Repertoire

Prologue

Free from running around, the mice are gathering at a moment somewhere in the backyard of a fairy palace to listen once again to the old Cat who has been retired for a long time being not scary to them at all. On the contrary – the mice love these stories about the adventures during his youth. For the Cat is such a good actor! When he tells something it’s as if he gets younger momentary moving back ten years in time.

This time the Cat decided to tell them how it all started…

And it all started with the fact that the Old Miller left, under the will, the following properties to his three sons: a mill for the eldest; a donkey for the middle; and the Cat and a pair of boots for the youngest. The youngest son was very upset, but the Cat turned to be not a simpleton, but a great wise head and a shifter. He reassured his new owner promising that he would “give him a start in life.” For he has a plan. The Cat is firmly convinced: if you are well dressed and have beautiful clothes and expensive shoes, then life is much easier, and people will respect you.

Act I

The young owner of the Cat is a romantic by nature: he is head over heels in love – and not with some simple girl, but with the Princess herself!

Early in the morning, washerwomen go to the river bank – they wash, they gossip, they joke. They manage to attract the attention of the young man with good singing, jokes and cheerful dances. And no one guesses that the tricky Cat has already decided to start implementing his plan “to improve the life” of his owner.

Suddenly, everyone hears the clatter of hooves and the screeching of carriages – the royal retinue is approaching! The Cat demands the young man to quickly undress and get into the water. Managing the bustling preparations for the “meeting” with the King, the Cat jokingly invents a new name for his owner – Marquis. According to his “scenario,” Marquis should loudly call for help pretending that he is drowning.

When the King’s carriage appears on the shore the Cat runs out to meet him, shouting, “Save Marquis!” The retinue stops. The King and Princess, together with their servants, rush to help. Meanwhile, the Cat “explains” to everyone that while Marquis was bathing, thieves stole his clothes. They “rescues” Marquis and drags him naked to the shore. The King orders to give him the best clothes. The Princess sees a half-conscious young man and falls in love with him on the spot. Barely awake after the “drowning,” Marquis cannot believe his luck.

The Cat is pleased with it; for the first part of his plan gets results. But he still has several important “points” and meetings ahead of him. The King invites Marquis to travel with them in the carriage. The Cat – who knows the route of the King’s retinue well – runs straight to the mowers and millers.

Tricky Cat wins the favor of the mowers and millers with jokes, dances, and tricks. He persuades them to say at the meeting with His Majesty that both the fields and the mill – all that is the ownership of their master Marquis. And so it happens! When the King and the Princess do believe in these Cat’s fictions, the Cat runs to the most important “point” of his cunning plan – i. e. to the ogre’s castle.

Act II

An ogre nicknamed Zhuylo mocks his courtiers in his palace – he chooses whom he will eat for lunch now. Frightened subjects are forced to play along with him, for anyone can become the next one to be eaten. When there is an opportunity, however, they secretly show their disdain for Zhuylo.

Suddenly, the guards inform the ogre that someone unknown is coming to the palace; but that unknown is so scarry that they even confuse words with fear and persuade everyone to hide.

The Cat appears in a strange costume of a lion and tricks the ogre into showing his “unbelievable” wizarding abilities; like turning first into a formidable lion and then turning into a little mouse. And when the ogre turns into a little mouse the Cat… eats him with gusto!

From now on, the castle and all ogre’s subjects – according to the Cat’s plan – belong to the richest man in the kingdom, that is to his master Marquis! When the King and his retinue arrive at the castle – which is already owned by the Cat – everything is already ready for the magnificent wedding of Marquis and the Princess. The King blesses the newlyweds, and the wedding party begins. Guests sing a majestic hymn to love which unites everyone and makes this world a kindler place. And the Cat has every right to conduct the wedding choir.