Theatregoers can spot a rare production of The Hundred and One Dalmatians at Newcastle-under-Lyme’s New Vic theatre.
Adapted and directed by New Vic artistic director Theresa Heskins, the production will sit in the world of Dodie Smith’s 1956 novel, with original swing music performed live by actor-musicians.
Theresa Heskins said, “As soon as I began work on the production I realised why it’s done so rarely. The hundred-plus dogs conjured up in the title are only half the story.
“I hope audiences will be charmed by the ways we’ve untangled this problem.”
The Hundred and One Dalmatians will be brought to life by the creative team behind the New Vic’s A Christmas Carol in 2013, Alice in Wonderland in 2011 and Peter Pan in 2010.
Theresa Heskins added, “It’s so important to me that children’s early experiences of theatre are the best possible, because that will keep people from a wide range of backgrounds coming back to this art form for the rest of their lives.
“A quarter of the New Vic’s visits each year are by children aged 16 and under—a fact of which we’re very proud.
“The great thing about theatre-in-the-round is that audiences feel so much a part of the show, and that’s one of the reasons that young people are so gripped by our work.”
The cast of The Hundred and One Dalmatians features Hannah Edwards, who was in both A Christmas Carol and Alice in Wonderland at the New Vic, as Perdita, Oliver Mawdsley, who was also in A Christmas Carol, as Pongo and Polly Lister, who played Mam in Cooking with Elvis, at Derby Theatre as Cruella De Vil.
Matt Connor, Andy Cryer, Lucy Faint, Anthony Hunt, Elliott Rennie, Sophie Scott, Paschale Straiton, Ali Watt and Christopher McKay complete the ensemble and will be joined by a team of 30 young performers.
The creative team includes composer James Atherton and lighting designer Daniella Beattie.
The Hundred and One Dalmatians runs at the New Vic from Saturday (23 November) until Saturday 1 February.