casting announced for the european premiere of
Dog man: the musical
Playing at curve 16 – 19 july 2026
The cast has today been announced for the UK tour of the European premiere of DOG MAN: THE MUSICAL. This hilarious and heartfelt new musical is based on the worldwide bestselling book series by Dav Pilkey, also creator of CAPTAIN UNDERPANTSand CAT KID COMIC CLUB. DOG MAN: THE MUSICAL comes to the UK after playing to packed houses in the US where it had multiple sell-out Off-Broadway seasons and US tours. DOG MAN THE MUSICAL plays at Curve Thursday 16 – Sunday 19 July 2026.
Casting includes Vanessa Dumatey (I’M EVERY WOMAN,Hackney Empire & UK Tour; THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL, Aldwych Theatre, West End) as Flippy, Sam Kipling (LES MISÉRABLES, Sondheim Theatre; THE MIKADO, Wilton’s Music Hall & UK Tour) as Petey, Peter Lavery (BECOMING NANCY, Birmingham Repertory Theatre; JACK AND THE BEANSTALK, Ipswich Regent Theatre) as Harold, Ricardo Mendes (CARMEN, ENO London Coliseum; PINOCCHIO, The Alhambra Theatre) as George, Rebecca-Jo Roberts (BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, The Theatre Chipping Norton; STALLED: A NEW MUSICAL, King’s Head Theatre) as Li’l Petey and Renan Teadoro (ANYONE CAN WHISTLE, Southwark Playhouse;I AM HARVEY MILK, European Premiere) as Dog Man. The cast is completed by Richener Bissereth, Shannon Bourne and Robert Wilkes.
The tour will have a run at Southbank Centre from 29 July – 16 August. The UK tour venues include Leicester Curve (16-19 July), Crewe Lyceum (21-23 July), Southbank Centre (29 July – 16 August), Southend Palace (18-20 August), Hertford Beam (24-26 August), Wolverhampton Grand (28-29 August), Eastbourne Devonshire Park (4-5 September), Darlington Hippodrome (11-13 September), Torquay Princess Theatre (26-27 September), Halifax Victoria (3-4 October), Cambridge Arts Theatre (8-10 October), Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre (16-17 October), Fareham Live (23-25 October) and Wycombe Swan (26-28 October). Further dates for 2027 are to be announced.
This epic musical adventure has a book and lyrics by Kevin Del Aguila (two-time Emmy Award-winning writer of the PBS show PEG + CAT), music by Brad Alexander(Drama Desk-nominated See ROCK CITY & OTHER DESTINATIONS); and is directed and choreographed by Jen Wineman (NY:LESS THAN 50%).
Since it launched to critical acclaim in 2016, Dav Pilkey’s international hit book series DOG MAN has more than 70 million copies in print worldwide and has been translated into 48 languages, with five of the titles currently in the Amazon UK top 50 best-selling children’s books. The Dreamworks animated film based on the books was released earlier in 2025 to great acclaim and box office success. DOG MAN: THE MUSICAL,originally produced by TheaterWorksUSA, premiered off-Broadway in June 2019 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, extending due to popular demand. The production returned to New York at New World Stages in March 2023.
Best friends George and Harold have been creating comics for years, but now that they’re 10, they figure it’s time to level up and write a musical based on their favourite character, Dog Man, the crime-biting sensation who is part dog, part man, and ALL HERO!! How hard could it be?
With the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, Dog Man loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture. But while trying his best to be a good boy, can he save the city from Flippy the cyborg fish and his army of Beasty Buildings? Can he catch Petey, the world’s most evil cat, who has cloned himself to exact revenge on the doggy do-gooder? And will George and Harold finish their show before lunchtime?
Dav Pilkey was diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia as a child. He was so disruptive in class that his teachers made him sit out in the hallway every day. Luckily, Dav loved to draw and make up stories, so he spent his time in the hallway creating his own original comic books – the very first adventures of Dog Man and Captain Underpants. Since then, Dav has written and illustrated a number of bestselling and award-winning children’s books, including the Caldecott Honor book THE PAPERBOY. His CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS series and DOG MAN graphic novels have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been translated into many languages. Dav lives in the Pacific Northwest with his wife. His stories explore universally positive themes that celebrate the triumph of the good-hearted.
