Beerbohm (cat)
| Species | Felis catus |
|---|---|
| Sex | Male |
| Born | 1970s Globe Theatre, London |
| Died | March 1995 |
| Owner | Gielgud Theatre |
Beerbohm (1970s – March 1995) was a cat that resided at the Gielgud Theatre in London. He was born in the theatre, which was then named the Globe, and was named after actor and theatre manager Herbert Beerbohm Tree. He became renowned for attacking props and wandering into the actors' dressing rooms. Beerbohm came to public attention when he wandered across the stage during a 1978 performance by Hinge and Bracket, a trick he repeated throughout his life. Beerbohm retired in the early 1990s and went to live with the theatre's master carpenter in Beckenham. After his death in March 1995 the news was carried in many national newspapers and he became the first (and so far only) cat to receive a front-page obituary in The Stage.
Biography
Beerbohm was born in the Globe Theatre (later renamed the Gielgud Theatre after actor and director John Gielgud) in London's West End in the 1970s.[1][2][3] Theatres historically maintained cats on the premises as a means of controlling vermin, but their role increased over time as actors came to see them as good-luck charms and a means of reducing stress.[4][5] Beerbohm, a tabby cat, was named after Herbert Beerbohm Tree, an actor and theatre manager.[4][6]
Beerbohm the cat soon gained a reputation for wandering into dressing rooms and attacking feathered hats and stuffed birds used as props.[3][7] He came to public attention when he began a habit of wandering across the stage in the middle of productions. Beerbohm's first appearance was during a performance of the Hinge and Bracket Review in 1978.[3] He is also said to have enjoyed entering the dressing rooms of Michael Gambon and Peter Bowles.[6] He became known as one of the most famous of all theatre cats and counted Paul Eddington and Penelope Keith amongst his biggest fans.[3] As a result of his popularity amongst actors he was mentioned several times on the BBC Radio programme Desert Island Discs.[6]
Beerbohm is said to have once been addicted to chocolate (a dependence he successfully overcame) and to have survived being run over by a car on the streets of Soho.[3] He was said to have had a girlfriend at the Lyric Theatre whom he would rush off to see frequently.[1] Beerbohm's career at around 20 years is said to be the longest of any modern-day theatre cat and lasted until his retirement in the early 1990s when he went to live with Tony Ramsey, the theatre's master carpenter, in Beckenham.[3][4]
Beerbohm died in March 1995 and became the only cat ever to receive a front-page obituary in The Stage.[3][4] In addition to Hinge and Bracket, Eddington, and Keith, actress Beryl Reid also contributed anecdotes to his obituary.[1] His death was covered by most national newspapers of the time, including the Daily Telegraph which reported that "he never married".[1] His portrait hangs in the foyer of the Gielgud Theatre and he has been the subject of a painting by Frances Broomfield.[4][8]
References
- ^ a b c d Hankins, Justine (1 September 2001). "My fur lady". the Guardian. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- ^ Bates, Dianne (Di) (2015). Awesome Animals Cats: Fun facts and amazing stories. Big Sky Publishing. p. 45. ISBN 9781925275407.
- ^ a b c d e f g Bell, Bethan (3 February 2018). "Whiskers in the workplace: More cats with careers". BBC News. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Stall, Sam (2007). 100 Cats Who Changed Civilization: History's Most Influential Felines. Quirk Books. p. 86. ISBN 9781594741630.
- ^ Smith, Alistair (8 July 2009). "Exclusive: Cats to return to West End". The Stage. Retrieved 3 September 2018.
- ^ a b c Levy, Jan. "50 Shades of Grey: A Contemporary Study of London's Most Historic Theatres" (PDF). London Art Gallery. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- ^ Home, Battersea Dogs & Cats; Hankins, Justine (2016). Catopedia: A fascinating collection of feline curiosities. Headline. ISBN 9781472224798. Retrieved 28 August 2018.
- ^ "Beerbohm, The Theatre Cat Oil & Tempera On Panel by Frances Broomfield". Fine Art America. Retrieved 28 August 2018.