So, Thankfully, I was able to see the Evening Production of the "101 Dalmatians" Musical, yesterday, and I can post it was Absolutely AMAZING!
First off, I shall say that the way that they did the Animals was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! The Puppet work of how they did the Dogs and Cats was just Perfect! Most of the time, your eyes were drawn to the Puppets themselves, and they completely sold you on it. Every motion and every gesture, no matter how subtle, was just spot on (no pun intended)!
An intriguing way they did the cats was that they would switch between a Human Performer in a Cat like attire, and a Slinky like Plush. However, they switch between the two quite seemlessly, by having the puppeter turn the cat puppet into the tail of the human performer!
Something that was also fun about the show was the cast. A lot of the time, when the ensemble wasn't on stage, they were part of the Orchestra! So, there were often times, during a full ensemble number, they would come out onto the stage and you see them playing their instruments! It felt like a wonderful way to integrate into the show.
I also do like the character work they do with it, one such case being how Cruella's Reluctant Henchmen, Casper & Jasper do have a Character Arc that plays through the show, as well as one of the Musical numbers being about when Cruella offers to buy the Puppies from the Human Mister (Dominic), and he debates with himself about whether he could truly sell the Puppies, weighing the options.
If I had one critic, it be that not every song is as memorable, however, when a Song is good, it's really good and even then, the Songs in this show are more the bones of the number where the true meat is the performances and staging that the cast gives.
I admit, I was worried about it being in the Open Air Theater in Regents Park, because if it rains, well...you're in trouble.
However, they made really good use of this theater, such as going through the trees when trying to sneak through the countryside.
While the Production itself is not a Disney Adaptation, I shall admit there were several things which did remind me of Disney's adaptations of them.
Firstly, the fact that they follow the Disney idea and, instead of four adult Dalmatians, they make just Pongo & Perdie the Parents. An intriguing change from most adaptations, is that rather than the Mister Human having Pongo, and the Missus Human having Perdita, this time round, Pongo's Human is the Missus (Danielle) and Perdita's is the Mister (Dominic). With the two getting together after the Dalmatians tangle the two together with their leashes.
Another reference to the Disney versions I noticed were, at one point, when Pongo & Perdita go to rescue the Puppies, they tell them to meet up at Cherry Tree Farm, which is where the family move to in "Patch's London Adventure".
There was also a Dalmatian Pup who hadn't got their spots yet, but in this one, they call her Linda, instead of Oddball. Cruella also gets the idea for the Dalmatian coat, after she gets invited to the "Black & White Ball", which I believe was in the "Cruella" Film.
I also noticed some references to "101 Dalmatian Street", such as the Twilight Bark being refered to as the "World Wide Woof", and in this show, Cruella's Reluctant Henchmen, Casper & Jasper are Cruella's Nephews, which gave me some Hunter vibes.
Whether this was intentional homages, or pure coincidence, I can not post for certain, but the program does mention Disney's numerous adaptations, so it's possible it was intentional.
Sandy was in the show...well...one of the Dalmatian Pups was a girl named Button. She mainly fills the role that Cadpig did in the "Novel", or Lucky in the 1961 Film, that being the runt of the litter who almost d!es (though, in this show, it happens as the Dalmatians try to brave a snow storm, rather than being stillborn).
Still, the "101 Dalmatians" Musical was a REALLY Good, with every one involved giving excellent performances, particularly Kate Fleetwood as Cruella, really good choreography, and Perfect Puppet work for the animals!
Definitely worth the watch and a fun time all round!
The show is playing till Sunday, but I do wonder if they'll put this production on again, in the future?