The Hundred and One Dalmatians - Production Photographs, 2006
Title
The Hundred and One Dalmatians - Production Photographs, 2006
Date
25 July 2006
Description
Production photographs for The Royal Company production 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.
These production photographs clearly show the design concept for the show. No big furry dog outfits. Instead, costumes relating to the late 1950s/early 60s of the book’s original publication, but with strong canine additions to identify each dog.
Movement specialists were brought into the rehearsal process to assist actors with their dog characterisations.
The set was minimalist – white with large black Dalmatian type spots at the back. This was literally a blank canvas, upon which to tell this exciting family story.
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.
These production photographs clearly show the design concept for the show. No big furry dog outfits. Instead, costumes relating to the late 1950s/early 60s of the book’s original publication, but with strong canine additions to identify each dog.
Movement specialists were brought into the rehearsal process to assist actors with their dog characterisations.
The set was minimalist – white with large black Dalmatian type spots at the back. This was literally a blank canvas, upon which to tell this exciting family story.
Type
Photographs
Location of item
Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham
Rights
Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall Nottingham
Contributor
Researcher: David Longford
