A new production of Doctor Dolittle, featuring a re-worked book by Leslie Bricusse, is set to tour the U.K. and Ireland next fall. The touring production is part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the original film and will feature the same songs—including Bricusse's Oscar-winning track “Talk to the Animals.”
Composer and lyricist Bricusse won his first Oscar for his work on the score and songs of the 1967 original Doctor Dolittle film. He would go on to pen songs for myriad films, including 1971's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
The 2018 Doctor Dolittle tour will launch at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley on November 9, 2018.
Christopher Renshaw (Le Grand Mort, Zorro, Taboo, We Will Rock You, The King and I) will direct, with design by Tom Piper (former associate designer at the RSC), and musical supervision by Mike Dixon (Mrs Henderson Presents, Oh What A Lovely War, Bodyguard).
In the puppet-infused musical, the eccentric doctor embarks on an adventure to find the Giant Pink Sea Snail that holds the secret of life and makes the world a happier place.
Casting will be announced at a later date.
Doctor Dolittle is based on the Doctor Dolittle stories by Hugh Lofting and the Twentieth Century Fox film. The tour is produced by Music & Lyrics Limited. Other stops include Salford, Wolverhampton, Newcastle, Aberdeen, and Nottingham among others.
For more information on the U.K. production visit DoctorDolittleMusical.com.
