A musical version of Dodie Smith’s much-loved 101 Dalmatians will be the launch production for a packed 2020 season at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre next year.
The first newly commissioned musical from the prestigious venue will be directed by artistic director Timothy Sheader and will feature puppetry designed and directed by Toby Olié.
With a book by Zinnie Harris and music and lyrics by Douglas Hodge, the story of Cruella de Vil and her nefarious plans for a family of cute Dalmatian puppies will come to life in the heart of Regent’s Park from 16 May until 21 June 2020.
The creative team will include set and costume designer Katrina Lindsay, choreographer Liam Steel, musical supervisor and orchestrator Sarah Travis, lighting designer Howard Hudson and musical director Tarek Merchant. Casting is by Jill Green with children’s casting by Verity Naughton.
Sheader will also direct the final offering in the 2020 season, a major new version of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel which will reunite the director with his Jesus Christ Superstar choreographer Drew McOnie.
Based on Hungarian-born writer and director Ferenc Molnar’s play Liliom, Carousel marked the second collaboration between genre legends Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. Premiering on Broadway in 1945, the story of the doomed romance between charismatic carousel worker Billy Bigelow and wholesome millworker Julie Jordan features some of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s best-loved songs including the timeless ‘If I Loved You’ and the inspirational ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.
The 1956 film version starred Gordon MacRae in the role which was originally due to be played by Frank Sinatra opposite Shirley Jones. MacRae and Jones had starred in the previous year’s film version of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s first musical Oklahoma!
Running from 31 July until 19 September, Carousel will be the third major production of the summer 2020 season following Romeo and Juliet (27 June to 25 July) which will be directed by Kimberley Sykes. The season will also include a new 50-minute daytime show from the team behind Dinosaur World Live. Presented by Nicoll Entertainment, the interactive family show, Dragons and Mythical Beasts has been written by Derek Bond who will also direct alongside Laura Cubitt.
Angela Thomas
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