Last night was my second journey down to Mandurah to enjoy their top notch Performing Arts Centre. Set on the waterfront with plenty of food options close by, it makes for a very pleasant evening out. Although, yesterday was an exception with the two freeway car accidents, lightning, torrential rain and 1 hour 50 minute journey from Perth! But, hey, we got there safely and with just enough time to wolf down (pun very much intended) dinner at The Stage Door restaurant. Hat tip to the friendly wait staff for making this work.
The occasion? The Hundred and One Dalmatians presented by Stray Cats Theatre Company. The irony of the names is not lost on me.
After the hectic drive and inhaling our dinner as quickly as possible, walking into the Fishtrap Theatre was surreal. In contrast to our rush, we were confronted with six motionless actors frozen in a tableau on stage. It was a striking first impression. They held this image with discipline for ages and I wondered how long they had already been there for. As the show started and the figures moved, a kid behind me whispered “they ARE real!”
Work and enthusiasm pays off
Stray Cats has again delivered a performance with many qualities. There was humour, great choreo, enthusiasm and, perhaps most impressively, attention to detail. The multiple sets were creative with many hours no doubt having gone into them. The staying in character of all the cast, even when they weren’t the focus, was evident. The costumes were fun and bright. The make up was effective without being too much.
The range of character personalities was diverse, which was important for this show. A lesser production may have had all the animals too similar but this one was done well.
Meg Willis (Perdita) and Hunter Perry (Pongo) provided a strong backbone as the doggy parents. Indeed, the portrayal of talking animals found a healthy medium. Whereas in Cats you are expected to take the animals seriously, here they took a lighter approach, hamming it up, at times bordering on pantomime. This fits better with a 2025 audience and I preferred it.
Alex White and Rhiannon Francis played the simpleton Dearly couple whose stereotypical awkwardness and fussing and fretting reminded me of actual English people I know.
Lachlan McNeil and Aidan Thomas brought comedy and energy in their roles as Cruella De Vil’s goons.
The acting of Alexandra Wall as the somewhat frustrated Nanny and Teaghan Lowry as the evil villain Cruella were highlights. Keely Hockley was De Vil’s sooky cat, and also nailed the perfect improv to a baby’s crying in the front row.
The ensemble’s energy continued throughout and the show provided plenty of opportunities for minor parts, all of which were embraced with both hands.
But isn’t it called musicalsreview.com?
Yes, I am a musicals guy, and whilst this was more of a hybrid, I still had fun. Sure, it didn’t have singing, but no crossbreed is ever fully both of its parents, it takes bits from each. Dalmatians has dancing, plenty of laughs, over the top silliness, slapstick fun for kids, and some subtle double meanings for the adults. Did the audience have a good time? Absolutely. Would my kids laugh and enjoy it? Yep, albeit perhaps for different reasons than I did. But isn’t that a common compliment for movies like Shrek or Madagascar?
I would recommend this for ages 7 and up. There are baddies who would be too much for my younger ones and it is a lengthy show whose slower moments in the Second Act might cause little minds to wander.
Dalmatians showed that local theatre is strong and thriving in Mandurah. Stray Cats’ signature meet-the-cast-afterwards again amplified the community feel and keeps the energy flowing after the final bows.
One Hundred and One Dalmatians continues tonight, running until Sunday 27th July. Book now before they let the dogs out! (Come on, I had to use that one somewhere 😇)
