''Doctor Dolittle'' is a

stage musical Musical theatre is a form of theatrical performance that combines songs, spoken dialogue, acting and dance. The story and emotional content of a musical – humor, pathos, love, anger – are communicated through words, music, movement ...

with book, music and lyrics by

Leslie Bricusse Leslie Bricusse OBE (; 29 January 1931 – 19 October 2021) was a British composer, lyricist, and playwright who worked on theatre musicals and wrote theme music for films. He was best known for writing the music and lyrics for the films ''Do ...

, based on the 1967 movie of the same name and the children's stories by

Hugh Lofting Hugh John Lofting (14 January 1886 – 26 September 1947) was an English American writer trained as a civil engineer, who created the classic children's literature character Doctor Dolittle. The fictional physician to talking animals, based in a ...

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 Sir Reginald Carey "Rex" Harrison (5 March 1908 – 2 June 1990) was an English actor. Harrison began his career on the stage in 1924. He made his West End debut in 1936 appearing in the Terence Rattigan play ''French Without Tears'', in what ...

Samantha Eggar Victoria Louise Samantha Marie Elizabeth Therese Eggar (born 5 March 1939) is a retired British-American actress. After beginning her career in Shakespearean theatre she rose to fame for her performance in William Wyler's thriller '' The Collec ...

Anthony Newley Anthony Newley (24 September 1931 – 14 April 1999) was an English actor, singer, songwriter, and filmmaker. A "latter-day British Al Jolson", he achieved widespread success in song, and on stage and screen. "One of Broadway's greatest leading ...

and

Richard Attenborough Richard Samuel Attenborough, Baron Attenborough, (; 29 August 192324 August 2014) was an English actor, filmmaker, and entrepreneur. He was the president of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and the British Academy of Film and Televisio ...

), including the

Academy Award The Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, are awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international film industry. The awards are regarded by many as the most prestigious, significant awards in the entertainment ind ...

-winning "

Talk To The Animals "Talk to the Animals" is a song written by British composer Leslie Bricusse. Written for the 1967 film ''Doctor Dolittle'', it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 40th Academy Awards. It was performed in the film by Rex Harrison ...

". The musical made its world premiere in

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

at the

Hammersmith Apollo The Hammersmith Apollo, currently called the Eventim Apollo for sponsorship reasons, and formerly known as the Hammersmith Odeon, is a live entertainment performance venue, originally built as a cinema called the Gaumont Palace. Located in Ham ...

in 1998, followed by tours of the UK and US.

Productions

Original London production (199899) 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 Phillip Bryan Schofield (born 1 April 1962) is an English television presenter who works for ITV. He is currently the co-presenter of ITV's '' This Morning'' (2002–present) and ''Dancing on Ice'' (2006–2014, 2018–present) alongside Holly ...

in the title role. The role played by Anthony Newley in the film was played by Irish television presenter and actor

Bryan Smyth Bryan Smyth is an Irish singer, television presenter, actor, and artist. He was born in Dublin, Ireland. Biography Smyth came to light as a singer at a young age; as a boy soprano he found himself in demand in many churches in Dublin. He s ...

. The production was directed by

Steven Pimlott Steven Charles Pimlott (18 April 1953 – 14 February 2007) was an English opera and theatre director, whose obituary in ''The Times'' hailed him as "one of the most versatile and inventive theatre directors of his generation". His output ran the ...

, designed by Mark Thompson, lighting designed by

Hugh Vanstone Hugh Vanstone (born 8 August 1965) is one of the UK’s foremost lighting designers. He has lit more than 160 productions, working in all spheres of live performance lighting, as well as exhibitions and architectural projects. His career has take ...

, choreographed by Aletta Collins and featured animal puppets provided by

Jim Henson's Creature Shop Jim Henson's Creature Shop is a special/visual effects company founded in 1979 by puppeteer Jim Henson, creator of The Muppets. The company is based out of Burbank, California, United States. History Jim Henson's Creature Shop was originally ...

