Theatre
101 Dalmatians will leave all entertained, from little ones to… not so little ones. (Contains affiliate links)
Oli Lowe -2nd August 2024
101 Dalmatians have arrived at the Palace Theatre in puppet form, offering family-friendly entertainment, heart warming themes and one EVIL villain.
With extremely impressive production value, ranging from magnificent set pieces to lavish costumes, as well as some of the best puppets I’ve yet to see on stage – 101 Dalmatians will leave all entertained, from little ones to… not so little ones.
I came into this production of 101 Dalmatians in Manchester in quite an interesting position, because if I’m being completely honest, I don’t think I’ve watched any of the movie adaptations or read any versions of the original novel since I was a young child.
So in what is quite a rarity for myself, I was watching a musical in which I hadn’t a clue what was going to happen. This made for a fun and entertaining ride throughout the entire show, although I’m sure those who’re already familiar with the plot will still find as much enjoyment as I did.
The show as a whole was thoroughly spellbinding – offering fantastic ensemble numbers, belly-laugh comedy, a sincere and wholesome plot and as we’ll discuss in a moment, a truly fitting nemesis.
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To highlight individual performances, I’d like to first start with the protagonists of our story. Samuel Thomas as Tom, Jessie Elland as Danielle, Linford Johnson as Pongo and Emma Thornett as Perdi.
These four made a superb litter (little dog based pun for you there), spending the entirety of Act One as a foursome, building up their characters and demonstrating to the audience how important they all are to one another.
Then in Act Two splitting up into their separate human/animal dynamic duos, both venturing on different quests with the sole purpose and saving the 99 other dalmatians.
Special shout-out to Linford, Emma and the other members of the ensemble who throughout the show expertly maneuvered the K9 puppets in such a way that the biggest compliment I could pay them, is to say, that after a while I forgot they were even there.
Now for the grey area between protagonists and villains… Casper and Jasper, portrayed wonderfully by Charles Brunton and Danny Hendrix. This dynamic duo offered constant comic relief and had by far the most fleshed out character arcs of the entire show. Transforming from clueless sidekicks, to misguided villains all the way through to repentful heroes.
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This brings us to the one, the only… Cruella De Ville. Portrayed by Kym Marsh, there was no escaping the fact that she was the person people in the audience were most eager to see. With expectations high and being tasked with taking on the role of such an iconic villain, I’m happy to say that Kym 110% delivered.
With an ominous stage presence, Kym held the audience in the palm of her hand throughout every scene she featured in. Offering up stellar vocals and dance moves to match, she really was the villain the dalmatians needed.
All in all, 101 Dalmatians thrills as it offers big set pieces, flashy musical numbers, terrifying villains, magical puppetry and all out family-friendly entertainment.
The show runs until 10 August and with limited tickets still available, I urge you all to get yourself down to the Palace Theatre in Manchester and enjoy 101 Dalmatians.
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Featured image: Phil Tragen
Theatre
World premiere of A Knight’s Tale The Musical to open in Manchester next yearEmily Sergeant
A brand-new stage adaptation of a beloved early 00s film is set to have its world premiere right here in Manchester.
That’s right – A Knight’s Tale has been turned into a comedy musical.
A Knight’s Tale may be one of Chaucer’s most well-known Canterbury Tales, but for most of us, we tend to be more familiar with Brian Helgeland’s iconic 2001 medieval action comedy film of the same name instead, which of course starred the late great Heath Ledger, alongside Paul Bettany, Rufus Sewell, Mark Addy, and more.
And its the latter that has now been reimagined for modern day and turned into a brand-new comedy stage musical that will charge into Manchester early next year.
From the production team behind recent stage smash-hits including Disney’s Newsies, and 2:22 A Ghost Story, the brand-new A Knight’s Tale The Musical has been adapted for the stage by Irish comedy writer and actor Brona C Titley, directed by the award-winning Rachel Kavanaugh, and choreographed by Olivier Award-winning Matt Cole.
