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
MusicLeslie Bricusse
LyricsLeslie Bricusse
BookLeslie Bricusse
Basis1967 film and the children's books by Hugh Lofting
Productions1998 London
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

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 which starred Schofield, before being replaced by Russ Abbott in the title role.

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.

Further UK tours

2007–08 Bill Kenwright UK tour

In 2007, Bill Kenwright produced a brand new version 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 Music & Lyrics UK tour

A new UK tour presented by Music & Lyrics in association with Churchill Theatre, Bromley will begin from 9 November in Bromley, with dates scheduled until November 2019. Mark Williams will play 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. Williams and Capron will star in the tour until 4 May 2019. Further casting is to be announced.[3][4] The production will be 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 touring production of Doctor Dolittle will close at the end of its run at the New Theatre, Oxford, on Saturday 26 January 2019. The company has cited lower than anticipated advance ticket sales for the reason to cancel the tour.[5]

Cast and characters
Character Original London Cast 2007 UK tour 2018 UK tour
Doctor Dolittle Phillip Schofield Tommy Steele Mark Williams
Emma Fairfax Sarah Jane Hassell Abigail Jaye Mollie Melia-Redgrave
Matthew Muggins Bryan Smyth Conor Michael-Sheridan Patrick Sullivan
Tommy Stubbins James Paul Bradley Joanna Forest Harry Cross

Elliot Morris

Quillan O’Meara McDonald

Louis Parker

Elliott Rose

Thomas Ryan

General Bellowes/Lady Bellowes Peter Cellier Halcro Johnston Adèle Anderson
Albert Blossom John Rawnsley David Anthony Brian Capron
Straight Arrow Peter Gallagher Ako Mitchell
Polynesia Julie Andrews (voice) Debden Clarke

Rebecca Hyland

Vicky Entwistle

Musical numbers

Original London production

2007/8 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.[6]

gollark: I can't do challenges which no longer exist.
gollark: I do. You can NOT DO challenges you dislike.
gollark: Besides, some people are apparently enjoying it, if not you.
gollark: We checked, and a majority of people knew python.
gollark: Anyway, point is that if any language is allowed, people have to be able to know *all* the ones in use to participate to some degree.

References
  1. "Expect a Younger Dr. Dolittle on Stage | Playbill". Playbill. Retrieved 2017-01-22.
  2. "Doctor Dolittle Is Unwell; Touring Musical Will Shutter in PA After Nine Weeks | Playbill". Playbill. Retrieved 2017-01-22.
  3. "Mark Williams to star in Doctor Dolittle in new touring production". Retrieved 2018-06-09.
  4. "Doctor Dolittle UK Tour". britishtheatre.com. Retrieved 2018-02-15.
  5. "Doctor Dolittle UK Tour Cancelled". britishtheatre.com. Retrieved 2019-02-23.
  6. "Doctor Dolittle - World Premiere London Cast Recording by Doctor Dolittle - World Premiere London Cast on Apple Music". iTunes. Retrieved 2017-01-22.
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