101 Dalmatians the Musical
★★★☆☆ Canine caper
Playhouse: Tue 19 – Sat 24 Nov 2024
Review by Sophie Good
The new musical version of 101 Dalmatians, bouncing into the Edinburgh Playhouse this week to Saturday, is a treat for puppy-loving children, wrapped up in a doggy adventure based on the well loved classic tale.
There are few children’s stories more iconic than the original book of The Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith and Disney film adaptation from 1961. Both are timelessly charming, and children still seem to have an appetite for the winning combination of puppies and a monochrome villainess.
Linford Johnson (Pongo), Samuel Thomas (Tom), Jessie Elland (Danielle), Emma Thornett (Perdi). Pic: Johan Persson
The new musical adaptation, with a stage adaptation from Edinburgh playwright Zinnie Harris and book by Scottish panto king Johnny McKnight, modernises some elements of the original story. There is no relation to that first animation, Disney’s 1996 live action movie with the fabulous Glenn Close or any of the more recent Dalmatians franchise.
Arriving in Edinburgh is a reimagined version of the Regents Park show from 2022. Fashionista Cruella de Vil attempts to capture all the Dalmatian puppies in town in order to fulfil her blood-thirsty desire for a fabulous new fashion design.
Danielle (Jessie Elland) and Tom (Samuel Thomas) are the hapless couple caught up in Cruella’s evil plot. Despite the update – Tom is now a mild-mannered fashion designer and Danielle works at a dog centre – these two central characters remain somewhat bland, lacking the overt bond and heartfelt connection with their dogs that could have driven a more emotional heart to the human side of the story.
affable charm
Elland, best known for her role as Chloe in Emmerdale, is making her professional musical debut and does so with affable charm and pleasant vocal range – but is not given anything to do that might break some of the stronger gender stereotypes of the premise.
Emma Thornett (Perdi) and Faye Tozer (Cruella de Vil) with Samuel Thomas (Tom). Pic: Matt Crockett
Although 101 Dalmations is trailed as featuring Faye Tozer of Steps fame as Cruella de Vil, the press performance was covered by understudy Rachel Lea-Gray, who is more than capable of taking on this massive villainess role with energy and panto-esque badness.
Cruella poses and cavorts around the stage with an additional back story involving two nephews Jasper (Danny Hendrix) and Casper (Charles Brunton) who definitely feel like they are derivative of McKnight’s panto pedigree. Their Bring Me Fur is an engaging and dramatic number – using David Woodhead’s round-arched stage design to its max and James Whiteside’s moody red lighting to create an atmosphere that certainly makes an impact on the younger audience members.
energy and fun
The central charm and heart of the piece of course lies with the Dalmatians themselves, played by a team of puppeteers who perform the roles with energy and fun. Perdi (Emma Thornett) and Pongo (Linford Johnson) are great leaders of their pack and fully inhabit their canine characters.
The puppetry design and direction from Jimmy Grimes works well, despite often being quite a crowded element for the staging. The loveliest moments are when the puppies take the lead and we get to see more of their individual personalities and especially when the other dog breeds make guest appearances to help spread the message. For dog lovers, it’s a real treat.
Linford Johnson (Pongo), Jessie Elland (Danielle). Pic: Johan Persson
Where many family musicals really thrive is in that space where the humour reaches the adults in the room as well as the kids; and where the plot adds some layer of complexity and character depth which can engage with all ages.
101 Dalmatians doesn’t fully achieve these heights and, despite some funny moments, feels very much like it’s for the kids. The larger-than-life-ness of the baddies and the simplicity of the plot leave no deeper meaning than “Stop Cruella and save the puppies!”.
young reviewer
For our young reviewer (age 7) this was absolutely adequate to entertain and captivate. It was “★★★★☆ Fun & fabulous” she said. The characterisation of Cruella was dark enough without being terrifying, the costumes and general visual spectacle was fun and engaging and the finale was a satisfying dose of cuteness for her age.
Whether it keeps the rest of the family equally as entertained is a greater challenge.
Running time: Two hours and 15 minutes (including one interval)
Playhouse, 18 – 22 Greenside Place, EH1 3AA. Phone booking: 0844 871 3014.
Tue 19 – Sat 23 Nov 2024
Evenings: 7pm; Wed, Sat: 2pm.
Tickets and details: Book here.
Oxford New Theatre, 24-26 George St, Oxford OX1 2AG
Tue 3 Dec – Sat 7 Dec 2024
Evenings: 7pm; Wed, Sat: 2pm.
NB: Kerry Ellis will play Cruella de Vil
Tickets and details: Book here.
Theatre Royal Brighton, New Road, Brighton, BN1 1SD
Tue 17 Dec 2024 – Sun 5 Jan 2025
Various times. Check website for details.
NB: Kerry Ellis will play Cruella de Vil
Tickets and details: Book here.
Jessie Elland (Danielle), Samuel Thomas (Tom) and Company. Pic: Johan Persson.
ENDS
