Aston Merrygold and Jeff Brazier to star in '101 Dalmatians'

TV presenter Jeff Brazier and former JLS band member Aston Merrygold join Britain's Got Talent winner Sydnie Christmas in the musical about cruel fashionista Cruella de Vil and her plot to steal puppies.

Full casting has been revealed for 101 Dalmatians The Musical, which opens at the Eventim Apollo in London on 18 July for a limited six-week run.

Joining the previously announced Sydnie Christmas (winner of Britain’s Got Talent 2024) as Cruella De Vil, are Jeff Brazier making his stage debut as Casper, JLS singer Aston Merrygold as Jasper, Laura Baldwin as Danielle, Linford Johnson as Pongo, Samuel Thomas as Tom, and Emma Thornett as Perdi.

The ensemble includes Dylan Collymore, Benedict Hastings, Lottie Johnson, Rachel Lea-Gray, Kenan Lewis Smith, Callum Martin, Joe Sleight, Chioma Uma, and Jhanaica Van Mook. The swings are Ronan O’Hara and Victoria Compson-Bradford.

Brazier said, “I love taking on new challenges and I’m so excited to absorb all of the acting experience around me from the cast of 101 Dalmatians. I’ll be working hard to learn my lines and looking forward to bringing smiles to lots of people’s faces throughout our summer run at the Eventim Apollo.”

Merrygold said, “I’m very proud to be joining the cast of 101 Dalmatians and excited to be a part of this production in Hammersmith for the summer. The kids can’t wait to see their dad back on stage!”

The new musical version of Dodie Smith’s classic book is written by Douglas Hodge (music and lyrics) and Johnny McKnight (book), from a stage adaptation by Zinnie Harris.

The rest of the creative team includes director Bill Buckhurst, set designer David Woodhead, costume designer Sarah Mercadé, choreographer Lucy Hind, musical supervisor Alfonso Casado Trigo, orchestrations by Jack Hopkins, puppet designer Jimmy Grimes, lighting designer James Whiteside, sound designer Chris Whybrow, and musical director Leigh Stanford Thompson.

Book 101 Dalmatians tickets on LondonTheatre.co.uk

Photo credit: Merrygold (photo by Jack Alexander) and Brazier. (Courtesy of production)