Gus likes to talk a lot about how he was when he was young, like all old dudes, and no doubt tells lots of embarrassing memories of how Munkustrap acted as a kitten. It may sound like he has a very high opinion of himself, because he is always saying how good his acting was and is, but he has good reason to boast. Gus is a very good actor, having lived all his very long life in one theater or another, and even puts on a show for the Cats!! He acts the legendary villain Growtiger very well, and lots of the other Jellicles take part in his little play. Jellylorum is a kind of niece of his, very understanding of his ways, and though often is laughing inside at some of his antics she is always outwardly kind to him.

Gus (who's name, as I ought to have told you before, is really Asparagus, but that's such a fuss to type....) is partial to a toothfull of gin with his friends at his Club. Some people have their suspicions about this Club, thinking it may just be a group of old Cats finding an excuse to drink gin from teeth. Skimbleshanks thinks this most of all, because he is never invited to this Club because he is too young. Gus tells him he would not like it anyway, because they don't ever drink Scotch.

Old Gus thinks the part he played best was Fireforfiddle, the Fiend of the Fell. He remembers this very clearly, so clearly that he often 'sees' himself playing the part. This also implies that Gus, like many other oldies, is also slightly mad. However, he is happy enough, except sometimes when his memories get a little to much for him, and Jellylourm has to take him somewhere quiet to calm down.

Gus is probably destined to go to the Heaviside layer sometime soon, because as time gets on he will only become older and madder. The year the play is set may even have been planned as Gus's turn to leave, but then Grizabella came along and Old D decided she needed a new life more.

There is a large age gap between the Gus in the CATS movie and the Gus in the plays. I think this is because the Gus in the plays has to be young enough to play the lively part of Growtiger, waving fearsome swords around and falling off planks. He (the actor) also doubles a Young Asparagus, who was most likely called after old Gus and is a sort of nephew, but not one related to Jellylourm, and has to be young enough to do all that dancing about.

Gus is a very important part of the Jellicle tribe, and all will be sad when it is finally his turn to leave for the Heaviside layer.

Note: Sir John Mills, who played Gus the Theater Cat in the movie of CATS is very sadly deceased.