Tuggstrap

Tuggerstrap is the family ship between Rum Tum Tugger and Munkustrap from the Cats fandom.

Canon
While most relationships in Cats are left up to the audience for interpretation, Munkustrap's and Tuggers is the only one of the few that has ever been confirmed. As most UK productions will make it explicit that the two are brothers and the sons of Old Deutreronomy.

Tugger often annoys Munkustrap throughout the show. In the 2016 revival, Munkustrap will call Tugger a "terrible bore", during Tugger's number, alongside Alonzo. Though Tugger will only attempt to his Alonzo when he does. Throughout the rest of the number, Munkustrap tends to be annoyed by Tugger taking the spotlight, and in the 2016 revival, will try and block him from dancing with Mistoffelees.

The two will then be the leads for "Old Deutreonomy", both showing some clear respect for their father throughout the number. Tugger will then interupt "Peaks and the Pollicles", which annoys Munkustrap greatly.

Fanon
Tuggerstrap is one of the most explore relationships within the fandom. Due to it being one of the few relationships ever confirmed by Lloyd Webber, it is often a central relationship in works involving either character. It is often speculated on who their mother is, with most fan agreeing that Grizabella is Munkustraps. Some fans also believe that she is also Tugger's mother, but it is often beloved that Munkustrap and Tugger are half instead of full brothers. Tugger is most often regarded as the younger of the two, given Munkustrap's role of being the leader in Old Deuteronomy's absense. This allows Tugger to be more carefree, while still clearly having some responsibilities among the Jellicles. Many fans will often depict Tugger being leader in Munkustrap's absence, or have some leadership even when Munkustrap is there. A popular theory is that Macavity is also their brother, who hated Munkustrap for being chosen as the future leader over him. Something that Tugger was clearly okay with so that he could have more of free spirit.

Their relationship tends to be a side one in fics for Tuggoffelees and Demestrap. Most often for the former, as many fics depict Munkustrap telling Tugger to stop being an idiot in regard to his feelings for Mistoffelees.

On AO3, Tuggstrap is the second most written ship for both Tugger and Munkustrap. It is also the fourth most written ship in the  Cats - Andrew Lloy Webber and Cats (1998) tag. There are currently 70+ written work.

Fandom

 * FAN FICTION

Trivia

 * Munkustrap sings the first line of every show, while Tugger is the last to leave the stage during the Curtain Call.