The original creative team for DOG MAN: THE MUSICAL also includes scenic design by Timothy R. Mackabee (Broadway’s THE ELEPHANT MAN; GUARDS AT THE TAJ, Lucille Lortel Award); costume design by Heidi Leigh Hanson (Regional: THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL, HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE); lighting design by David Lander (Broadway’s THE LIGHTNING THIEF: THE PERCY JACKSON MUSICAL; BENGHAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO,Drama Desk Award); original sound design by Emma Wilk (NY: THE WAITING GAME, Regional: THE HEIRESS); orchestrations by Lloyd Kikoler. Paul Herbert (ROB BRYDON SONGS AND STORIES, UK, Australia, NZ tour and THE WIPERS TIMES, West End/UK Tour) joins the team for the European premiere as Musical Director and Pearson Casting will be Casting Director.
DOG MAN: THE MUSICAL is produced by Roast Productions by special arrangement with TWTheatricals.
DOG MAN: THE MUSICAL will run at Curve in Leicester from Thursday 16 – Sunday 19 July 2026. Tickets are on sale now. To find out more and book, visit www.curveonline.co.uk, call 0116 242 3595 or visit Curve’s Box Office in-person.
Curve
60 Rutland St, Leicester LE1 1SB
X: @CurveLeicester
Facebook:/CURVEtheatreLeicester
Instagram: @Curve_Leicester
TikTok: @CurveLeicester
YouTube: @curvetheatre
About Curve
Curve is an award-winning producing theatre with a commitment to ensuring as many people as possible can access great art and culture. Each year, over two million people engage with Curve through performances in Leicester, across the UK and internationally. Under the leadership of Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster, Curve has developed an international reputation for producing, presenting and touring a bold and diverse slate of musicals, plays, new work, and dance, which sits alongside a vibrant community and learning programme.
Recent Made at Curve productions and co-productions include: BANK OF DAVE THE MUSICAL, KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, KINKY BOOTS (London Coliseum, UK and Europe tour); INSIDE AMERICAN PIE; LEGALLY BLONDE (UK and Ireland tour); THE SOUND OF MUSIC; ALIENS LOVE PANTA CLAUS; WHO’S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF; LOST ATOMS (UK tour); A CHORUS LINE (Sadler’s Wells, UK and Japan tour); MURIEL’S WEDDING; SISTER ACT (Dominion Theatre, Eventim Apollo, UK, Ireland and Australian tours); MY FAIR LADY; PIRATES LOVE UNDERPANTS (UK tour); THE MOUNTAINTOP (UK tour); THE WIZARD OF OZ (London Palladium, UK and Ireland tour); MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDRETTE (UK tour); THE LION INSIDE (UK tour); COME FROM AWAY (UK tour); GREASE (Dominion Theatre and UK tour); EVITA; THE OWL WHO CAME FOR CHRISTMAS (UK tour); AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN THE MUSICAL (UK tour); 42ND STREET (Sadler’s Wells, UK tour and Toronto); WHITE CHRISTMAS (Dominion Theatre and UK tour); RIDE; BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL; BEAUTIFUL – THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL (UK tour); THE COLOR PURPLE (UK tour); CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF (UK tour); METAMORPHOSIS (UK tour); SUNSET BOULEVARD (UK and Ireland tour); THE JUNGLE BOOK (UK and International tour); THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER; GIRAFFES CAN’T DANCE; WEST SIDE STORY; ON YOUR FEET! (London Coliseum and UK tour) and THE SECRET DIARY OF ADRIAN MOLE AGED 13¾ – THE MUSICAL (The Ambassadors Theatre). Streamed productions include THE COLOR PURPLE and SUNSET BOULEVARD.
Curve is supported using public funding by principal funder Arts Council England.
