It's a brave woman who takes on a role performed by Glenn Close - but Kym Marsh's Cruella De Vil is up there with the Hollywood greats.
Kym is playing the wicked De Vil as 101 Dalmatians The Musical comes to the stage for a four-night run at the Mayflower Theatre in Southampton.
Disney die-hards will notice that the stage play deviates from the original Disney Classic somewhat, and also the original Dodie Smith story - I mean there are mobile phones and other modern nods - but it's brought up to date while still retaining the 1950s charm of the tale.
The modern De Vil is a fashion-mad businesswoman, think the Devil Wears Prada, who is obsessed with animal skin, in particular making a coat from Dalmatians.
The dog stars are puppets, cleverly created and skilfully handled, and as would be expected by the show's name, there are lots of them, meaning a big cast.
The first half sees the two Dalmatian owners Danielle (played by Jessie Elland of Coronation Street fame) and Tom meet and fall in love, there's lots of scene setting, and it's a little slow and love-y, and the Pub Song is definitely geared for the older adult audience (those who remember life in pubs pre-smoking ban), before De Vil, the true star of the show, bursts in with her two sidekick nephews Casper and Jasper. They bring with them the drama, the jokes, the slapstick humour and the fun.
The second half steps up a gear, with more singing and dancing, making it much more entertaining for all ages. It's enthralling to watch De Vil's descent into mania, performed by Kym with exceptional skill. She's wonderfully wicked - but not too scary for the younger ones in the audience.
Cruella's car still makes the stage show cut, and it's as wonderful as expected, with the wheels flying off after a run-in with a cat.
Our favourite musical number was Take Me Home, performed by three puppies at the moon, and its funny line 'I'm hungry' certainly sticks in your head.
But the cherry on top of the cake is when one of the puppies gets her spots - a scene pinched straight out of the sequel 102 Dalmatians - and she appears on stage.... and she's a real dog.
The oohs and the ahs from the audience said it all. This show took us on a journey, tried to teach us a few morals, and left us wiping a happy tear from the corner of our eye - overall an excellent stage adaption of a great family classic.
The show is at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton until October 26. Go to mayflower.org.uk
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