The forthcoming U.K. and Ireland tour of the musical version of Dodie Smith's classic book 101 Dalmatians will have two actors sharing the role of Cruella de Vil.
As previously reported, Coronation Street star Kym Marsh, who played Annette in the London production of Saturday Night Fever, will open the tour as Cruella June 22–29 at the New Wimbledon Theatre and subsequently play dates in Birmingham, Manchester, Belfast, Newcastle, Southend, Dublin, Liverpool, Milton Keynes, Woking, Cardiff, Southampton, Aberdeen, and York.
The production announced May 1 that actor and pop icon Faye Tozer will play Cruella in Norwich, Canterbury, Leicester, and Wolverhampton. Directed by Bill Buckhurst, this new musical version of 101 Dalmatians is reimagined
from the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production in 2022. Additional casting will be announced.
Tozer, probably best known for BRIT Award-winning pop band Steps, said in a statement, “I’m going into my wicked era with this dream role—it really doesn’t get much better than Cruella de Vil! When they offered me the part, I just jumped at the chance. I love that it’s something people probably don’t expect me to do and can’t wait to create my own version of her for this incredible new musical.”
With music and lyrics by Douglas Hodge and a book by Johnny McKnight, from a stage adaptation by Zinnie Harris, the musical follows fashionista Cruella de Vil, who plots to swipe all the Dalmatian puppies in town to create her fabulous new fur coat.
The upcoming production will also have sets by David Woodhead, costumes by Sarah Mercadé, choreography by Lucy Hind, musical supervision by Alfonso Casado Trigo, orchestrations by Jack Hopkins, puppet design by Jimmy Grimes, lighting by James Whiteside, and sound design by Chris Whybrow. The musical director is Leigh Thompson, and the casting director is Lucy Casson.
The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of101 Dalmatians starred Olivier and Tony nominee Kate Fleetwood as Cruella de Vil. Timothy Sheader directed with choreography and movement direction by Liam Steel and musical supervision and orchestrations by Sarah Travis. Read the reviews here.
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.
For the current during itinerary, visit 101Dalmatians.co.uk.
