why, but me and Grizabella both have quite like a dark red lip on as a cat. And I always think that maybe Jemima's like found a lipstick or something and has given it to her.

[17:31] Gabrielle Parker: And interesting, yeah, or something like that, just something so small that, you know, she's never said anything, but has just gone, Oh, I know that she, you know, she's probably living around that area at the moment. So I'm going to leave this for her. Because I think, you know, I can see that she's obviously wants to be glamorous. And I think, you know, she might like that as a little gesture. But I'm too scared to speak to her. So yeah, random, but that's always something that I love it.

[17:35] Gabrielle Parker: Yeah, I love all the different pieces that you can add to that's what the beauty of Cats where it's like, yeah, you can have that storyline. And hopefully, maybe somebody notices it on stage. But if not, it's like, it's not like a massive piece, but it gives you something to really tie yourself to that character, especially in the moment to where you have to, you know, where she comes back before, you know, in memory and during that whole part.

[18:16] Gabrielle Parker: Yeah, yeah. Okay. I want to talk a little bit about the differences between the productions because you did the Victoria in 2018 in like throughout China, and then you did 2022 in Korea and Taiwan, like one, and then then you had a little bit of a break again, then you did the international tour, but both parts of that. So that's the section that went through China again, and then all through Europe and everywhere. What, how do you like Cats is universal, but you went through a zillion different languages, like was primary language. So how is like, doing a show like this in so many different cultures?

[18:36] Gabrielle Parker: I mean, Hugh, it varies hugely. I feel so lucky that I've performed in so many different places as well. I think it, yeah, the variety is just so special. I think going to, so obviously 2018 Victoria, that was like my first, well, my first time doing Cats and my first experience going to China. I'd never been, never been before. And it was just, I mean, the theatres over there are just wonderful, like ginormous, like absolutely, like amazingly like architecture and everything. But sometimes for like flashing eyes, you'd be like, oh, that's quite far. This is quite fast, but, you know, gorgeous. And the audiences just loved Cats, absolutely loved it. So again, that was, it was just so lucky that, you know, you go, it's so nice to be performing somewhere that they just love the show.

[19:30] Gabrielle Parker: I think, interestingly, with like the theatre kind of culture over there, especially, you know, to start with, it was things like, you know, the start of Act Two, there would be like laser beams everywhere because the ushers would be trying to tell people to get off their phones or their laptops or God knows what else they'd bring out. But like, you know, it's very different over here where everyone's like, hey, you know, you know that that's, you know, you don't take your laptop to the theatre and start, you know, doing your emails in the middle of memory, which happened, you know, crazy stuff. But yeah, so that was like a big change, like, it was just very interesting. So I've been to the theatre before, you know, many, many times, but never performed. Like, you know, and it was just in China, it was just crazy, but loved it, absolutely loved it.

[20:32] Gabrielle Parker: And then, obviously, after that tour, I then was, I've then played Jemima. So I did Jemima in Korea, and Taiwan, and then China and Europe. And it's very cool that I, as Jemima, get to sing Moonlight in a variety of languages. So that's been, that was a quite a challenge to start with. So I've done it in Korean, Mandarin, and obviously in English. And that in itself was just, I mean, terrifying. To start with, I was like, oh my God, like you think, if I mess this up, there is no coming back from this, you just have to drill it into your head. But the response was just wonderful. Like, just, the audience just loved it.

[21:12] Gabrielle Parker: And I mean, you know, they obviously there's subtitles and stuff throughout the show, because the rest of the show is in English. You know, and so they know, I guess what's going on, I suppose, is Cats, but you know.

[21:24] Mike Abrams: Yeah, they know as much as everyone else does.

[21:30] Gabrielle Parker: Yeah, exactly. So but yeah, that would that would be obviously going on at the sides. And then obviously, as I say, top of act two, I then start to sing in, you know, as I say, Korean or Mandarin. And it would take, you know, a couple of seconds for the audience to realize. And then the sound, like people would just be like, oh, oh, oh my God, like, literally just audible, like kind of sounds. And, you know, it was just for me, it was just like such a special moment in the show anyway. And then to have that kind of reaction as well was just, it was just, yeah, amazing, amazing experience. And yeah, but it was it was quite stressful at times. I thought, I can't, you know, you just have that moment of like, I don't want to mess it up, because it is also so special, you know.

