Dermot O’Leary’s bestselling children’s book series is leaping from page to stage in a new family production featuring puppetry and original songs.
Little Angel Theatre, Mercury Theatre Colchester and Mayflower Southampton have unveiled the world premiere stage adaptation of “Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape,” based on the popular children’s book by broadcaster Dermot O’Leary and illustrated by Nick East, published by Hachette Children’s Group.
The “Toto the Ninja Cat” series, based on O’Leary’s real-life pets, has sold more than half a million copies globally and been translated into 17 languages.
The story follows Toto, an almost completely blind cat with incredible ninja skills, who must use her courage and cunning to stop a deadly King Cobra that has escaped onto the streets of London, alongside her cheeky brother Silver.
The stage rights were acquired from Hachette Children’s Group in a deal negotiated between Sarah Lennon Galavan, head of licensing for Hachette Children’s Group, and Samantha Lane, artistic director of Little Angel Theatre, and Natasha Rickman, artistic director of Mercury Theatre.
The production will be adapted and directed by Lane, with music and lyrics by Barb Jungr. The duo previously collaborated on “The Smartest Giant in Town,” which received an Olivier nomination for Best Family Show in 2023.
Set, costume and puppet design will be by Little Angel associate director Oliver Hyman, who recently won a special Fringe Theatre Award for exceptional services to puppetry. Lighting design is by Sherry Coenen.
O’Leary, who currently co-presents ITV’s “This Morning” on Fridays, is best known for hosting “The X Factor” from 2007 to 2018. He also presents BBC Radio 2’s Saturday morning breakfast show.
“I’m over the moon to see my book brought to life through puppetry,” said O’Leary. “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.”
Lane and Jungr added: “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. Led by a stellar creative team, the production promises brilliant songs, imaginative puppetry, and an abundance of surprises for audiences of all ages.”
The musical will open at Mercury Theatre Colchester April 2-18, 2026, followed by runs at Little Angel Theatre London (May 16-July 19) and Mayflower Studios (July 23-26). Additional tour stops include Bristol Redgrave (July 28-30), Birmingham Town Hall (Aug. 15-16), Weymouth Pavilion (Aug. 18-19), Guildford Yvonne Arnaud (Aug. 20-23) and Capital Theatres (Oct. 23-25), with further dates to be announced.
