The Japanese production has speculated that the name "Skimbleshanks" could be a play on the word "skimble-skamble". Skimbleshanks appears in the ensemble throughout the show, before he dons his uniform waistcoat for his number, " Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat". He takes great pride in his work and considers himself very important, claiming that the train cannot operate without him. He works diligently keeping the watch, mousing and helping out aboard the train. In his song, Skimbleshanks recounts his life as the cat aboard the British West Coast Main Line train a.k.a the Night Mail. His main feature comes about in Act 2, when he is introduced in " Skimbleshanks: The Railway Cat". Skimbleshanks has a variety of lines in " Jellicle Songs for Jellicle Cats" and " The Song of the Jellicles". Must have authority and a bright personality. An excellent high baritone/tenor (exuberant and accurate) with very strong dance skills required. Skimbleshanks is the railway cat - a fastidious, neat and ordered cat, obsessed with punctuality and cleanliness, yet possessing a big heart and sense of exuberance. Some productions however, portray him as a young adult. In most productions, Skimbleshanks is portrayed as one of the older cats, similar to Jennyanydots in age, and the two are sometimes implied to be a couple. However by the end of the musical, he is just as moved by Grizabella as the other cats, and touches and accepts her. He is a very animated character and can be remembered by his signature gigantic smile and bright personality.ĭespite his jovial nature, Skimbleshanks is initially wary of Grizabella and prevents the kittens from touching her. In the original London Production, he is even seen bouncing on a mattress, using it as a trampoline during the opening number. When not in "protector" mode, he is a jolly and cheerful cat, often seen dancing and being silly with the younger toms. S.Skimbleshanks is one of the adults of the tribe, always looking out for the kittens whenever danger is near.
You may say that by and large it is Skimble who’s in chargeįrom the driver and the guards to the bagmen playing cards
He gives one flash of his glass-green eyesĪnd we’re off at last for the northern part Then Skimble will appear and he’ll saunter to the rear: Saying “Skimble where is Skimble for unless he’s very nimble
We must find him or the train can’t start.”Īll the guards and all the porters and the stationmaster’s daughters Saying “Skimble where is Skimble has he gone to hunt the thimble?