Tour Dates
16 – 19 July 2026
Leicester Curve
On sale
21-23 July 2026
Crewe Lyceum
On sale
https://trafalgartickets.com/lyceum-theatre-crewe/en-GB/event/family/dog-man-the-musical-tickets
29 July – 16 August 2026
Southbank Centre
Tickets from £20
Press performance: 4 August 2.30pm
On sale
https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/dog-man-the-musical
18 – 20 July 2026
Southend Palace
On sale
https://trafalgartickets.com/palace-theatre-southend/en-GB/event/family/dog-man-the-musical-tickets
24 – 26 August 2026
Hertford Beam
On sale
https://beamhertford.co.uk/whats-on/By-dog-man-the-musical
28 – 29August 2026
Wolverhampton Grand
On sale
https://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/dog-man-the-musical
4 – 5 September 2026
Eastbourne Devonshire Park
On sale
11 – 13 September 2026
Darlington Hippodrome
On sale
https://www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk/whats-on/Dog-Man-The-Musical
19 – 20 September
Torquay Princess Theatre
On sale
https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/dog-man-the-musical/princess-theatre-torquay
3 – 4 October 2026
Halifax Victoria
On sale
https://www.victoriatheatre.co.uk/whats-on/dog-man-musical
8-10 October 2026
Cambridge Arts Theatre
On Sale soon
16 – 17 October 2026
Cardiff Wales Millennium Centre
On sale
https://www.wmc.org.uk/en/whats-on/2026/dog-man-the-musical
22 – 25 October 2026
Fareham Live
On sale
https://trafalgartickets.com/fareham-live-fareham/en-GB/event/family/dog-man-the-musical-tickets
26 – 28 October 2026
Wycombe Swan
On sale
https://trafalgartickets.com/wycombe-swan-theatre/en-GB/event/family/dog-man-the-musical-tickets
Produced by Special Arrangement with TWTheatricals (Barbara Pasternack, Producing Artistic Director / Tegan Meyer, Managing Director).
Adapted from the books DOG MAN, DOG MAN UNLEASHED, DOG MAN A TALE OF TWO KITTIES, and DOG MAN LORD OF THE FLEAS by Dav Pilkey. Copyright © 2016, 2016, 2017, and 2018 by Dav Pilkey. Published by Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc.
About Dog Man The Dog Man books explore multi-generational family and champion empathy and doing good. The series follow the hilarious and heartwarming adventures of the “Supa Buddies”: Dog Man, a lovable canine superhero, and his friends Li’l Petey, a curious kitten who embodies love, optimism, and hope, and 80-HD, a robot who expresses himself best through his art. The series explores universally positive messages including kindness, compassion, and striving to become a better version of one’s self.
CAST BIOGRAPHIES
Richard Bissereth
Richener Bissereth is an American actor and singer based in London. He recently graduated from East 15 Acting School with an MFA in Acting (International) and previously earned a Bachelor of Music in Musical Theatre from the Manhattan School of Music.
His credits include Bobby in Company, Alfred Breihoff in Murdering Mary, and Talbot in Henry VI, Part 1 performed at Shakespeare’s Globe as part of an educational residency.
Richener is thrilled to be joining the UK tour of Dog Man: The Musical as Offstage CoverGeorge & Others / Harold & Others.
Shannon Bourne
Shannon is a graduate from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance.
Her theatre credits include the Becoming Nancy (Ens/cover Frances) at the Birmingham Rep, UK Tour of Stranger Sings (Swing), Do You Hear The People Sing (Along!) Concert and Be More Chill (Christine) both at The Old Joint Stock in Birmingham, Dick Whittington (Alice) at the Newbury Corn Exchange and Cinderella (Cinderella) at the Lichfield Garrick Theatre.
Shannon is super excited to explore the hilariously wonderful world of Dogman! Having always had a love for cartoons, Shannon can’t wait to step into the roles of Lil Petey and Flippy and bring them to life on stage. She would like to thank her amazing family for their continued support and love.
Represented by EJC Management.
Vanessa Dumatey
Training: Performers College.
