Dodie Smith’s story 101 Dalmatians has endured over the previous 70 years, first showing as a serial entitled The Great Dog Robbery in Woman’s Day journal in 1956, to the beloved 1961 Disney animated adaptation and the 1996 stay motion film. It has had earlier stage adaptation in each the UK and US and a earlier however totally different musical theatre absorb 2009.
First showing on stage at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in 2022 it’s now touring the UK on this musical iteration, with a ebook by much-loved Scottish playwright Johnny McKnight and music and lyrics by theatrical man of many skills Douglas Hodge.
On paper it ought to be a sure-fire winner, and whereas it scores extremely within the cute issue (who can resist a bevvy of cuddly singing pups?), this modernised model, assume references to Crocs, the smoking ban and Boris Johnstone, in actuality, falls in need of the mark.
Fellow Dalmatian homeowners Tom and Danielle meet and co-habit as shortly as their bum-sniffing mutts, who simply as shortly begin producing their very own bundles of noticed fluff. Down on his luck clothier Tom has an opportunity encounter with the pinnacle of design firm Haus of DeVil and a possibility for some riches means he has to signal away the lovable puppies to its notorious proprietor Cruella. As Cruella’s dastardly plan unfolds it’s as much as the furry pals to foil it.
The complete manufacturing is driving on the backs of the furry puppets which might be expertly given life by the proficient actor/puppeteers, however the story is erratically paced and takes time to heat up, in consequence it steadily falls flat. There’s not sufficient to seize and preserve the eye. Instead there are flashes of pleasure adopted by filler. The music is spinoff and leans closely in direction of the again catalogue of the Sherman Brothers. There are hints of Mary Poppins and Chitty, Chitty Bang Bang in addition to Oliver within the Mockney songs. They act as filler in lots of instances quite than driving the narrative.
The manufacturing’s target market is the very younger theatre-goer (it lacks the attraction for pre-teens and even these heading in direction of double figures). That stated, the peril is frequent and fairly darkish, inflicting a little bit of misery among the many kids close to me within the auditorium. Faye Tozer is relishing each second because the arch villain. Her Cruella could be very merciless: knife wielding, threatening to pores and skin the newborn bundles of fluff alive. There’s additionally a sequence with tiniest pet Button introduced again from the brink of dying that’s a bit heart-wrenching even for the adults.
The forged can’t be faulted and the puppets and their operators are first-class. The design is intelligent and creative but it surely lacks the attraction of the unique materials, in the end leaving you wishing it was a lot extra.
Runs till 16 November 2024 | Image: Contributed
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