Wicked Star Kerry Ellis Will Join U.K. and Ireland Tour of 101 Dalmatians Musical

West End musical theatre star Kerry Ellis, seen as Elphaba in both the London and Broadway productions of Wicked, will join the current U.K. and Ireland tour of 101 Dalmatians The Musical this winter.

Ellis, also seen in London's We Will Rock You, Oliver!, Anything Goes, and more, will step into the role of Cruella de Vil for the tour's final engagements: at the New Theatre Oxford (December 3–7) and Brighton Theatre Royal (December 17–January 5, 2025). She will follow fellow Cruellas, Kym Marsh and Faye Tozer, who share the role in this production.

Directed by Bill Buckhurst, this new musical version of 101 Dalmatians is reimagined from a 2022 Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production.

The cast also includes Charles Brunton as Casper, Jessie Elland as Danielle, Danny Hendrix as Jasper, Linford Johnson as Pongo, Samuel Thomas as Tom, and Emma Thornett as Perdi plus ensemble members Ross Dorrington, Benjamin Durham, Benedict Hastings, Lottie Johnson, Rachel Lea-Gray, Tom Norman, Hugo Rolland, Lindo Shinda, and Jasmine Triadi. Swings are Victoria Compson-Bradford and Eugene Shire.

The musical version of Dodie Smith's classic book—featuring music and lyrics by Douglas Hodge and a book by Johnny McKnight, from a stage adaptation by Zinnie Harris—follows fashionista Cruella de Vil, who plots to swipe all the Dalmatian puppies in town to create her fabulous new fur coat.

The production also has sets by David Woodhead, costumes by Sarah Mercadé, choreography by Lucy Hind, musical supervision by Alfonso Casado Trigo, orchestrations by Jack Hopkins, puppet design by Jimmy Grimes, lighting by James Whiteside, and sound design by Chris Whybrow. The musical director is Leigh Thompson, and the casting director is Lucy Casson.

The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre production of101 Dalmatians starred Olivier and Tony nominee Kate Fleetwood as Cruella de Vil. Timothy Sheader directed with choreography and movement direction by Liam Steel and musical supervision and orchestrations by Sarah Travis. Read the reviews here.

This new adaptation is separate from both Disney's 1961 animated film and an earlier musical adaptation by BT McNicholl and Dennis DeYoung that toured the U.S. in 2009 starring Rachel York as Cruella.

For the current during itinerary, visit 101Dalmatians.co.uk.