Original London production (1998-99) and UK tour (2000-2001) The world premiere production opened at the Hammersmith Apollo in London on 14 July 1998, starring TV presenter and personality
Phillip Schofield in the title role. The role played by Anthony Newley in the film was played by Irish television presenter and actor
Bryan Smyth. The production was directed by
Steven Pimlott, designed by Mark Thompson, choreographed by Aletta Collins and its lighting designed by
Hugh Vanstone; and featured animal puppets provided by
Jim Henson's Creature Shop. The production also featured the pre-recorded voice of
Julie Andrews as Polynesia the parrot. Following his run as Joseph in
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the
London Palladium (after replacing
Jason Donovan),
Doctor Dolittle was the second stage musical that Schofield starred in.
Leslie Bricusse stated that the title role would be played by someone younger than
Rex Harrison was in the original movie:"Rex Harrison was fabulous, but he was a generation and half older than the leading lady
Samantha Eggar. With a younger Dr. Dolittle, the potential of that relationship is much greater".The production's budget cost £4 million, at the time one of the most expensive musicals ever staged. The production closed on 26 June 1999, having run for almost a year. It was followed by a UK tour in 2000 and 2001 which also starred Schofield, who shared the title role with
Paul Nicholas and
Russ Abbot.
US National Tour (2005-06) The show made its American debut on a national tour which began at the Benedum Center in Pittsburg from August 2, 2005. The production starred
Tom Hewitt in the title role and was directed by Glenn Casale, with sets designed by Kenneth Foy, costumes designed by
Ann Hould-Ward, puppets and magic designed by
Michael Curry, and choreography by
Rob Ashford. After just nine weeks of touring, the producers announced that the production would close due to the lack of ticket sales. Following the early closure of the production, nine-time Tony Award Winner,
Tommy Tune directed and starred in a revamped version of the tour from January 2006. The rest of the creative team remained the same as the start of the tour. The production was produced by Pittsburgh CLO,
Nederlander Presentations, Inc., Independent Presenters Network and Columbia Artists Theatricals.
Further UK tours 2007-08 UK tour In 2007,
Bill Kenwright produced a brand new production of the musical starring
Tommy Steele in the title role which toured the UK until the following year. The production was directed by Bob Tomson, designed by Paul Farnsworth and choreographed by
Karen Bruce. This production was a revised version with many changes to the book and musical numbers.
2018-19 UK tour A new UK tour presented by Music & Lyrics opened on 9 November 2018 at the
Churchill Theatre in Bromley, Greater London.
Mark Williams played the title role alongside
Brian Capron as Blossom / Straight Arrow,
Vicky Entwistle as Polynesia, Mollie Melia-Redgrave as Emma Fairfax and Patric Sullivan as Matthew Muggins. The production was directed by
Christopher Renshaw, designed by
Tom Piper and choreographed by Josh Rhodes with musical supervision by Mike Dixon. Music & Lyrics Productions closed the tour at the end of its run at the
New Theatre, Oxford on 26 January 2019. The company cited lower advance ticket sales than anticipated as the reason for the decision. == Cast and characters ==