REVIEW: 101 Dalmatians The Musical at Newcastle Theatre Royal

101 Dalmatians: The Musical

Theatre Royal Newcastle

Until Sunday 1 September 2024

This funny and endearing show uses delightful puppets and a strong ensemble cast to deliver a tuneful evening of first-rate family entertainment, with Kym Marsh giving full value to one of the most monstrous villains ever to haunt children’s nightmares.

You would struggle to be unaware of Disney’s 101 Dalmatians, given the 1961 film and its live action remake, and sequel. Everyone loves the cuddly animals, of course, but I suspect it is really the outrageous villain, Cruella De Vil who makes the piece memorable. After all, what could be more sinister than planning to skin puppies to make a coat? 

This new musical version steps away from Disney territory and draws on a stage adaptation by distinguished playwright Zinnie Harris of Dodie Smith’s 1956 novel. Music and lyrics are by West End treasure, Douglas Hodge. Anyone who was fortunate enough to see his performance as Albin in La Cage Aux Folles can understand why he won both the Olivier Award and the Tony. As he also premiered the role of Willy Wonka in the London Production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, you can judge that he knows his way round a musical. Based on this show, I’d say he can also write a good song. 

New musicals are tricky for audiences. People tend not to come out singing the songs that they have only just heard that night, unless they are specially designed to be extractable. These songs are melodic and lyrically adept, delivering both entertainment and the emotional heart of the piece.  

The show starts with a scruffy looking dog being abandoned by his owners at the roadside. He is rescued and taken to an animal sanctuary where bathing reveals he is actually a handsome dalmatian, as it gets rid of the smell that had caused the workers to name him Pongo. There is a very amusing scene in which various people come along to adopt dogs that reflect their own personalities, as a cleverly realised array of puppet dogs sing Take Me Home, a theme that is reprised throughout the show.

Pongo is adopted by the wholesome Danielle, portrayed by Emmerdale’s Jessie Elland in an assured musical theatre debut. In the park, they encounter the bumbling but lovable Tom, an out of work fashion designer, winningly played by Samuel Thomas, and his Dalmatian, Perdi. The two dogs hit it off and successfully contrive to get their owners together.

Tom is then offered a commission by the fashion house of De Vil, headed by the demonic Cruella, who decides his design can best be realised using the skins of the Dalmatian puppies Perdi has just realised she is carrying.

Once the 15 puppies are born, however, Danielle and Tom refuse to sell them to her, leading to her bumbling sidekicks, Casper and Jasper, played very amusingly by Charles Brunton and Danny Hendrix, kidnapping the puppies. They bring an almost pantomime quality with their antics, though not out of place in a family show.

This sets the scene for the valiant rescue of the puppies and, of course, the other 85 that Cruella has also stolen, incorporating a society of animals communicating by something called the twilight bark, in a most entertaining sequence. Of course, there is a happy ending but then there had never been any doubt of that.

Johnny McKnight’s script is very funny and good-hearted, keeping the menace to a level that would be perfectly acceptable to small children, whilst keeping up the dramatic tension in a good story arc.

The dogs emerge as real stars through skilful handling of the charming puppets, designed by the inspired Jimmy Grimes, and committed and touching performances by the actors. Particularly effective were Emma Thornett’s Perdi and Linford Johnson’s Pongo, their warm voices blending in some lovely harmonies. The three featured puppies are also given distinct personalities by their clever performers.

Pop star and soap star Kym Marsh is the headliner, of course, as Cruella and she does not disappoint. She has three deliciously over the top numbers and delivers them with gusto, holding the stage in an array of fantastic costumes by Sarah Mercadė. She brings exactly the right balance of villainy and comedy and has a truly satisfying comeuppance.

Other standout moments include a cleverly mounted car sequence and a very funny number in a pub full of villains, featuring a hilariously unexpected cameo, which I won’t spoil. Also, the song A Thousand Kisses in the second act is truly lovely and very affecting.

Throughout, Bill Buckhurst’s slick direction and Lucy Hind’s effective choreography, coupled with David Woodhead’s evocative set designs all give the show a distinct character and charm. The small band does a great job, delivering a big, warm sound under Musical Director Leigh Stanford Thompson.

As the audience reaction made clear in the satisfying curtain call, this is a terrific night’s family entertainment and to my mind, this show must surely now deserve a West End transfer.

Review: Jonathan Cash

Photos: Johan Persson

Tickets:

101 Dalmatians the Musical plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Tuesday 27 August – Sunday 1 September 2024. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.