[22:19] Mike Abrams: It's surprising, too. So if I've heard a lot about this now recently, but for if this is the first time you're hearing about this, like, essentially, what you all did is you did the show in English in every stop. And you took a section of Moonlight at the beginning of act two and put it in whatever the local languages, although I don't think you did it internationally, right?

[22:33] Gabrielle Parker: No, no, no, no, Korea and China. Yes. They didn't know it was coming. So it's like, it was very much a shock. And you're the only one delivering that entire section.

[22:43] Gabrielle Parker: Yeah. So you had to learn that couple lines in whatever language and then go and you surprise them essentially every night with that.

[22:54] Gabrielle Parker: Yeah. And it was just, yeah, and every night, I mean, you know, there'd be the odd one that, you know, they probably know what's going on. But it was just, yeah, it was so special. So special. I mean, I think it was just, I felt very privileged that I was able to, you know, deliver that. I think the only time that was a little bit like I was like, oh, okay, so I just learned Korean and we performed in Korea for I think it's about seven months at that. So we did like a seven month stint in Korea. We had a month off. And then we went to Taiwan, where they then I then had to learn it in Mandarin. So I had a month off, where they were like, okay, you need to learn this in a different language. And I was like, okay, I can do this is so fine.

But obviously, I've been doing it for seven months in another language. So to then rejoin the dots in my brain to be like, okay, you're not singing in Korean anymore that like the first kind of couple of weeks when we were in Taiwan, I had to really tune into my brain to make sure I was singing the correct language.

[24:00] Gabrielle Parker: Yeah. But yeah, but it was just it was just great. And I think I can't remember if we did it in that tour as well. But once the rest of the company also sang in the language, which again, was just it was just really lovely.

[24:16] Mike Abrams: That's awesome. We're gonna take a quick break and then we'll be back for more of The Wrong Cat Died. I'd love to hear some unforgettable moments from doing this for many years. Like what are the things you're never gonna forget? I think I mean, so I have gained a husband from Cats. So that was pretty unforgettable. So yeah, my husband, he was the head of sound when I did the first tour.

[25:14] Gabrielle Parker: And I was like, oh, she's telling the truth. It's a thing. And it apparently is a thing. There's been a variety of white cats. Is that a thing or was that her trying to be like, the sound guy was like, hey, I want to meet Victoria. Can you go tell her this is a curse? I've never heard that. Yeah, no, it's genuinely a thing. I think, well, so as I say, my resident at the time, she also was a Victoria Marina. And she was a Victoria and she, during her time as Victoria, got with the head of sound. And then I think it happened another time. So she told me it was a curse. But anyway, my husband doesn't like me to say it's a curse, obviously. Doesn't want to say that. Okay, so I had another stage manager, I'm trying to think through all like, we've had a handful of jellicle relationships outside.

And the stage manager, but it was a syllabus or Jemima wasn't a white cat. And then, because I'm fascinated by it, because I totally understand the like, why so many couples come from the show, you are like crawling on top of each other. And like, but I'm always like, whenever I hear them, I'm like, would those characters get together or not? You know, like, I'm thinking about it purely from that side of like, would that happen or not? And not like you all are actual, actual human beings with completely could be exactly like your character or not. And yeah, or just meeting somebody in the workplace. So I didn't have never heard the white cast, white cat curse, though. That's interesting. But yeah, and what we, I mean, we, we've been married nearly for two years, but we did perform the Jellicle Ball at our wedding.

[26:55] Mike Abrams: Both of you? Did you make him wear it off?

[26:57] Gabrielle Parker: No, no, no. That's good to say. No, to be fair, he was, I think he was in charge of the music. He did sound. He did the sound. But I think there was about 12, 12 kitties at my wedding. So we had nearly half a cast. So and all 13 minutes, you did the whole thing?

[27:10] Gabrielle Parker: No, no, we just just from judges, just from judges. I mean, I was in like heels in a wedding dress. Yeah, it wasn't my finest work. But it was good fun.

[27:23] Mike Abrams: That's amazing. Okay, so that's a very memorable moment.

