Dick Whittington

What a great traditional pantomime we all enjoyed with a very good line-up of talented principals with a lively chorus and dancers to deliver it all, funny lines and good comedy, well chosen and well delivered music, and above all a fantastic pace keeping the whole production moving smoothly. Dick Whittington was an ideal choice for the LMCS’s annual pantomime. There were plenty of principal roles, all of which were played with gusto and vigour.

In the title role, Kelly Manchee was a real find with personality, looks, style and voice, she carried the story along well and worked in good partnership with the charming Alice Fitzwarren  Saxona Woolgar. I loved both their main duets, ‘Could I have this kiss for ever’ and ‘Think I want to Marry You’. Cheeky Thomasina the Cat, Jade Wadey, was a favourite with the audience, and I particularly enjoyed the combination of her song with Dick ‘You’ve got a Friend in Me’ which followed shortly after a delightful version of ‘I taut I taw a Puddy Tat’ performed with a great team of children. The traditional ‘good and evil’ were well realised with a delightful Fairy Bowbells, Claire Bennett, more than balanced by that big and dominating ‘baddy’ King Rat Barry Bastible in a superb display visually and vocally with his Ratlings in support.

This pantomime was very strong on the comedy front, not missing a trick with the many characters in that line-up. I loved the dame, Dolly Dumpling, Johnathan Groves, with his wonderful costume changes and interactions with the rest of the cast and the audience, a proper Dame, he was swift on cue with timing and fun and great pace in feeding the lines so the repartee sparkled; so much talent displayed there adding to the overall enjoyment of the show.

Humour and gags were abundant between the assured couplings of Alderman Fitzwarren, Ian Weston, and Idle Jack Luke Scattergood and Captain Cuttlefish, John Carroll, and Scupper, Louis Searle. Meg Attrill stepped out of the chorus to become the Sultana of Morocco and likewise Karen Maitland as a mermaid to good effect. With the invaluable support of the chorus and dancers this production couldn’t fail but delight the enthusiastic audience, who ably joined in whenever they could. The lively music was well chosen, playing to the strengths of both principals and chorus alike, all accompanied by a well-rehearsed band. The traditional set was nicely lit, and was complimented by the colourful costumes. All in all an enjoyable production which chased away the post-Christmas blues. Well done to all 

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