101 Dalmations The Musical

With such a well loved and crafted book by Dodi Smith and two Disney films there is a level of expectation and prior knowledge of the story that is tricky to live up to. But this is not this show’s first production, following on from success at Regent’s Park Theatre this touring production was created and is now having an extended run at the Eventim Apollo.

Here is its first problem. The Apollo is an ‘air-hanger’ of a theatre and great for concerts, but very few shows have gained success there. This production suffers a similar fate. The stage is so vast that the clever and versatile set by David Woodhead covers only a part and looks a little lost.

This production veers to far towards Pantomime. With little subtlety in the characterisations. The songs and book by Douglas Hodge and Jonny McKnight are catchy enough, but often so speedily delivered that you miss words and yearn for a more heart felt number. When this does happen in Act 2 with....it is a little too late.

On an extremely impressive note, casting Sydnie Christmas as Cruella De Vil was a winning choice. Her vocals are pitch perfect and has such power that the whole production gets its spots blown off it when she is on stage. I’m sure we will see more of her in musicals for many years to come. Here rendition of ‘Fur Fur’ lifted the roof.

As her side-kick nephews Jasper and Casper, Aston Merrygold and Jeff Brazier will be familiar faces but they lack the comedic timing and the funny bones necessary to make them more than two dimensional. And as the doggy parents Samuel Thomas as Tom and Laura Baldwin as Danielle are as lovely as they should be, but lacking in the some of the fight and vocal dexterity that they need to compete with Cruella.

Undoubtedly, and quite rightly the dogs are the stars of this production with puppets designed directed by Jimmy Grimes and manipulated by the cast. Including the leading characters of Pongo and Perdi and a plethora of other canines plus one very spikey cat. Unfortunately, due to the size and layout of the theatre children and adults alike are craning around heads to catch the action that is mainly at stage level. Or are so far back they miss the lovely puppetry work.

This is a musical that had all the promise and only delivers in parts. But, maybe with dogged determination and time to settle, the show will grow and earn it’s spots.