Theatre credits include: I’m Every Woman (Hackney Empire & UK Tour), Jack and the Beanstalk (Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe), (Hairspray (UK Tour), Tina- The Tina Turner Musical (Aldwych Theatre, West End), Whitney- Queen of the Night (UK Tour), Tina: What’s Love Got to Do With It (UK Tour), Beauty and The Beast (New Theatre Royal Lincoln), Tavares Strachan’s In Plain Sight (AGV/Soloist), Turn Up London, Vanessa was featured in a Harry Styles music video as a dancer.
Television credits include: Britain’s Got Talent with I’m Every Woman (ITV), Pride of Britain (ITV) and Twickenham Rugby Clash (Mass Movement).
Social Media: @vanessadumatey
Sam Kipling
Training: The Guildford School of Acting.
Theatre includes: Swing/ 1st Cover Bamatabois/ 3rd Cover Factory Foreman in Les Misérables (Sondheim Theatre); Miss Violet Plumb in all-male The Mikado (Wilton’s Music Hall & UK Tour); Gilbert Chilvers in Betty Blue Eyes (Union Theatre); George in Tasting Notes (Southwark Playhouse); Josephine in all-male HMS Pinafore (Wilton’s Music Hall, Theatre Royal Winchester); Sir Clifford Chatterley in Lady Chatterley’s Lover
(Shaftesbury Theatre); Edith in all-male The Pirates of Penzance (Palace Theatre, Wilton’s Music Hall); Anri/ Olivia/ Bird in Mythosphere (Stone Nest); Charlie in The Habit of Art (The Lowry, Leeds Grand Theatre); Charlie Cricket in The Astonishing Adventures of Pinocchio (Hertford Theatre); Male Ensemble/ Cover Fairy Queen in all-male Iolanthe(UK Tour); Tenor in Thursford Christmas Spectacular (Thursford); Alf Mabberley in Brass the Musical (The Union Theatre).
Sam is represented by Russell Smith Associates Ltd and wishes to thank his friends and family for their love and support.
Workshops include: King Ralph (ATG Productions).
X: @SamKipling96
Instagram: @sam_kipling
Peter Lavery
Training – Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts
Theatre credits include – Becoming Nancy (Birmingham Repertory Theatre); Jack and the Beanstalk (Ipswich Regent Theatre); Jack and the Beanstalk (Hope Mill Theatre).
Credits whilst Training – Flounder in Disney’s The Little Mermaid; Peter in Bare: A Pop Opera.
Peter would like to send a special thanks to his family and friends for their never-ending support
@peter_lavery
Ricardo Mendes
Ricardo has recently graduated from Laine Theatre Arts. Previous credits include; Ensemble in Carmen (ENO London Coliseum), Ensemble and cover Pinocchio in Pinocchio (The Alhambra Theatre for Crossroads).
Ricardo would like to thank everyone that has supported him throughout his journey so far!
Rebecca-Jo Roberts
Training: The Oxford School of Drama, The National Youth Theatre.
Previous Credits: ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (The Theatre Chipping Norton), ‘Stalled: A New Musical’ (King’s Head Theatre), ‘The Gardening Club’ (Studio at New Wimbledon Theatre), ‘A Marvellous Party’ (Prince of Wales Theatre). Juvenile Credits include ‘Les Misérables’ (Sondheim Theatre) and ‘The Sound of Music’ (UK Tour).
Rebecca-Jo has also appeared in the short movement film ‘Kick Me Under the Table’ (IGM), toured with ‘The Fingask Follies’ Cabaret (2026) and was invited to take part in the Emma Rice Company Open Residency (2024).
Renan Teadoro
Renan Teodoro is a Brazilian-born performer who trained at The American College Dublin. He was recently seen as Buttons in Cinderella (2024 UK Panto Award Winner for Achievement in Theatre). Other theatre credits include: Anyone CanWhistle (Southwark Playhouse), I Am Harvey Milk (European Premiere), The Musical of Musicals: The Musical (Phoenix Arts Club), Sin: A New Musical (The Other Palace/The Union Theatre), and Rent (Phoenix Arts Club). He was also a featured performer at the 2025 WhatsOnStage Awards at the London Palladium. Renan is delighted to be stepping into the paws of such an iconic hero for this UK tour! He would like to thank Pearson Casting for their belief in him and everyone at Shannon & Bloom for their tireless work.
