NEW Earswick Musicals are making final preparations for their April production of Doctor Dolittle at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, calling once more on the skills of Adam Moore from Leeds company Tech 24.

"Adam has done three previous shows with us, including our last production, Fiddler On The Roof, last November and he's also worked this spring with Pick Me Up Theatre on their productions of Private Peaceful and Goodnight Mister Tom at 41 Monkgate in York," says chairman Steve Tearle, who will lead the Doctor Dolittle company in the title role.

"When Adam and I sat down to research the show, we wanted to bring a different look and feel to it, almost as if people are watching a movie, to give the musical an almost 3D approach to take our audience on this extraordinary journey. So our scenes have moving images to create the right environment to bring Dr Dolittle to life."

A further challenge has been to transform Doctor Dolittle's pet parrot Polynesia into human form. "Polynesia will fly on to the stage but leave dancing on her own two feet, and the Doctor will fly too," says Steve.

Among the highlights will be the Great Storm and the shipwreck in the second act. "We've choreographed this with the ship breaking up right in front of everyone's eyes. It's going to be a wonderful to see in this Broadway-sized family musical," says Steve.

Doctor Dolitte's tale of the doctor who can talk to the animals will take the JoRo audience on a journey from the English village of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh to the far corners of the world. "The wonders that this journey reveals are fantastic, with the most amazing and unique animals York has ever seen," says Steve.

"We'll bring you this all-singing, all-dancing musical packed with brilliant songs such as Talk To The Animals, Something In Your Smile, the beautiful When I Look In Your Eyes and, of course, the famous I've Never Seen Anything Like It.

Directed by Ann McCreadie, Doctor Dolittle will run from April 26 to 29. 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