. The production also featured the pre-recorded voice of

Julie Andrews Dame Julie Andrews (born Julia Elizabeth Wells; 1 October 1935) is an English actress, singer, and author. She has garnered numerous accolades throughout her career spanning over seven decades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Fi ...

as Polynesia the parrot. Following his run as Joseph in ''

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat ''Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'' (often colloquially known as ''Joseph'') is a sung-through musical with lyrics by Tim Rice and music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, based on the character of Joseph from the Bible's Book of Genesis. Thi ...

'' at the

London Palladium The London Palladium () is a Grade II* West End theatre located on Argyll Street, London, in the famous area of Soho. The theatre holds 2,286 seats. Of the roster of stars who have played there, many have televised performances. Between 1955 an ...

(after replacing

Jason Donovan Jason Sean Donovan (born 1 June 1968) is an Australian actor and singer. He initially achieved fame in the Australian soap ''Neighbours'', playing Scott Robinson, before beginning a career in music in 1988. In the UK he has sold over 3 mi ...

), ''Doctor Dolittle'' was Schofield's second stage musical he starred in.

stated that the title role would be played by someone younger than

was in the original movie;

"
Rex Harrison Sir Reginald Carey "Rex" Harrison (5 March 1908 – 2 June 1990) was an English actor. Harrison began his career on the stage in 1924. He made his West End debut in 1936 appearing in the Terence Rattigan play ''French Without Tears'', in what ...
ho originated the role in the 1968 filmwas fabulous, but he was a generation and half older than the leading lady
Samantha Eggar Victoria Louise Samantha Marie Elizabeth Therese Eggar (born 5 March 1939) is a retired British-American actress. After beginning her career in Shakespearean theatre she rose to fame for her performance in William Wyler's thriller '' The Collec ...
. With a younger Dr. Dolittle, the potential of that relationship is much greater."

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 Paul Nicholas (born Paul Oscar Beuselinck; 3 December 1944) is an English actor and singer. He started out with a pop career, but soon changed to musical theatre, playing the lead role in ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' at the West End’s Palace T ...

and

Russ Abbot Russ Abbot (born Russell Allan Roberts; 18 September 1947) is an English musician, comedian and actor. Born in Chester, he first came to public notice during the 1970s as the singer and drummer with British comedy showband the Black Abbots, la ...

US National Tour (200506)

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 Ann Hould-Ward (born April 8, 1954, in Glasgow, Montana)Biography and credits
filmreferen ...

, puppets and magic designed by Michael Curry, and choreography by

Rob Ashford Rob Ashford (born November 19, 1959) is an American stage director and choreographer. He is a Tony Award, Olivier Award, Emmy Award, Drama Desk Award, and Outer Critics Circle Award winner. Early life and education Born in Orlando, Florida and ...

. After just 9 weeks of touring, the producers announced that the production would close due to the lack of ticket sales. Following the early closure of the production, it was announced that nine-time Tony Award Winner,

Tommy Tune Thomas James Tune (born February 28, 1939) is an American actor, dancer, singer, theatre director, producer, and choreographer. Over the course of his career, he has won ten Tony Awards, the National Medal of Arts, and a star on the Hollywood Wal ...

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

200708 UK tour

In 2007,

Bill Kenwright William Kenwright, CBE (born 4 September 1945) is an English West End theatre producer and film producer. He has also been the chairman of Everton Football Club since 2004. Kenwright was born in Liverpool and attended Booker Avenue County Prima ...

produced a brand new production of the musical starring

Tommy Steele Sir Thomas Hicks (born 17 December 1936), known professionally as Tommy Steele, is an English entertainer, regarded as Britain's first teen idol and rock and roll star. After being discovered at the 2i's Coffee Bar in Soho, London, Steele reco ...

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 Karen Bruce (born 25 March 1963) is a choreographer and director who has worked in theatre and television. Bruce's work includes direction and choreography of ''The Last Tango'', ''Dance 'til Dawn'', ''Midnight Tango'' and ''Love Me Tender''. S ...

. This production was a revised version with many changes to the book and musical numbers.

