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The Hundred and One Dalmatians - Newspaper Cuttings, 2006

Title

The Hundred and One Dalmatians - Newspaper Cuttings, 2006

Date

21 & 26 July 2006

Description

Nottingham Evening Post preview and review of The Hundred and One Dalmatians, starring Toyah Willcox.

What's the story?

Telling of a kidnapping of a family of dalmatian dogs by the evil Cruella de Vil, The Hundred and One Dalmatians by Dodie Smith was first published in 1956 and became an instant classic.
On the 50th anniversary of its publication, the Royal Company, the Theatre Royal’s community theatre initiative, produced the stage adaptation by Glyn Robbins.
The production was directed by David Longford, the Theatre Royal’s Learning Manager and designed by Lindsey Bradford.
As well as a large-scale community cast of adults and children, playing a variety of dogs and their human ‘owners’, the production starred well-known actor and singer Toyah Willcox as Cruella de Vil. Toyah not only brought some box office kudos to the show, but also created an additional learning component, by enabling the community cast members to work alongside an experienced professional actor.
The company rehearsed for several months, with Toyah joining the show two weeks prior to the first night for a more intensive rehearsal period. It was interesting to see how the company, when now working with a very experienced professional actor, immediately stepped up their own performances, to create a very exciting production.
The Hundred and One Dalmatians was well-received, with professional and community lines being blurred to create excellent performances throughout.

Type

Newspaper cuttings

Location of item

Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham

Rights

Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham

Contributor

Researcher: David Longford