— A Knight’s Tale Musical (@ukknightstale) July 23, 2024MANCHESTER: get ready for a Knight you won’t forget 💘
The brand-new comedy musical A KNIGHT’S TALE (based on the iconic 2001 film) is charging into @PalaceAndOpera for its WORLD PREMIERE from April 2025.
Sign up today to be the first to book: https://t.co/uwdLzyMd32 pic.twitter.com/YweYxiDdqb
It’s gearing up to be a “rip-roaring tale of chivalry, jousting, heroes, and villains”.
Not only that, but just like the popular film, audiences in Manchester are being told to expect a “truly rockin’ soundtrack” that’s packed with chart-topping hits.
Unfamiliar with the premise of the cult-classic film? Ledger plays William Thatcher – a 14th century peasant squire who breaks all the rules when he passes himself off as a nobleman and takes the jousting world by storm. The only thing that stands between Will and his dream of becoming the World Champion of the most extreme of sports, however, is the bad boy of the sport Count Adhemar.
The two rivals then go lance to lance at the world finals, and it’s a pretty epic finale to say the least.
Just like the film, A Knight’s Tale The Musical apparently “has it all”, so you’re invited to join Will Thatcher and his band of merry misfits for “a Knight like no other” when the show takes to the legendary Manchester Opera House stage next April.
“Over 20 years ago, I had the time of my life surrounded by a supreme cast and crew making a film we all fell in love with while we were joyfully making it,” commented Brian Helgeland ahead of the musical’s Manchester debut.
“Sitting at a recent read through of the stage version, I could feel that same joy and love emerging, and I am grateful for the new life they are creating and very eager to see it in all its fully staged glory.”
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A Knight’s Tale The Musical will take to the Manchester Opera House stage on 11 April 2025, and run right through until 10 May 2025, and tickets go on general sale next Thursday 1 August at 10am – with members’ pre-sales running prior.
Grab your tickets when they go live here.
Featured Image – Supplied
Theatre
Huge theatre ticket sale launches with hit shows from just £15Daisy Jackson
Theatre ticket prices have been slashed in a huge sale this week, with big discounts on some of the world’s most famous shows.
The theatre ticket sale includes hit musicals like Heathers, & Juliet, Pretty Woman, Hairspray, Madagascar the Musical, and Jesus Christ Superstar.
Shows such as Blue Man Group, Burlesque the Musical, and Murder On The Orient Express are also included in ATG Tickets’ Summer Saver.
Prices have been slashed as low as £15 a ticket for the special summer sale, which includes more than 100 offers from more than 70 shows.
There are 22 venues taking part in the theatre ticket sale right across the UK, including here in Manchester.
Both the Manchester Opera House and the Palace Theatre will be offering up heavily discounted tickets for hit productions visiting the city this year.
Those include the family favourite stage adaptation of 101 Dalmations, and all-time musical great Grease.
You’ll also be able to nab cheaper tickets for the English National Ballet’s Mary Skeaping’s Giselle.
Brand-new musical NOW That’s What I Call a Musical is including in the Summer Saver theatre ticket sale too.
The show celebrates 40 years of iconic compilation albums, with an unbeatable 80s soundtrack and show-stopping direction and choreography.
A similar flash sale took place back in January, giving theatre fans a chance to snap up cheaper tickets to their favourite shows.
The Summer Saver sale will be running between 22 July and 31 August – you can find out more and buy tickets here.
Manchester musicals included in the theatre ticket sale
- 101 Dalmatians – 30 July-10 August – from £25
- The 13-Storey Treehouse – 15-18 August – from £15
- Burlesque – 3 October-2 November – from £35
- Grease – 8-12 October – from £35
- Fairytale of New York – 26-27 November – from £25
- English National Ballet, Mary Skeaping’s Giselle – 30-31 October – from £25
- NOW That’s What I Call a Musical – 28 January-1 February – from £35
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Featured image: Supplied, Oliver Rosser, Feast Creative
