Doctor Dolittle UK and Ireland tour further casting announced

Further casting has been announced for the new UK and Ireland tour of Doctor Dolittle, joining Mark Williams in the show.

The new production, directed by Christopher Renshaw, will feature a reworked book by Leslie Bricusse (who is responsible for the original book, music and lyrics) as well as puppetry and classic musical numbers including "Talk to the Animals". It is based on the classic film of the same name, which starred Rex Harrison and was released 50 years ago.

Williams (known for playing Arthur Weasley in the Harry Potter film series) will be joined by Brian Capron (Coronation Street) and Vicky Entwistle (Coronation Street) in the production, which also features Mollie Melia-Redgrave (On The Town), Patrick Sullivan (Bat Out of Hell).

Also in the cast will be Femi Akinfolarin. Erica Jayne Alden, Lydia Bannister, Joel Bayliss, Evonnee Bentley-Holder, Jane Cranshaw, Emily Essery, Jacob Fisher, George Hankers, Catherine Hannay, Evan James, Leon Kay, Emma Lloyd, Ross Meagrow, Owen McHugh, Tom Norman, Emily Ann Potter, Ellie Seaton and Richard Vorster. The role of Tommy Stubbins will be shared by Harry Cross, Elliot Morris, Quillan O'Meara McDonald, Louis Parker, Elliott Rose and Thomas Ryan.

Williams and Capron will play the first ten venues on the tour – Bromley, Salford, Oxford, Wolverhampton, Newcastle, Hull, Aberdeen, Northampton, Nottingham and Sheffield.

The tour has choreography by Josh Rhodes, design by Tom Piper, puppet design by Jimmy Grimes, lighting by Chris Davey, sound by Ben Harrison, and musical supervision by Mike Dixon.

The production tells the story of the eccentric Doctor and his quest to find the Giant Pink Sea Snail.