Broadcaster Vanessa Feltz led a host of celebrities donning sparkling cat ears at a special family screening of Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie at Vue Leicester Square on Sunday. She was joined by well-known figures including Vogue Williams, Heidi Range, Laura Tobin, Strictly Come Dancing professional Nadiya Bychkova, former TOWIE star Sam Faiers and presenter Sarah-Jane Crawford for the colourful event, which brought DreamWorks’ much-loved animated series to life on the big screen.
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After walking the glittering pink carpet, guests and their families were invited to meet a life-sized Gabby character before heading inside for a variety of themed activities. Children enjoyed decorating cat-shaped gingerbread biscuits, having mini hair makeovers with bright clip-in accessories and face jewels, and taking part in colouring-in sessions. Rainbow-swirled cupcakes inspired by Gabby’s baking friend Cakey added to the fun, creating a playful atmosphere that delighted younger fans and parents alike.
The film follows Gabby (voiced by Laila Lockhart Kraner), her grandmother Gigi (Gloria Estefan), Pandy Paws and their friends as they embark on a road trip to “Cat Francisco”. When mischievous CatRat accidentally detaches the dollhouse from their van, it tumbles down the city’s hilly streets and lands in the possession of cat-lover Vera (Kristen Wiig) and her cheeky feline companion Marlena. Gabby and Pandy must shrink down to rescue their friends, setting off on a heart-warming adventure filled with humour, music and valuable life lessons.
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Lockhart Kraner, now 17, was just 11 when she was first cast as Gabby in 2020, when the series debuted on Netflix. “It’s really exciting that we’re finally seeing Gabby step outside of her room,” she said. “I think children will love going on this wild ride with me.” She also spoke about the importance of representation, noting that many parents have told her their children now feel more confident embracing their natural curls after seeing Gabby on screen. Gabby’s Dollhouse: The Movie opens in UK cinemas on 16 October, perfectly timed for the half-term holidays.
