Doctor Dolittle
November 21, 2007
Dr Dolittle is best is remembered as the classic film starring Rex Harrison , although younger audiences will refer to the two Eddie Murphy pictures of the same name, which have nothing to do with this show.
The original stage version starred Phillip Schofield as Dolittle ( Russ Abbott toured in the show) and the voice of Julie Andrews (unfortunately not used in this production) as Polynesia. This is a new version presented by Bill Kenwright, which is slicker and more colourful than before and benefits by starring Tommy Steele (Half a Sixpence). Steele is a firm family favourite and though now in his 70s he is still a showman who can light up a stage with his amazing smile.
This role fits Steele far better than his previous Leslie Bricusse musical Scrooge, as he never managed to pull off the nastiness of Ebenezer Scrooge, as you could always see glimpses of the Tommy Steele “mr nice guy” wanting to burst out. In this show Dr Dolittle is a nice character all along, so it allows Steele to do what he does best, sing, dance and entertain and audience that ranged from four upwards.
The show tells the story of John Dolittle, who learns from his parrot Polynesia to talk to the animals. We follow his adventures as he tries to raise funds to travel abroad to meet the giant pink sea snail. But as he helps a seal escape to find her husband in the North Pole, people think he is actually trying to throw an old woman in to the water and he is imprisoned. This leads him to escape from jail, with the help of an elephant. As he sails away his ship, ironically called the Flounder is hit by a massive storm, which leaves Dolittle shipwrecked. But as in all good stories the chief on the island just happens to be the pen-pal of Dolittle and arranges for the pink sea snail to take his friends back to England. But when a message arrives saying all the animals in England need Dolittle’s help, he boards a giant lunar moth and travels home to save the day.
The production is bright and cheerful with an array of special effects and animals, which range from pigs and sheep to a horse wearing glasses, a seal and a multi coloured ostrich. When Dolittle escapes at the end of the first half the effect of him being flown away by five seagulls is very cleaver and works well. Special mention must be made of the Pushmi-Pullyu, which is a show stopper and Jip the Dog a very cleaver “Old English Sheep Dog” who accompanies the Doctor.
The songs include “If I could talk to the animals” , “I have never seen anything like it” and “My friend the doctor “ but on occasions the other songs slow the action down as they concentrate on the subplot of Emma Fairfax (Abagail Jay) who starts by hating the Doctor before falling in love with him. This angle is never fully explored and with Steele as the Doctor and Jay being in her twenties the relationship is more unsettling than romantic. The Doctors friends Tommy Stubbins (Joanna Forest ) and Matthew Muggins (Conor Micheal-Sheridan) who accompany him on his journey are really superfluous to the plot in this version of the show, as this is really a Steele and the animals extravaganza and all the better for it.
But the show zips along and allows Steele a few moments at the curtain call to do a solo song and dance routine , which still proves he is one of our top live entertainers.
My daughter, who is six, sat mesmerised at the animals and special effects throughout the performance. But today when we tried to say good morning to our dogs, as demonstrated by Dolittle, we were disappointed to find it did not work, but practice makes perfect.
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