101 Dalmatians at Tobacco Factory Theatres Review

 

 

It’s a heart warming story from Tobacco Factory Theatres this Christmas. As usual, their magical partnership with Travelling Light, creates arguably the best theatre in the city this time of year.

For Christmas 2014/15, we have 101 Dalmatians brought to life with a delightful ensemble cast featuring old favourites Saikat Ahamed, Felix Hayes and Lucy Tuck with Factory newcomers Carla Mendonca and Tristan Sturrock.

Set in the 50s, when Dodie Smith penned her original story, the actors nip rapidly between the various characters of dogs, baddies and The Dearlys. As they do so, the audience are thoroughly entertained with the Travelling Light brand of humour, storytelling and music.

 

 

Owners looking like their dogs is at the heart of the relationship between mathematician couple and equals Mr and Mrs Dearly who in turn are their own dogs Pongo and Perdita.

Best moment for us has to be when Pongo and Perdita watch with wonder their peaceful newborn sleeping puppies, to suddenly blast us some weeks on into a house of chaos with dogs everywhere, playing up like young children, and Lucy Tuck having an all too familiar Vesuvius moment that mothers will identify with.

 

Barely a moment goes by without laugh-out-loud moments to make the face ache by the interval.

It could be at Felix Hayes as Clarabel the Cow, or Tristan and Lucy embracing those charming dog-at-park moments as Pongo and Perdita.

But that’s not to say it’s all about the laughs. There are thrilling moments during the puppies’ get-away and touching moments when the Dearlys try to save a Dalmatian pup that didn’t make it. Ultimately, the story is about the desperate plight of parents – albeit dogs –  whose precious children have not only been stolen, but are going to be killed.

For those who may remember the inventive way Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves was brought to life in the same theatre a few Christmases ago, similarly exciting techniques are employed by the company to fill the stage with 101 Dalmatians. A mixture of actors as dogs, puppets and tens of hand knitted dalmatian toys.

The show is suitable for families with children from around seven years and upwards. It’s a two-hour show including interval. The pace is perfect and there is never a dull moment.

101 Dalmatians is funny, clever, entertaining and ultimately, uplifting. What more could you want from Christmas theatre.

10/10

On now and running until 11 January 2015

To book, phone the Box Office on: 0117 902 0344

or visit: www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com