Further details have been announced about the cast for the UK tour of Doctor Dolittle, which opens at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley this November.
The story of Doctor Dolittle is set to return to the stage before embarking on a year-long UK tour running until November 2019. The play will visit 22 venues including Nottingham, Milton Keynes, Glasgow, Birmingham, Sheffield and London.
Based on the 1967 film featuring Rex Harrison, the new stage production features Mark Williams as Doctor Dolittle. Mark William’s previous screen credits include The Borrowers, 101 Dalmations, Shakespeare in Love and seven of the Harry Potter films.
He will be joined by Fascinating Aïda’s star Adèle Anderson who will play Lady Bellowes/Poison Arrow at Bromley, Salford, Oxford, Wolverhampton, Newcastle and Hull.
Starring alongside them is Brian Capron (Albert Blossom/Straight Arrow), Vicky Entwisle (Polynesia), Mollie Melia-Redgrave (Emma Fairfax) and Patrick Sullivan (Matthew Mugg). Mark Williams and Brian Capron will play the first ten venues of the tour. Vicky Entwistle, Mollie Melia-Redgrave and Patrick Sullivan will play the entire tour.
Doctor Dolittle synopsis
The play follows Doctor Dolittle as he embarks on an adventure to find the Giant Pink Sea Snail that holds the secret of life. Aided by his human companions and a collection of exotic animal friends, the eccentric doctor will teach the audience not only to talk to animals but to listen to them too. Featuring an array of animals including the Pushmi-Pullyu and Polynesia the parrot, the play will be a family-friendly production.
The production
The new production is part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the original 1967 film starring Rex Harrison and will feature the same songs as the film, alongside visual puppetry.
Doctor Dolittle will be directed by Christopher Renshaw and produced by Music & Lyrics Limited, the producers of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Book, music and lyrics are by double Academy Award-winner Leslie Bricusse with choreography by Josh Rhodes, puppet direction by Jimmy Grimes and sound by Ben Harrison.
Selected UK 2019 tour dates
Nottingham Theatre Royal: 9th – 20th April
Sheffield Lyceum Theatre: 23rd April – 4th May
Glasgow’s King’s Theatre: 23rd July – 3rd August
New Wimbledon Theatre, London: 17th – 28th September
Milton Keynes Theatre: 8th – 19th October
Birmingham Hippodrome: 22nd October – 2nd November
For more information, visit www.doctordolittlemusical.com.
Image: Adele Anderson