Robert Wilkes
Robert trained at London Studio Centre.
Stage credits: Dancer/Soldier in LA TRAVIATA (The Royal Opera House); Ruth/Dance Captain in ALL MALE PIRATE’S OF PENZANCE (Wilton’s Music Hall & UK Tour);Gus/Cover Old Deuteronomy and Resident Director in CATS (RCCL); Skimbleshanks/Cover Gus & Bustopher Jones in CATS (RCCL); Ensemble in CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG (UK & Ireland Tour & Leeds Playhouse); Professor in SOUTH PACIFIC, Swing in SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, Ensemble in ANYTHING GOES & MY FAIR LADY (Kilworth House Theatre); Nervy in SNOW WHITE (The Cliffs Pavilion, Southend); Blusher in SNOW WHITE (Wycombe Swan & Richmond Theatre); Dozy in SNOW WHITE (Darlington Hippodrome); Soloist/Swing Vocalist in THURSFORD CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR; Pinocchio in PINOCCHIO (Peterborough Key Theatre); Ensemble in 42nd STREET GALA (The London Palladium); Viigand/Understudy Arbiter in CHESS (Union Theatre); Izzy/Pompey in IMAGINE THIS (Union Theatre).
Television credits: Body Double and Tap Dancer in HARRY HILL’S TEA TIME (CPL Productions Ltd for Sky1).
Instagram: @robert36a
Robert is represented by Michelle Blair Management.
CREATIVE BIOGRAPHIES
Roast Productions
Roast Productions is a live entertainment company founded by Bonnie Royal and Michael Stevens, based in London and working internationally, focusing particularly on theatre, concerts and family entertainment, as well as offering general management and marketing consultancy services in the West End and beyond.
Recent projects include Duck Pond (Southbank Centre, London), Kinky Boots (London Coliseum); Virginia Gay’s Cyrano (Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh; Park Theatre, London; CAA Theatre, Toronto), The Seagull starring Cate Blanchett (Barbican Theatre, London), Quentin Blake’s Mrs Armitage on Wheels (Southbank Centre), an Australian tour of Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible is Going to Happen; Standing at the Sky’s Edge in partnership with the National Theatre & Various Productions (Gillian Lynne Theatre, West End), Vanya starring Andrew Scott (Duke of York’s Theatre, West End; Lortel Theatre, NYC), 2:22 A Ghost Story (Apollo Theatre, West End; Australia; & UK tour), Macbeth starring Ralph Fiennes & Indira Varma (Liverpool; Edinburgh; London; & Washington DC), Tyrell Williams’ Red Pitch (@sohoplace, West End), Christmas Actually curated by Richard Curtis (Southbank Centre, London), The 13-Storey Treehouse (UK tour) and the inaugural Wimbledon Children’s Festival (New Wimbledon Theatre).
Upcoming projects include Public The Musical (Leicester Curve), and Cirque Alice (Southbank Centre).
TWTheatricals/ TheaterWorksUSA
TWTheatricals is a new division of TheaterWorksUSA dedicated to creating fully produced, full-length works for multigenerational audiences, including the upcoming Dog Man: The Bark Knight production. TWUSA believes that access to art—and theater, in particular—is vital. Since 1967, the 501(c)3 not-for-profit has captured the imaginations of 100 million new and veteran theatergoers with an award-winning repertoire of over 140 original plays and musicals, including Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical, currently on tour. Acclaimed alumni include EGOT recipients Robert Lopez (Disney’s Frozen), Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land), Grammy Award winner Kristen Anderson-Lopez (Disney’s Frozen), and Mark Sonnenblick (KPop Demon Hunters). www.twusa.org | www.twtheatricals.com