Dermot O’Leary’s beloved children’s book Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape is set to leap from page to stage in a brand-new family musical opening in spring 2026.
The world premiere adaptation, co-produced by Little Angel Theatre, Mercury Theatre Colchester and Mayflower Southampton, will open at the Mercury Theatre Colchester from 2 to 18 April before moving to Little Angel Theatre in London from 16 May to 19 July and Mayflower Studios from 23 to 26 July.
A nationwide tour will follow, with stops in Bristol, Birmingham, Weymouth, Guildford and Edinburgh – and more dates still to come.
Dermot said: “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 bestselling Toto the Ninja Cat series, illustrated by Nick East and published by Hachette Children’s Group, has sold over half a million copies worldwide and been translated into 17 languages.
Inspired by Dermot’s real-life pets, the books follow Toto – an almost blind but brave feline who doubles as a secret ninja – and her mischievous brother Silver as they take on daring adventures.
Illustrator Nick East shared his excitement, saying, “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 – it’s sure to be the cat’s whiskers!”
The adaptation will be written and directed by award-winning duo Samantha Lane and Barb Jungr, whose previous collaboration The Smartest Giant in Town earned an Olivier Award nomination in 2023.
Puppetry designer Oliver Hyman will bring Toto and her world to life with imaginative sets, costumes and characters, while lighting design will come from Sherry Coenen, whose past work includes Wow Said The Owl and The Singing Mermaid.
Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape follows Toto’s first big adventure as she battles to stop a deadly King Cobra on the loose in London.
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.”
Tickets are now on sale at www.mercurytheatre.co.uk, www.littleangeltheatre.com, and www.mayflower.org.uk.
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