Tecklenburg: in which Munk would like a Great Big Stick too, please dad
Here is Deuteronomy. He has a Great Big Regal Stick, with a cat's head on the end.
@storyweaverofgondor and I talked a bit over here about Munk's 'coming of age' as a leader re. him learning to fight Macavity, but his arc also involves leadership skills within the tribe. Both these aspects of leadership - protecting it from external threats, and managing internal order - are represented by Deuteronomy's staff.
Consider "Pekes and Pollicles" - that number is central in Munk's 'coming of age' arc. We see him in Jenny's song gathering everyone to get the party started and setting the tone, then standing aside to let his cats shine; we see him shoved to the side when Tugger takes over; P&P is the first time we see him really take centre stage for himself.
Except he has all the problems of a replica Munkustrap - plus more, because Tugger isn't the only one who keeps interrupting and stealing his lines! And at the end, the sense that Deuteronomy is disappointed in him for the choice of subject matter is stronger than in most replicas: poor boy looks a bit crushed. :(
But what is he wielding during this song, his first major grappling with practical leadership problems during the show?
His own little staff! More of a cane, really. Not as big and majestic as dad's, but he can swoosh it impressively. Plus, if the Authority Of The Staff isn't enough to keep everyone at a respectful distance, at least he can physically restrain Jerrie with it when he and Pounce are trying to rip each other to shreds. Progress, right?
But he must still learn how to Properly Handle Stick.
This is especially true when we consider that Macavity's power is centred in fire (if you haven't seen the production, he's a fire-breather) and Deut's is centred in his staff. When Macavity captures Deuteronomy he does it by snatching his staff and using it to overpower him:
And what weapon does Macavity wield once he's subdued Deuteronomy?
FIERY STAFF. He combines his own power with Deuteronomy’s, and that’s what poor Munk has to overcome.
(It obviously isn't the same prop because it's a fire staff with the fuel pads on either end and no cat's head, but I think we're meant to see it as Deut's staff, given how the cats handle it...)
In the process of defeating Macavity, Munkustrap takes the from him (and the fire goes out, though it's hard to tell at which point in the fight that's meant to happen, since it's hard to control). So he banishes Macavity and his magic - but where is Deuteronomy? Munk cradles the staff when he sings 'we have to find Old Deuteronomy', before holding it up to show the tribe.
He remains temporary custodian of the staff throughout Misto's song, before surrendering it to Misto to use as part of the trick that brings Deut back. Misto then returns it to Deut with a bow, and in the process of getting back up onto the platform at the back of the set, Deut discreetly replaces the fire staff with his own proper staff.
Deuteronomy’s power and majesty is fully restored! But then, finally, after Grizabella climbs up to the Heavyside Layer: Deuteronomy finally bestows it upon Munkustrap. A Great Big Stick of his Very Own.
And Tugger nuzzles his hand. 😌 Munk now has The Respect of the Tugger. He has made it as a leader.
(Armin Kahl as Munkustrap, Reinhard Brussmann as Deuteronomy, Zoltán Fekete as Macavity, and Shane Dickson as Tugger; Tecklenburg 2015.)
