Coronation Street star Kym Marsh has announced her new leading role as Cruella de Vil in 101 Dalmatians the musical.
Written by Douglas Hodge, whose acting credits include Joker, Catastrophe and The Great, from Zinnie Harris's stage adaptation of Dodie Smith's classic book, the story sees twisted fashionista Cruella plotting to turn Dalmatian puppies into a fur coat.
Launching at the New Wimbledon Theatre on June 22, where it runs for a week, the show will then travel to cities including Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Dublin, Liverpool, Cardiff and Aberdeen. A full list of confirmed tour dates follows at the end of this article.
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"I'm over the moon to be joining the cast of 101 Dalmatians playing the iconic Cruella De Vil, has there ever been a more fabulous baddie?!" said Marsh in a statement.
"Obviously she's a million miles away from me in real life – and my dogs are very glad about that – but being able to bring to life my take on this renowned character is a real treat.
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"Douglas and Johnny [McKnight] have written this brilliant new musical filled with songs I'm already finding myself humming under my breath," Marsh continued.
"The 101 Dalmatians story spans generations and I'm sure young and old alike will absolutely love this production."
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The Waterloo Road and Strictly Come Dancing favourite is in prestigious company playing the character Cruella, following Emma Stone and Glenn Close's beloved big-screen incarnations.
Speaking to Vanity Fair about her portrayal of the iconic villain, Close revealed of her inspiration: "I had grown [up] with great Disney animated features. I was very aware of the value of witches in fairytales... To be asked to be a Disney witch, which is what Cruella is, was thrilling to me.
"I had a wonderful vocal coach for Cruella, and I loved Joanna Lumley's accent in Absolutely Fabulous. My coach knows her, and she had that very clipped way of talking."
The 101 Dalmatians musical originally premiered in London in summer 2022, with The Wheel of Time's Kate Fleetwood as Cruella.
101 Dalmatians' UK and Ireland tour will call at the following venues:
Note: Kym Marsh is currently scheduled to perform at all venues except Norwich, Canterbury, Leicester, Wolverhampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Oxford and Brighton.
• June 22-29: New Wimbledon Theatre, London Tickets
• July 2-6: The Alexandra, Birmingham Tickets
• July 9-13: Theatre Royal, Norwich Tickets
• July 16-20: Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury Tickets
• July 23-27: Curve, Leicester Tickets
• July 30-August 10: Palace Theatre, Manchester Tickets
• August 13-17: Grand Opera House, Belfast Tickets
• August 20-24: Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton Tickets
• August 27-September 1: Theatre Royal, Newcastle Tickets
• September 5-8: Cliffs Pavilion, Southend Tickets
• September 17-21: Gaiety Theatre, Dublin Tickets
• September 24-28: Empire, Liverpool Tickets
• October 1-5: Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes Tickets
• October 8-12: New Victoria Theatre, Woking Tickets
• October 15-19: New Theatre, Cardiff Tickets
• October 22-26: Mayflower Theatre, Southampton Tickets
• October 29-November 2: His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen Tickets
• November 5-9: Grand Opera House, York Tickets
• November 12-16: King's Theatre, Glasgow Tickets
• November 19-23: Playhouse, Edinburgh Tickets
• December 3-7: New Theatre, Oxford Tickets
• December 17-January 5: Theatre Royal, Brighton Tickets
