101 Dalmatians At Milton Keynes Theatre Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Julie Hayward
101 Dalmatians, by Dodie Smith, was the first book I read independently as a child and it gave me a love of books and storytelling. So I was thrilled to be able to go to see the Musical production at Milton Keynes Theatre. Whilst I love the story, having also watched the animation film many times and subsequently seen the live action movies, I did expect that my enthusiasm for it was based on the nostalgia around fond memories of my own and my children’s childhood, I was anticipating a child friendly version. However, from the outset I realised this was a large-scale quality production.
The stage is lit and the musical numbers flow, each one a catchy upbeat tune that takes you into the story of Pongo and Perdi, who are brought to life by Linford Johnson and Emma Thornett respectively, both sing beautiful ballads, giving real depth to their characters. The puppetry is amazing, at times you forget the actors are responsible for the dogs’ actions. Jimmy Grimes is the puppet designer and director, and he must really know how animals move, which is no surprise when I read, he was associate puppet director on the West End production of War Horse. The mannerisms of the dogs and how they interact with each other and the human characters is spot on, so makes the whole experience believable. The dogs have found a home with Tom, Samuel Tomas and Danielle, Jessie Ellard, who is an actress from Emmerdale, this is her debut to a professional musical theatre stage, and she was great in the role.
Every good child’s story needs a ‘baddy’ and that role is filled by Kym Marsh who plays the notorious Cruella De Vil, she is amazing, her voice is powerful and she commands the stage, a superb leading lady, and makes Cruella live up to her name by being really, really, bad!
There is also a lot of humour throughout, both in the lyrics of the songs and the script. With some laugh out loud moments, many of which are by Casper, Charles Brunton, and Jasper, Danny Hendrix, Cruella’s nephews.
The other cast members not only have scenes with the puppets, but they also sing, act and dance, playing multiple roles, I really liked the characterisation’s in ‘The Pub Song’.
The stage, lighting, scenery and special effects are brilliant, letting the story unfold and move easily between locations.
But it is the song writing and its delivery that is phenomenal, the lyrics are so catchy that they will be going around your head for days to come. ‘Animal lover’ performed by Kim Marsh is outstanding.
I can honestly say that I really enjoyed the show and predict that it won’t be long before it is brought to the West End, in London, and will easily hold its own alongside other musicals of the same genre.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £13
101 Dalmatians – The Musical, is at Milton Keynes Theatre from Tues 1st October to Sat 5th October 2024
For more information and to book tickets call 020 7206 1174 or visit www.atgtickets.com
Milton Keynes Theatre, 500 Marlborough Gate, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire MK9 3NZ
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/101-dalmatians/milton-keynes-theatre/?gad_source=1