[27:25] Gabrielle Parker: Yeah, having your white cat curse. And to be honest, again, kind of similar. I guess like it was been it's been so special that I've had my family come out and watch me. That's just been wonderful. Especially in Europe, because, you know, it's much closer to home. So that's been such a special thing. And just like you gain so many wonderful friends from doing the show. I think, yeah, like life lifelong friends that, you know, yeah, I just I'm so grateful for like, you know, the show brings you together. And I think, you know, because it's such a intense show, it's like the show itself, you know, you're just going to get intertwined with every, you know, everyone, and you just become such strong friends.

So definitely, that's another like, massive, like memorable thing. I mean, I've had like, crazy stuff happen also on the show where, like things I'm like, wow, okay, won't forget that I in Korea, in between, it was we're about to change venues. And I was cleaning my brushes to, you know, my face paint brushes, had a little cup on my desk of brush cleaner, which is just a clear liquid, put it on my desk. And in the interval, I was like, right, gonna clean the brushes, you know, organization, organization. So I'd left that on on my desk, went and did Act One, came back, mistook this said cup for a cup of water. So down basically pure alcohol, spat it out everywhere, because it was brush cleaner, it was not water, the floors like bleach, and I was thinking, oh my god, and then had to go and try and sing beautifully soprano for the top of Act Two.

And then, you know, after a few days, I was like, my throat's really sore, I had to go to a doctor and I burnt my esophagus. Wow, drinking that. So you know, but we all do it for the cause for the cause. So that was something I'll never forget. And like the smell of brush cleaner now, I'm like, it just sends me back to cats back to the little buzz in Act Two. Yeah, and then I guess another another one, which happened on this tour. So because I, obviously, this time, I've been Jemima, but I was first cup of Victoria. And it was in the middle of Act One, and our Victoria was taken ill or injured, I can't remember. But and I basically had the number of Montgomery Rampool to get changed fully out of Jemima into Victoria in, you know, like five minutes, basically.

So felt like it was a bit of a Mrs. Doubtfire moment of like face in pie, white makeup on my face, because I was just like did not have any time. So I looked crazy, absolutely crazy on stage, because I thought my makeup is atrocious, because I just basically painted white as much as I could over my face. Yeah, you know, new wig, new costume to get on. And that was something I was going into your solo, right? Like you're like, it's the ball.

[30:33] Gabrielle Parker: To be fair, she'd done the solo. So she'd done the hard work. But I had to then do basically the ball, the lift and the rest of the show. But yeah, it was just like, just crazy. But I think that's just cats. You just have to go. You start the show and you think, who knows what's gonna happen? You know, it's just one of those shows where it's just so there's so much happening. So many, you know, elements that you just go. Yeah, who knows? It's so physically demanding that I'm like surprised I don't hear more injuries, you know, like, yeah, yeah. But also just like a testament to the what you all do to be prepared and stay prepared and all the people helping, you know, like all the staff that's kind of working to do that. And I'm glad to hear that there's more covers and swings and everything that kind of preserve you all to be able to do this as much as you need to.

[31:25] Gabrielle Parker: Yeah, we love the swings. The swings are the heroes. Truly, they're absolutely incredible. I mean, I wish we had more, more swings. You know, it's just, yeah. And I think it's one of those as well, because, you know, as soon as there's an illness, it just goes around so fast because we're all sweating and, you know, crawling all over each other. You know, you can hand sanitize as much as you like in those couple minutes you're off stage. But, you know, it's like you just, yeah, you just have to hope for the best. But yeah.

[31:56] Mike Abrams: Okay, let's do some rapid fire. So if you could perform for one night as any cat, male, female, doesn't matter who do you want to perform as?

[32:03] Gabrielle Parker: Tugger. Tugger. Yeah, I want the mane.

[32:09] Mike Abrams: Yeah. Who are your favorite and least favorite cats from a personality standpoint? It's like, which one would you Gabby like to hang out with and which one would bug you?

[32:13] Gabrielle Parker: Oh, okay. As Gabby as me as Gabby. Yeah. Okay. I think, um, I think probably I would like to hang out with probably like Rumpel because she's just like cute and fun. Um, bit mischievous. I'm like, yeah, that sounds fun. Um, I think I feel like Gus would drive me mental. Like love Gus, love Gus. But I think it's the same store, like, you know, and you could just imagine that you're like, I've heard this enough. I love you so much. But in small doses.

