Mr. Mistoffelees

Mr. Mistoffelees is the conjuring cat, a magical tuxedo cat who can make things appear and disappear. His number is the technical highlight of the show, packed with fouettés, jumps, and impossible tricks.

Personality for Dance

Mr. Mistoffelees moves like a spark. One moment he is completely still, and the next he is across the stage, spinning, before anyone saw him move. His movement quality is sharp and sudden with no telegraphing. Preparation is hidden. The effect is that he appears and vanishes at will. When he is still, he holds the stillness like a coiled spring, eyes bright and alert, weight slightly forward on the balls of his feet. When he moves, it is with electric precision. Every turn lands clean. Every jump is at maximum height. Every arm line is exact. He is not showing off. He is a professional, and professionals do not fumble.

The Outfit

Top

A tuxedo-style unitard in black and white. The body of the unitard is black, with a white chest panel that suggests the tuxedo shirtfront. The white panel can be sewn in as a separate piece of fabric or achieved with careful use of body paint on a black unitard, but fabric reads better under stage light. Sparkly or sequined accents on the black sections catch the light as he moves, suggesting magic.

Bottom

The unitard continues in black on the legs. White paw detailing at the hands and ankles, either as gloves and anklets or as sewn extensions of the costume. A long black tail with a white tip. The overall silhouette should be sleek and sharp, nothing trailing or loose that would interfere with the technical movement.

Accessories

A small black bow tie at the neck, either a real bow tie or a fabric detail on the unitard. Cat ears in black on a headband. Minimal other accessories. Mr. Mistoffelees does not need decoration. The costume is already a magic trick.

Shoes

Black jazz shoes or split-sole dance shoes. He needs maximum flexibility for the footwork and jumps. Tap shoes if the studio teaches tap and the choreography incorporates rhythm work. The shoes should be polished and clean, consistent with the tuxedo formality of the overall costume.

Hair

Sleek, neat, and controlled. Black hair swept back from the face. A small amount of gel or spray to keep it in place through the fouetté sequence. If using a wig, choose something that will not shift during turns. The hair should reinforce the precise, contained quality of the character.

Special Details

Sequined sections of the costume should be concentrated on the shoulders and upper back so that they catch light most dramatically during turns and jumps. Consider adding a short black cape for the entrance that can be removed with a dramatic flourish before the technical section begins. The reveal from cape to full costume is its own small magic trick.

Movement Tips

The fouetté sequence is the centrepiece of Mr. Mistoffelees's number and it needs to be staged with the care of a magic act. If the dancer can execute 24 fouettés, build up to them through the music so that when they start the audience already senses something extraordinary is coming. If 24 is beyond the dancer's current level, a sequence of piqué turns, chaîné turns, or a combination of jumps and turns can achieve a similar effect of sustained, dizzying technical work. Never include the sequence unless the dancer can do it cleanly. A clean 12 beats it every time.
The magic trick staging is the choreographic invention that makes this number. Mistoffelees appears behind other cats who were not looking in that direction a moment ago. He produces objects from behind someone's ear. He vanishes behind a group and reappears on the other side. None of this requires actual illusion. It requires fast crossings, blocking that creates brief visual gaps, and a company who commit to reacting to his appearances with genuine surprise. Rehearse the reaction shots as carefully as the movement.
The lightning speed of his footwork in the verses should be a clear contrast to the stillness between phrases. The choreographic rhythm is fast, fast, fast, then completely still, then fast again. The pauses are not rests. They are held moments where the audience can catch up and the next burst can land harder. Do not allow the stillness to go slack. Hold it with the full intensity of what came before.
Frame the whole number like a magic show. He enters with ceremony. He performs each trick and waits for the reaction. He builds to the finale. He takes a bow. Structure the choreography in acts so that each section has its own climax and resolution. The audience should feel like they are watching a performance within the performance, because they are.

Age Recommendations

Best for ages 11-17. Mr. Mistoffelees needs strong technical training with particular focus on turns and jumps. Acro training is a significant advantage. Cast a dancer who is technically precise rather than one who is dramatically expressive. This role rewards clean execution above all else.