The Hundred and One Dalmatians

Stray Cats Theatre’s production of The Hundred and One Dalmatians was positively received by capacity crowds throughout its short run in Mandurah Performing Arts Centre’s smaller theatre.

Simply staged with a rear platform and carry-on set pieces, it was still a very visual show due to the creativity of the costumes - concepts by Karen Francis and Georgia Turner.

Based on Dodie Smith’s novel, we follow young couple Anita and Roger, who meet while walking their Dalmatians. They fall in love and marry, and in the meantime their dogs fall in love and produce a litter of puppies - soon to be stolen by Anita’s evil employer Cruella de Ville, intent on stealing dozens of Dalmatian puppies in order to produce a Dalmatian fur coat.

The story is well told with a lovely performance from Rhiannon Francis, a sweet and practical Anita, building believable relationship with Alex White’s more intense Roger Dearly. Meg Willis is beautiful as the other leading lady, Dalmatian Perdita, and Hunter Perry is very likable as alternate leading man, the proud papa Pongo. The family’s caring housekeeper, Nanny, is sweetly played by Alexandra Wall, though clearly too young for the role - as the script suggests an older woman. The Dearlys’ other adult Dalmatian, Dot, brought in as a foster parent, is played with panache by Georgia Turner.

Teaghan Lowry was an effective Cruella De Vil, relishing power and cruelty for its own sake.

Very clever animal portrayals abounded. Hayden Alcorn channelled golden retriever energy as Sunny and embodied a Bull Terrier in two very different roles, Amy Elliot created a loveable spaniel. Keely Hockey was delightful as two very different felines. Jessika Kaitlan as Lucky, with fabulous facial expression, led a posse of puppies.

Impossible to mention everyone in this large cast, most of whom doubled in the ensemble - performing dance numbers throughout the show and starting the show with a picturesque tableau of dog-walkers in the park. 

While pace at times could have been a little more slick, it was clear that the audience enjoyed this family entertainment.

Kimberley Shaw