This is a new production of the classic children’s story featuring the seminal Cruella de Vill as fiendish villainous villainess and, unsurprisingly, 101 dalmations. The tour alternates between Kym Marsh of Coronation St fame, and Faye Tozer of pop group Steps assuming the role . For this show we had Tozer, whose performance was anything but a “Tragedy “as she “Stomped” her way through the evening with glorious abandon in animal themed outfits (costume Sarah Mercadé), ably betted by her comedic duo sidekick nephews, played by Danny Hendrix and Charles Brunton. She personally provides the drive and energy for the show. Her singing and movement ( choreography, Lucy Hind) is superb.
A stage production of 101 real dalmation puppies would present numerous practical difficulties, and a lot of clearing up, so instead we are offered ingenious puppets and their puppeteers, which works brilliantly. Designed by Jimmy Grimes and expertly manipulated by the ensemble they replicate every canine mannerism in an inspired display of anthropomorphism.
David Woodhead’s set is simple and versatile, effortlessly morphing from the park to flat, to De Vil lair. It explodes into life for a spectacular pyrotechnics finale.
This is not a staged version of the Disney 19621classic which transformed Dodie Smith’s original 1956 novel . Instead a brand-new musical score has been created by composer and lyricist Douglas Hodge with the script the work of the doyen of Scottish panto Johnny McKnight. Contemporary references abound with CCTV, mobile phones, and micro-chipped dogs,ubiqiotous yet set designer Woodhead and director Bill Buckhurst still ground the action in a stylised 1950s exaggerated style that makes us all fell comfortable. The stage adaptation is the work of Zinnie Harris , and a commendable job she has done in doing that.
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Consequently the show veers more towards panto than musical , Tozer becomes the wicked step-mother and revels in her two big solos “Fur Fur” ,and, “I Can Smell Puppy”. The hapless Cruella sidekicks are straight out of the “Home Alone” storyboard.
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But Jimmy Grimes’ puppetry is the beating heart of this production oozing, warmth, bonhomie, charm and intimacy. Pongo and Perdi, puppeteered by Johnson and Thornett, are a delight. The sentimentality and schmaltz hits overdrive with “A Thousand Kisses”, but, it works, it fits, and it engages with the reprised theme of needing a home particularly poignant in these times of refugees and homelessness. “Take Me Home” is a moving tearjerker.
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I took a nine year old girl as a companion- she loved it, and the 7pm start time is ideal for a young, family audience who rewarded an energetic evening with a standing ovation, and a mix theatrical boos for Cruella and cheers for her performance. This is a hugely entertaining reimagining of the original story with plenty of humour and panto style laughs, and runs until Sat 24th before continuing on nationwide tour.
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Garyswordz 