Alexandra Theatre Birmingham until 6th July
*** The canine puppetry is spot on”
Dodie Smith’s dotty tale of dalmatians has enjoyed a few variations over the years including of course the hugely popular Disney treatment in 1961. This current musical stage production is a reworking of the Regents Park Open Air Theatre production from the summer of 2022. Through all the incarnations the constant is that the dogs remain the stars, and that is certainly true here, the characterisation of the dogs are a delight thanks in no small part to the delightful skills of the puppeteer/actors in particular Emma Thornett as Perdi and Linford Johnson as Pongo. The canine skills stretch not only to speaking but also some rather pleasant singing voices.
A couple of dog lovers meet up in the park and thanks to their dog leads they and indeed their two dalmatians become romantically entwined. Tom played by Samuel Thomas is an up-and-coming fashion designer who is enticed to work for fashionista Cruella De Vil, this it seems may well be financially a wise choice, until Miss De Vil casts her eyes on the new batch of spotted puppies with a view to using them for her latest fashion accessories. The trouble begins. Kym Marsh is having a lot of fun recreating one of the most well-known villains, full of dark depths and sharp humour and a belting voice to go with it.
Her sidekicks Casper and Jasper create the slapstick moments and deliver the rather corny gags with remarkable enthusiasm.Charles Brunton and Danny Hendrix are the comedy duo making the most of the zany humour.
The songs are a little on the thin side and it has to be said not hugely memorable.
The puppetry delivers the believability and is spot on throughout, and will no doubt be a winner for a family audience throughout the summer holidays.
The dogs are waiting for you this week at The Alexandra and then on national tour.
David Robinson
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