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A purr-fectly brilliant brand-new family musical is coming to London, Essex and Hampshire
Dermot O’Leary’s bestselling children’s book Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape is to be brought to life on stage for the first time in a brand-new family musical opening spring 2026.
Little Angel Theatre, Mercury Theatre and Mayflower Southampton are delighted to announce the world premiere stage adaptation of Dermot O’Leary’s much loved children’s book illustrated by Nick East, Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape. The new production will open at Mercury Theatre Colchester (2 to 18 April), Little Angel Theatre London (16 May to 19 July) and Mayflower Studios (23 – 26 July) before heading out on a national tour (further dates to be announced). Tickets are on-sale today at each venue: www.mercurytheatre.co.uk, www.littleangeltheatre.com and www.mayflower.org.uk.
Dermot O’Leary says “I’m over the moon to see my book brought to life through puppetry. 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, in theatres to audiences all around the country."
The world of Toto and her friends will be lovingly adapted from page to stage by award-winning duo, Little Angel Artistic Director Samantha Lane and acclaimed musician Barb Jungr (Olivier nominated for Best Family Show in 2023 for their previous collaboration on The Smartest Giant in Town). Set, costume and puppets will be created by celebrated puppetry designer and Little Angel Associate Director Oliver Hyman (whose work has also been presented at Tate Modern, Royal Albert Hall and the National Gallery and who recently won a special Fringe Theatre Awards for exceptional services to puppetry). Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape will be a highlight of Little Angel’s 65th anniversary season next year.
Meet Toto. She might look like an ordinary cat, but she’s no ordinary feline. Almost completely blind, Toto has incredible ninja skills, a big heart, and a nose for adventure. By day, she naps like any other pet… but by night, she’s out on daring missions with her cheeky brother, Silver.
In their very first adventure, a deadly King Cobra has escaped onto the streets of London, and it’s up to Toto to use every ounce of her courage and cunning to save the day.
Based on Dermot O’Leary’s best-selling children’s book, illustrated by Nick East, this purr-fectly thrilling tale is filled with original music, laugh-out-loud fun, and extraordinary puppetry, promising fun for the whole family.
Samantha Lane and Barb Jungr said: ‘We are absolutely thrilled to be co-adapting ‘Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape’. It’s such a joyful, funny, and heartwarming story, and we can’t wait to bring Toto’s world, full of courage, friendship, and adventure, to life on stage. Led by a stellar creative team, the production promises brilliant songs, imaginative puppetry, and an abundance of surprises for audiences of all ages.’
Natasha Rickman, Artistic Director of Mercury Theatre said ‘Toto the Ninja Cat is a bold, funny and big-hearted adventure for audiences of all ages, written by Colchester’s own Dermot O’Leary. We’re so proud to be bringing Toto’s world to life on stage for the first time, right here at the Mercury. It’s a privilege to be co-producing with Little Angel and Mayflower Theatres on this fantastic new family musical, which promises to be a highlight of our spring season.’