Making the jump from page to stage can be a tricky transition but with musical theatre legend Kerry Ellis at the helm there were certainly no concerns from us.
The musical version of 101 Dalmatians bounded onto Oxford’s New Theatre stage last night and was a sensational hit.
Based on Dodie Smith’s beloved novel, 101 Dalmatians tells the story of fashion-obsessed Cruella de Vil and her sidekicks, Jasper and Horace, who hatch a plot to steal the Dalmatian puppies of London and turn them into a fabulous fur coat. Among these pups are Pongo and Perdita’s adorable litter. Can anyone stop the evil Cruella?
This really is a fabulous show for children (and there were plenty in the audience); with its early start (7pm) and finish (9.05pm including an interval), there’s no excuse for not to visit during the week. The puppetry was nothing short of magical, the show was fast-paced keeping the audience enthralled from beginning to end.
Of course, no production of 101 Dalmatians would be complete without the iconic Cruella de Vil, and Ellis delivered an extraordinary performance. She fully embodied the villainous character, with her wickedly brilliant lines and sharp put-downs. In one moment, she quipped about her late sister: “Her last words were beep, beep, beeeeeeeeeep.” And reflecting on her childhood, she offered a glimpse into Cruella’s psyche: “Be nice to her, Cruella; play with her, Cruella; take the pillow off her face, Cruella.”
Ellis’ portrayal of Cruella was complemented perfectly by her hilarious nephews, Casper (played by Charles Brunton) and Jasper (played by Danny Hendrix). Their playful interactions with the villain had the audience in stitches, especially with lines like, “I’ve got a lanyard—I can be trusted,” and Jasper’s response to Cruella’s remark, “Did you see that on the car? It was a vision straight from hell!” with “Was it a mirror?”
The show’s spectacular puppetry brought the dogs to life with impressive realism and attention to detail. The movements, mannerisms, and expressions of the puppet dogs, particularly Pongo (played by Linford Johnson) and Perdi (played by Emma Thornett), were exceptional, giving the animals an authenticity that was truly heart-warming.
There’s still time to see this fabulous show, it’s at the New Theatre until Saturday. For more information and tickets view https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/101-dalmatians/new-theatre-oxford/
Review Score: 4.5/5
Overall, this production of 101 Dalmatians is an exceptional family show filled with laughs, magical puppetry, and larger-than-life performances. Kerry Ellis steals the show as Cruella, and the entire cast delivers a performance that’s sure to leave audiences of all ages delighted
Age Recommendation: 5+.
Cast
- Cruella de Vil: Queen of the West End Kerry Ellis in the iconic role of the villainous fashionista, renowned for her leading roles in West End and Broadway productions, including Wicked and Cats.
- Casper: Charles Brunton, whose credits include Matilda (West End and Broadway) and Disney’s Bedknobs and Broomsticks.
- Jasper: Danny Hendrix, known for his work in The Book of Mormon (West End) and The Lion King (UK Tour).
- Pongo: Linford Johnson, who has appeared in The Lion King (West End) and The Book of Mormon (UK Tour).
- Perdita: Emma Thornett, with credits including The Lion King (West End) and The Book of Mormon (UK Tour).
- Danielle: Jessie Elland, recognized for her role in Emmerdale (ITV).
- Tom: Samuel Thomas, known for his appearances in Coronation Street (ITV).
- Ensemble: The production also features a dynamic ensemble cast, including Victoria Compson-Bradford (Swing), Ross Dorrington (Ensemble & Dance Captain), Benjamin Durham (Ensemble), Lottie Johnson (Ensemble), Rachel Lea-Gray (Ensemble), Tom Norman (Ensemble & Puppet Captain), Hugo Rolland (Ensemble), Lindo Shinda (Ensemble), Eugene Shire (Swing), and Jasmine Triadi (Ensemble).
UK Tour
The 101 Dalmatians The Musical UK tour will continue its run at Theatre Royal Brighton from 17th December 2024 to 5th January 2025.
