The Hundred and One Dalmatians has become the most popular show in the history of Newcastle-under-Lyme’s New Vic Theatre.
More than 40,000 people—the equivalent of 10% of the north Staffordshire population—will have seen the show by the time it finishes on Saturday (1 February).
A total of 26,000 schoolchildren from 120 schools will have seen the production.
New Vic artistic director Theresa Heskins, who adapted Dodie Smith’s 1956 novel, said, “As soon as we started work on this production I realised why this is a title that’s so rarely seen in theatre. It’s bold, ambitious—and virtually impossible to stage.
“So I’m thrilled that audiences have responded with such enthusiasm to what we’ve done. Seeing so many people, young and old, enchanted by live theatre is inspiring.”