Coming to the Midlands this summer, lead casting and creatives of a new musical version of Dodie Smith’s classic book 101 Dalmatians have been announced.

Kym Marsh plays the iconic villain Cruella de Vil in the musical written by Douglas Hodge (music and lyrics) and Johnny McKnight (book), from a stage adaptation by Zinnie Harris. The director is Bill Buckhurst, with sets designed by David Woodhead, costumes designed by Sarah Mercadé and choreography by Lucy Hind. Musical supervision is from Alfonso Casado Trigo, orchestration by Jack Hopkins, the puppets are designed byJimmy Grimes, with lighting by James Whiteside and sound design from Chris Whybrow. The musical director is Leigh Thompson, and casting director is Lucy Casson.

Actor, presenter and singer Kym Marsh arrived on British TV screens back in 2000 appearing on the hit reality TV show Popstars, and winning a place in the subsequent band Hear'say. The band achieved two UK number one singles and a number one album - and Kym went on to pursue a successful career as a solo artist. She went on to star in London’s West End, playing the role of Annette in the critically acclaimed musical Saturday Night Fever. An accomplished actress, she appeared in BBC One’s Doctors and Channel 4’s Hollyoaks: In The City before joining the cast of ITV’s Coronation Street in the role of Michelle Connor in 2006. During 14 years on Britain's famous cobbles, she won a string of prestigious awards for her work before leaving to pursue other roles. Since then she has appeared in hit BBC One drama The Syndicate and currently can be seen on BBC One’s continuing drama Waterloo Road, where she plays the role of Nicky Walters. Her love of theatre has not waned and in 2022 Kym returned to tread the boards in the role of bunny boiler Alex Forest in a nationwide tour of box office hit Fatal Attraction. Last year she joined the cast of Take That musical Greatest Days.

When fashionista Cruella de Vil plots to swipe all the Dalmatian puppies in town to create her fabulous new fur coat, there’s trouble ahead for Pongo and Perdi and their litter of adorable, tail-wagging young pups.

This classic canine caper is brought to life on stage with spectacular puppetry, show-stopping choreography, hilarious songs and irresistible puppies!

101 Dalmatians shows at The Alexandra, Birmingham from Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 July 2024 and Wolverhampton Grand Theatre from Tuesday 20 - Saturday 24 August 2024, with tickets now on sale. Please note, Kym will not be starring in Wolverhampton. Casting to be announced.