Stage show of O’Leary book to debut in Colchester
PA MediaTV and radio presenter Dermot O’Leary says he is “over the moon” that the first in his successful six-part children’s book series is to become a stage musical.
O’Leary based his Toto the Ninja Cat stories on his real pet, a blind moggy he adopted in Italy, which he said showed “incredible reactions”.
The first in the series, Toto The Ninja Cat And The Great Snake Escape, has been adapted for the stage and will tour England next year, starting in the star’s home city of Colchester.
“Toto is currently fast asleep, blissfully unaware of all the attention, but speaking on her behalf, she’ll be thrilled to bits that her adventures are about to come to life,” the 52-year-old told BBC Breakfast.
The production will kick off at the city’s Mercury Theatre between 2 and 18 April next year.
The story follows Toto, a cat that is completely blind but uses ninja skills which aid her in her adventures with her brother Silver.
Stuart Woodward/BBCIn their first adventure, which hit bookshelves in 2017, a deadly king cobra has escaped from London Zoo onto the streets of the capital, and it is up to Toto to save the day.
“I turned her into a member of the Ancient Order of Ninja Cats,” O’Leary added, “and she works for Larry, the Downing Street cat.
“I grew up going to the Mercury Theatre, to see panto and plays. I can’t wait to see what they’ve done with it.”
The production, adapted from page to stage by Samantha Lane, artistic director of Little Angel Theatre, and musician Barb Jungr, will be filled with original music and puppetry.
“I’m over the moon to see my book brought to life through puppetry,” O’Leary added.
Dermot O’Leary/BBCIllustrator Nick East said: “Working with Dermot on the Toto The Ninja Cat series has been an utter delight, and I’m thrilled that the amazing Little Angel team are now giving our fearless feline a whole new adventure in puppet form.”
The stage show will also play London’s Little Angel Theatre, as well as Southampton, Bristol, Birmingham, Weymouth and Guildford.
O’Leary, who presents on ITV’s This Morning and BBC Radio 2, is the author of a number of children’s books, including Spy Fox And Agent Feathers and Wings Of Glory.
