NEW Earswick Musicals are to present an "all singing, all dancing Broadway-sized family musical packed with some of the most amazing moments ever to be seen in the Joseph Rowntree Theatre" next month.

Directed by Ann McCreadie, Doctor Dolittle will be staged in York from April 26 to 29 with its tale of tale of kindness to animals featuring book, music and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, based on the 1967 film and the children's stories by Hugh Lofting.

The musical account of the adventures of a doctor who learns to speak the language of various animals and treats them as patients utilises the same songs as in the screen version.

The story begins with Doctor Dolittle (played by regular leading man Steve Tearle) being accused of murder by the magistrate, General Bellowes (Gary Riley). Seeking to prove his innocence, he is helped by his friends Matthew Mugg (Martin Lay), Emma Fairfax (Emma Joyce Craggs) and little Tommy Stubbins (David Tate), who try to persuade the court that the doctor is a wonderful man who really can talk to the animals.

From the small English village of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh, the Doctor sets out on an extraordinary voyage to the far corners of the world to find the legendary Great Pink Sea Snail. Joining the doctor will be his faithful companions Polynesia, the 200-year-old parrot (Anna Keat); Jip, his dog (Libby Richie); pet pig Gub-Gub (Harvey Nicholson); Chee-Chee, the Chimpanzee (Thomas Keat and Alfie O'Neil) and Scratch, his mischievous cat (Callum Nicholson).

"The fun and mayhem really begins when the Doctor needs to raise the money to finance the journey," says Steve Tearle. "So it all begins with a visit to Blossom's Unbelievable Circus, where proprietor Albert Blossom (Richard Rogers) cannot believe what he sees as the Doctor produces the most unique animal, a Pushmi-Pullyu (Sam Richardson and Kristian Barley)."

York Press:

"It's mad, it's funny, it's brilliant, this truly remarkable show should not be missed," says New Earswick Musicals' chairman, Steve Tearle

Further roles go to Lorraine Hodgson, Kelvin Grant, Will Roberts, Mollie Pashley, Beth Parker, Sarah Tate, Eva Scaife, Taylor Jackson, Jackson Shepherd, Eve Parker, Kit Stroud, Mia Stroud, Holly Inch and Grace Brown.

"We're always amazed with what talent we have in our shows and this show is just the same," says director Ann McCreadie. "The children are simply amazing. Recently, we've had so many children who have been with us go on to perform in other shows in York and it's such a credit to us as a team. Everything is coming together now for Doctor Dolittle, so it's looking great and it's going to be a good show."

Jess Douglas will be making her New Earswick debut as musical director. "What a great show! With great voices and a ten-piece orchestra, the sound of the show will be fantastic, and working with so many children has really been so much fun," she says.

In his capacity as society chairman, Steve Tearle concludes: "Doctor Dolittle doesn't get staged that often, partly because of the intensity of the character parts, and the staging of the show has proved to be quite difficult, but we have all worked really hard to bring it to life.

"It's mad, it's funny, it's brilliant, this is a truly remarkable show that should not be missed. If you want to see something completely different this season, join us at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre in April."

Tickets for the 7.30pm evening shows and 2.30pm Saturday matinee are on sale at £12 to £18 on 01904 501935 or at josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk