101 Dalmatians | Short Review

This reworked version of the 2022 Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production has a certain puppy-dog charm. Kym Marsh has a lot of fun as pooch-hating villainess Cruella De Vil and David Woodhead’s circular, dog collar-shaped set and Sarah Mercadé’s colourful, cartoon-like costumes provide plenty to draw the eye. 

But Johnny McKnight’s workmanlike book is both too indebted to the classic 1961 Disney animation while sometimes straining too hard at the leash to be different from it. The best moments come when the stage is filled with Jimmy Grimes’s endearingly characterful canine puppets, winningly brought to life by the talented ensemble.  

PRODUCTION CREDITS

101 Dalmatians by Douglas Hodge (music, lyrics) and Johnny McKnight (book), Zinnie Harris (stage adaptation), based on The Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith

Manchester Palace Theatre, 31 July 2024

Starring Kym Marsh, Samuel Thomas, Jessie Elland, Charles Brunton, Danny Hendrix, Linford Johnson, Emma Thornett et al

Directed by Bill Buckhurst

101 Dalmatians is touring the UK until 5 January 2025 – for more information and tickets, visit 101dalmatians.co.uk. Kym Marsh shares the role of Cruella De Vil with Faye Tozer and Kerry Ellis. You can read Claire Allfree's interview with Kerry Ellis in our current issue and see our news story here.

You can read our full review in the October issue of Musicals magazine out on 27 September consider subscribing today!