201819 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 Brian Capron (born 11 February 1947) is an English actor who trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. He is best known for his role as serial killer, Richard Hillman, in the long-running ITV soap opera, ''Coronation Street'', f ...

as Blossom / Straight Arrow,

Vicky Entwistle Victoria Entwistle (born 15 September 1968) is an English actress. She is known for portraying the role of Janice Battersby in the ITV soap opera ''Coronation Street''. Early life Entwistle grew up in Accrington; her father owned a newsagent ...

as Polynesia, Mollie Melia-Redgrave as Emma Fairfax and Patric Sullivan as Matthew Muggins. The production was directed by

Christopher Renshaw Christopher Renshaw (born 18 March 1952 in Reading) is a British opera and theatre director. He has directed in multiple countries, including musical theatre in London's West End. Biography In 2001, Renshaw directed ''Taboo'', a musical with th ...

, designed by

Tom Piper Thomas Stephen Towry Piper MBE (born 24 November 1964) is a British theatre designer who regularly collaborates with director Michael Boyd. He became an associate designer with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2004. Early life Tom Piper was bor ...

, 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.

Cast and characters

Musical numbers

Original London production

; Act I * "Overture" - Orchestra * "My Friend the Doctor" - Matthew, Tommy, Company * "The Vegetarian" - Doctor Dolittle * "

Talk to the Animals "Talk to the Animals" is a song written by British composer Leslie Bricusse. Written for the 1967 film ''Doctor Dolittle'', it won the Academy Award for Best Original Song at the 40th Academy Awards. It was performed in the film by Rex Harrison ...

" - Doctor Dolittle, Polynesia * "Doctor Dolittle" - Matthew, Tommy, Company * "You're Impossible" - Emma, Doctor Dolittle * "I've Never Seen Anything Like It" - Blossom, Doctor Dolittle, Company * "Beautiful Things" - Emma * "When I Look in Your Eyes" - Doctor Dolittle * "Like Animals" - Doctor Dolittle ; Act II * "After Today" - Matthew * "Fabulous Places" - Doctor Dolittle, Emma, Matthew, Tommy * "Where Are the Words?" - Doctor Dolittle, Matthew * "The Storm" - Orchestra * "I Think I Like You" - Emma, Doctor Dolittle * "Save the Animals" - Straight Arrow, Company * "Entrance of Jean-Claude" - Orchestra * "

The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) "The Christmas Song" (commonly subtitled "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" or, as it was originally subtitled, "Merry Christmas to You") is a classic Christmas song written in 1945 by Robert Wells and Mel Tormé. The Nat King Cole Trio fir ...

" - Doctor Dolittle * "My Friend the Doctor" (reprise) - Straight Arrow * "The Voice of Protest" - Emma, Matthew, Bellows * Finale: "I've Never Seen Anything Like It" (reprise) / "My Friend the Doctor" (reprise II) - Company * Bows: "Talk to the Animals" (reprise) - Company

2007/08 UK touring production

; Act I * "Overture" - Orchestra * "Puddleby-By-The-Sea" - Company, Matthew * "My Friend the Doctor" - Matthew, Doctor Dolittle, Company * "

" - Doctor Dolittle * "He's Impossible" - Emma, Matthew * "The Time of Our Lives" - Doctor Dolittle, Matthew, Polynesia, Tommy * "I've Never Seen Anything Like It" * "My Friend the Doctor" (reprise) - Emma, Matthew * "When I Look in Your Eyes" - Doctor Dolittle * "After Today" - Doctor Dolittle ; Act II * "Entr'acte" - Orchestra * "Fabulous Places" - Doctor Dolittle, Emma, Matthew, Tommy * "Where are the Words?" - Doctor Dolittle * "Save The Animals" - Doctor Dolittle, Straight Arrow, Company * "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)" - Doctor Dolittle * "After Today" (reprise) - Doctor Dolittle * "The Voice of Protest" - Emma, Matthew, Bellows, Company * "I've Never Seen Anything Like It" (reprise) - Blossom, Gertie, Company * "My Friend the Doctor" (reprise) - Company * "Doctor Dolittle" - Doctor Dolittle, Company

Cast recording

The original London cast recording starring Phillip Schofield was released on 1 October 1998 by Exalshallow Ltd, featuring 22 tracks.

References

{{Doctor Dolittle Musicals based on films Musicals based on multiple works 1998 musicals Doctor Dolittle Compositions by Leslie Bricusse British musicals Musicals based on novels