[32:56] Mike Abrams: Favorite song in the show?

[32:56] Gabrielle Parker: It's gotta be Macavity. It's just, it's just brilliant. The music as well. Like, I mean, or, I mean, I don't know if this counts as a song, but like the Jellicle ball is just, oh, I mean, even like when we do sound check every, every week or every venue, whatever, like you just hear the band and you're just like, this is amazing. Like the music is just sensational. Um, and same for Macavity, you know, it's like all the sax saxophones and like, it's just, oh, it's just such a good, gorgeous number. It feels nice as well to dance it, you know, to that music. It's so fab.

[33:34] Mike Abrams: I like to ask a fun one. So if you could cast your sound husband into one of the cats, who would you want him to perform as?

[33:39] Gabrielle Parker: Oh my God. Okay. Well, he's very tall, so he'd have to be a tall cat. Um, I felt like he'd be like an admittance. Oh no, that's no mate. Yeah. Maybe an admittance. Okay. Yeah. Okay. Then he'd be Macavity. No, that's scary. Um, um, I mean, I feel like he, he'd want to be like tugger or someone like cool. Maybe he'd be like, no, he'd be a monker strap. He's very organized. Very. Yeah. He'd know. Yeah. He'd be a monker strap. 100% very organized. Very. Yeah. He just, he knows what he wants.

[34:25] Mike Abrams: Yeah.

[34:25] Gabrielle Parker: Yeah. Um, my million dollar question is this whole podcast centers around. I don't think Chris Bell being the right jungle choice. So I want to hear you, Gabby, who is your jungle choice and why?

[34:36] Gabrielle Parker: Huh? Um, I, I think it should be Gus. Okay. I was a little worried when you said that Gus is your, you're the one that's going to bug you that I'm like, Oh no, we're not going to pick up. But okay. So team Gus. Yeah, I think it should be Gus. I just think, yeah. I also think, I mean, I, I was very lucky to do the longer version of cats in Korea where we, where you do the growl tiger number, Siamese, Aria, that whole section. And obviously the, um, like Rumpus cat is all, it's a, it's Alonzo that plays Rumpus cat and does the gorgeous like Deslapaye who, um, in Taiwan was Saverio who has literally the best legs and feet I've ever seen in my life. Shout out to Saverio. Um, and I would just love Gus to be able to come back and do that. Yeah. I want to see Gus give me a layout.

[35:30] Mike Abrams: Yeah. Okay. So, so Gus is like, well, you watched his prime. You're like, I've seen it. They tell us that story. I want him to come back and yeah, he's ready. He needs to.

[35:41] Gabrielle Parker: Yeah, I think so. I can see it in him, but he just needs, he needs the chance to just relive that. And I think as well, like as Jemima, I'm like, I want to see him actually do it. Yeah. You know, like, yeah.

[36:02] Mike Abrams: You're like, I'm, I'm young enough that like, if he comes back, we can maybe work on this together.

[36:06] Gabrielle Parker: Yeah. I love it. Um, this has been so fun. How can people stay in touch with you on social media and everything else to see what you're working on?

[36:12] Gabrielle Parker: Um, on my Instagram would probably be the best. Yeah. Okay. All right. We'll tag that. Um, but thank you for coming on for sharing all your fun stories and your experiences and your Jellicle family that's expanded since you first started with the show, the white cat curse. Who knew? Well, yeah, there you go. I'm going to tell all the, there's a bunch of people that are doing the show regionally right now. And I'm a big, every Victoria out. Talk to your sound guy right now. It could be, it could be your future.

[36:37] Mike Abrams: Yeah. Good. You could get some diamonds out of it guys.

[36:41] Gabrielle Parker: Awesome. Well, thank you again for coming on.

[36:44] Mike Abrams: Thank you so much.

[36:48] Mike Abrams: Thanks. And thanks everyone else for listening to this episode of the wrong cat died, the podcast breakdown, the cat Sashafi to follow along. You can subscribe on Apple podcast, Spotify, or any of us has a podcast. Follow us on social media. Check out the website, the wrong cat died.com.