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REVIEW | 101 Dalmatians The Musical, Hammersmith Eventim Apollo - London
- Harry Brogan
- Jul 26
- 3 min read
AD | Ticket gifted in exchange of an honest review
The Hammersmith Eventim Apollo was buzzing with fans dressed in black and white spotted outfits, excited to watch another rendition of 101 Dalmatians: The Musical based on Dodie Smith's beloved 1956 story. The 2024 touring production has returned to the stage in London, featuring updates and new scenes. Many cast members are reprising their roles, with Sydnie Christmas taking on the iconic character of Cruella De Vil. The production is directed by Bill Buckhurst, with book by Johnny McKnight and Puppetry Design/Director by Jimmy Grimes.
The plot closely follows the story you may remember from the 1961 Disney movie. It begins with the iconic and charming encounter between Tom (Samuel Thomas) and Danielle (Laura Baldwin) as their leashes entangle, they fall in love, and of course, so do their respective canine companions, Perdi (Emma Thornett) and Pongo (Linford Johnson). We follow them as they build a happy life, then suddenly expanding their family with 15 more adorable little puppies during the number “One Added Extra” in which Thomas & Baldwin’s and Thornett & Johnson’s voices blend beautifully together.
However, chaos ensues when Cruella De Vil enters the scene on the notes of “Animal Lover” singing about her love for animal leather, and her want, actually a desperate need for a fashionable coat made from Dalmatian puppy fur, inspired by Tom's fashion design sketches. When the quirky couple doesn’t want to give the dogs up, it leads Cruella to task her hilariously incompetent nephews, Casper (Jeff Brazier) and Jasper (Aston Merrygold), with kidnapping not just 15 puppies, but as many as they can… spoiler, 101!
The set design, by David Woodhead, and costume design, by Sarah Mercadé, do help create a colourful and vibrant world to Zinnie Harris' stage adaptation, keeping the cartoonish feel of the story in the best way from Danielle’s cosy apartment to Cruella’s hellish dungeon-like residence.
In this production of 101 Dalmatians, the animals on stage are operated by the cast, who not only portray their human roles but also serve as puppeteers for the litter of puppies, stray dogs, and cats that we encounter throughout the story. Emma Thornett and Linford Johnson bring the furry protagonists, Perdi and Pongo, to life as their puppeteers.
Compared to previous productions, the puppets in this version elevate the emotional range, showcasing wagging tails, floppy ears, and subtle movements. However, during the emotional song "A Thousand Kisses," the presence of the puppeteers can feel somewhat intrusive, as five people crowd a small portion of the stage alongside five puppets. The puppy puppets (say that 3 times!), while charming, often lack the detail needed to convey the depth of emotion that the heavier plot points require, making it necessary for the audience to shift their focus between the puppets and their handlers. Although Emma Thornett still manages to shine as Perdi with her powerful and emotive singing, depicting a strong and resilient character who is determined to save all her puppies… unlike the character Pongo, who disappointingly is willing to abandon one to save the rest of the litter.
101 Dalmatians appears to be aimed at a younger audience, with characters that feel more like caricatures than fully developed individuals. Tom and Danielle are portrayed as infatuated lovers, preoccupied with their dogs and not much else going on. Meanwhile, Casper and Jasper reluctantly comply with every command from their Aunt Cruella, attempting to provide comic relief which sometimes lands but often feels straight out of a pantomime, with many cringeworthy millennial one-liners. Sydnie Christmas captures Cruella's character perfectly, making her seem not only villainous but also slightly unhinged, as she showcases her powerful voice in several solo performances.
Overall, 101 Dalmatians: The Musical is a lively, family-friendly production featuring some strong performances and lots of charm. While it’s a fun 2 hours and 20 minutes for younger audiences, some of the humour feels forced and overly silly for adults, and there’s just so much barking! It's an enjoyable watch, entertaining in the moment but not especially memorable. You might find yourself checking out the soundtrack afterwards, or just moving on and forgetting it entirely.
★★★.5
101 Dalmatians the Musical is playing at the Hammersmith Eventim Apollo until the 30th August 2025
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