Many in Melbourne this week are mourning the passing of Marzipan, the grand old tortoiseshell diva of the city’s theatre scene. The much-loved Astor cat died on Sunday 24th March 2013 Australian time after a lingering illness, at the ripe old age of 21 years.
It was back in the early 90s when Marzipan made her debut, having appeared as a courageous young starlet from under a truck parked out front of the Astor; sashaying up the steps and through the front door, thereby claiming the theatre as her own.
With her arrival, Melbournians quickly took Marzipan to their hearts with doting patrons dropping by to say hello, and sending holiday postcards from all over the globe. Staff had Marzipan’s feeding duties included in their work rosters.
With her latest feature Feline of the Opera only recently completed, Marzipan is perhaps better remembered by some loving but rattled theatre-goers for her unannounced cameo appearances during the showings of Poltergeist and an Alien/Aliens double feature.
Marzipan is survived by 500 saddened Facebook fans and theatre staff who cared for her every need over the years. Fondly described by patrons as a gorgeous cat with a friendly nature, the iconic tortoiseshell will be sorely missed.
– Those with photographs or recollections of Marzipan have been asked to send them to the Astor Theatre rsvp@astortheatre.net.au
*** Opening image of `Marzipan the Astor Cat’ by Matt Elliott photography ***
Hello Ian
The Astor theatre will be showing The Arisocats as a MAZIPAN Tribute on the 14 July at 2.00 pm. Part of the proceeds will be donated to the Lort Smith Animal Hospital in memory of Marzipan. This information can be found on their website at http://www.astortheatre.net.au/films/aristocats
Regards
Chris
What a great idea Chris.
Thanks for sharing.
Hello Ian
Service for Marzipan cat will be held probably next month.
I have reading on the following webpages saying they may get another cat down the track. A woman in a bookshop in Windsor lost her three cats in Feb 2013 she has got three new cats now.
Chris
Thanks so much Chris.
Hello Ian
I know Marzipan was the astor theatre’s mascot. Do you think they should have got another cat before she died? Might have worked then again it might have failed.
Chris
Hi Chris,
Yes, that is a tough one as sometimes cats just don’t get on. It is hard to imagine the Astor without a cat though.
March seems to be the month of bereavements. It is sad to be reading of the flight of the pretty old dame no sooner than I learnt about her in your previous post. It is a fine tribute.
Thank you Uma.
Yes, I’m so glad I did get around to writing the initial piece.
Glad you considered it an appropriate tribute.
Hello Ian
I have a pictures of Marzipan on the following website saying Farewell Marzipan, people have sent flowers and cards for her. There will be a service for her sometime in April.
Chris
Hullo Chris & thanks for initially contacting me. It was via your message that I first learned of Marzipan’s passing.
I’m sure there will be many at her service.
Marzipan’s beautiful, I’m sorry for your – and the rest of Melbourne’s – loss.
Thanks for dropping by Jasmine.
Yes, very sad indeed.
Ian, sorry to hear of Marzipan’s passing. Your tribute to her was very timely, a writer’s impeccable instinct.
Yes, so sad NP.
The instinct thing is interesting isn’t it? Especially having procrastinated for a couple of years before penning `Feline of the Opera’, I guess I did sense that I was running out of time.
Aw, that’s sad. But, Marzipan must’ve been granted a few lives in excess of the standard feline nine!
That really was some innings Kris!
I believe 21 feline yrs is the equivalent of 101 human yrs(?)
http://www.calculatorcat.com/cats/cat-years.phtml