Jemima

Jemima is the youngest of the Jellicles, and is often seen playing around with the other kittens. She isn’t generally in the tap dance in the Jennyanydots number though she is one of the mice, and is one of the first dancing with Rum Tum Tugger in his number. She, like just about every other female, (and possibly half the toms,) is in love with Tugger. He also tickles Jemi under the chin. 



Most of the young queens approach Grizabella when she comes back to the junkyard, and Jemi is no exception, the kittens don’t seem to understand what threat a ragged old cat could posses. Jemima is one of the first cats to come out of hiding after the second Macavity scare and with Victoria, Munkustrap and Old Deuteronomy, they call the rest of the cats back to begin the ball proper. Jemima has quite a large part in the ball, as she does a substantial amount of the dancing, and is often near the front. When Grizabella comes back Jemima sings some of her words from before, not out of menace but out of understanding. 




After Old Deuteronomy’s rendition of the moments of happiness, Jemima sings a verse of memory, some people say it is Old Deuteronomy singing through her via the twins, Coricopat and Tantomile. I’m not sure if this is exactly what is happening, but Cori and Tanto definitely offer support to her no matter which way you take it. Jemima helps Old Deuteronomy introduce Skimbleshanks and then can be seen singing and dancing with the female chorus in the next few songs. When Grizabella comes back for a final time to sing memory and collapses to the ground half way through Jemima stands and sings with her, strengthened by this Grizabella is able to finish the song. Jemima’s unconditional understanding is part of Grizabella’s reacceptance into the Jellicle tribe. 



Other names
USA: Sillabub
Australia: Sillabub and Jemima
Norway: Mjau
Sweden: Jemima and Sillabub
Germany: Sillabub
Belgium: Sylvani
Vienna: Sillabub
France: Sillabub
Finland: Jemina and Sibylla

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