Doctor Dolittle (musical)
Doctor Dolittle is a stage musical with book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, based on the 1967 movie of the same name and the children's stories by Hugh Lofting about the adventures of a doctor who learns to speak the language of various animals and treats them as patients. The musical features the same songs as the film (which starred Rex Harrison, Samantha Eggar, Anthony Newley and Richard Attenborough), including the Academy Award-winning "Talk To The Animals".
| Doctor Dolittle | |
|---|---|
 Original London production flyer | |
| Music | Leslie Bricusse |
| Lyrics | Leslie Bricusse |
| Book | Leslie Bricusse |
| Basis | 1967 film and the children's books by Hugh Lofting |
| Productions | 1998 London 2000 UK tour 2005 US tour 2007 UK tour 2018 UK tour |
The musical made its world premiere in London at the Hammersmith Apollo in 1998, followed by tours of the UK and US.
Productions
Original London production (1998–99) and UK tour (2000-2001)
The world premiere production opened at the Hammersmith Apollo in London on 14 July 1998 starring TV presenter and personality Phillip Schofield in the title role. The role played by Anthony Newley in the film was played by Irish television presenter and actor Bryan Smyth . The production was directed by Steven Pimlott, designed by Mark Thompson, lighting designed by Hugh Vanstone, choreographed by Aletta Collins and featured animal puppets provided by Jim Henson's Creature Shop. The production also featured the pre-recorded voice of Julie Andrews as Polynesia the parrot.
Following his run as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the London Palladium (after replacing Jason Donovan), Doctor Dolittle was Schofield's second stage musical he starred in. Leslie Bricusse stated that the title role would be played by someone younger than Rex Harrison was in the original movie;
"Rex Harrison [who originated the role in the 1968 film] was fabulous, but he was a generation and half older than the leading lady Samantha Eggar. With a younger Dr. Dolittle, the potential of that relationship is much greater."[1]
The production's budget cost £4 million, at the time one of the most expensive musicals ever staged. The production closed on 26 June 1999, having run for almost a year.
It was followed by a UK tour in 2000 and 2001 which also starred Schofield sharing the title role with Paul Nicholas and Russ Abbott.
US National Tour (2005–06)
The show made its American debut on a national tour which began at the Benedum Center in Pittsburg from August 2, 2005. The production starred Tom Hewitt in the title role and was directed by Glenn Casale, scenic designed by Kenneth Foy, costumes designed by Ann Hould-Ward, puppets and magic designed by Michael Curry, and choreography by Rob Ashford. After just 9 weeks of touring, the producers announced that the production would close due to the lack of ticket sales.[2]
Following the early closure of the production, it was announced that nine-time Tony Award Winner, Tommy Tune would direct and star in a revamped version of the tour from January 2006. The rest of the creative team remained the same as the start of the tour. The production was produced by Pittsburgh CLO, Nederlander Presentations, Inc., Independent Presenters Network and Columbia Artists Theatricals.
2007–08 UK tour
In 2007, Bill Kenwright produced a brand new production of the musical starring Tommy Steele in the title role which toured the UK until 2008. The production was directed by Bob Tomson, designed by Paul Farnsworth and choreographed by Karen Bruce. This production was a revised version with many changes to the book and musical numbers.
2018–19 UK tour
A new UK tour presented by Music & Lyrics opened at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley on 9 November 2018. Mark Williams played the title role alongside Brian Capron as Blossom / Straight Arrow, Vicky Entwistle as Polynesia, Mollie Melia-Redgrave as Emma Fairfax and Patric Sullivan as Matthew Muggins. The production was directed by Christopher Renshaw, designed by Tom Piper, choreographed by Josh Rhodes with musical supervision by Mike Dixon.
On 11 January 2019, Music & Lyrics Productions announced that the tour would close at the end of its run at the New Theatre, Oxford on Saturday 26 January 2019 despite initially announced dates until November 2019. The company has cited lower than anticipated advance ticket sales for the reason to cancel the tour.[3]
Cast and characters
| Character | Original London Cast | 2000/1 UK tour | 2007/8 UK tour | 2018/19 UK tour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doctor Dolittle | Phillip Schofield | Phillip Schofield | Tommy Steele | Mark Williams |
| Emma Fairfax | Sarah Jane Hassell | Liza Pulman
Kathleen Shueppert |
Abigail Jaye | Mollie Melia-Redgrave |
| Matthew Muggins | Bryan Smyth | David Ganly
Jimmy Johnston |
Conor Michael-Sheridan | Patrick Sullivan |
| Tommy Stubbins | James Paul Bradley | Steven Fitton
Joshua Ellis-Barnard Jamie Finch |
Joanna Forest | Harry Cross
Elliot Morris Quillan O’Meara McDonald Louis Parker Elliott Rose Thomas Ryan |
| General Bellowes | Peter Cellier | George Little | Halcro Johnston | Adèle Anderson |
| Albert Blossom | John Rawnsley | David Anthony | Brian Capron | |
| Straight Arrow | Peter Gallagher | Sam Mancuso | Ako Mitchell | |
| Polynesia | Julie Andrews (voice) | Julie Andrews (voice)
Ronnie Le Drew (puppet) |
Debden Clarke
Rebecca Hyland |
Vicky Entwistle |
Musical numbers
Original London production
|
|
2007/08 UK touring production
|
|
Cast recording
The original London cast recording starring Phillip Schofield was released on 1 October 1998 by Exalshallow Ltd, featuring 22 tracks.[4]
References
- "Expect a Younger Dr. Dolittle on Stage | Playbill". Playbill. Retrieved 2017-01-22.
- "Doctor Dolittle Is Unwell; Touring Musical Will Shutter in PA After Nine Weeks | Playbill". Playbill. Retrieved 2017-01-22.
- "Doctor Dolittle UK Tour Cancelled". britishtheatre.com. Retrieved 2019-02-23.
- "Doctor Dolittle - World Premiere London Cast Recording by Doctor Dolittle - World Premiere London Cast on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved 2017-01-22.