Casting is complete for the upcoming production of 101 Dalmatians at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre in London, running July 12-August 28. The new musical, with music and lyrics by Douglas Hodge and a book by Johnny McKnight, will star Tony nominee Kate Fleetwood (Macbeth) as the villainous Cruella de Vil.
Directed by Timothy Sheader, the show is based on a stage adaptation by Zinnie Harris and children's novel by Dodie Smith. This new adaptation is separate from both Disney's 1961 animated film and an earlier musical adaptation by BT McNicholl and Dennis DeYoung that toured the U.S. in 2009 starring Rachel York as Cruella.
"We are incredibly excited to finally bring 101 Dalmatians to our stage after postponing the production twice due to the pandemic," shares Sheader. "I think audiences are going to love reconnecting with this favorite story outside in Regent’s Park, the original home of Pongo and Perdi."
Leading pups Pongo and Perdi will be puppeteered by Danny Collins, with Collins voicing Pongo and Emma Lucia lending her vocals Perdi. Pongo and Perdi's heads will be operated by Ben Thompson and Yana Penrose, respectively.
Rounding out the cast is Stuart Angell as Captain (Head), Tom Peters as Captain (Voice), George Bukhari as Jasper, Karen Fishwick as Danielle, Eric Stroud as Dominic, Jonny Weldon as Casper, and Grace Wylde as Madam Doué.
Joining the ensemble is Courtney George, CJ Johnson, Kody Mortimer, Jamil Abbasi, Sonya Cullingford, and Joseph Fletcher. Tash Holway serves as dance captain and swing, alongside swings Taofique Folarin, Simon Oskarsson, and Jade Davies.
The creative team includes lighting design by Howard Hudson, sound design by Nick Lidster, costume design by Katrina Lindsay, music direction by Tarek Merchant, set design by Colin Richmond, choreography by Liam Steel, and musical supervision by Sarah Travis.
In addition to 101 Dalmatians, Open Air Theatre's current season includes a production of Legally Blonde, directed by Six's Lucy Moss.
READ: Lucy Moss to Direct Legally Blonde in London's Regent's Park
For more information, visit OpenAirTheatre.com.
