Dick Whittington

It's February half-term, it must be panto time for Cheadle Amateur Theatrical Societies.Their latest production is Dick Whittington written by Dame Ian W. Wood.

Opening with Ye Olde Boris, Mayor of London set the bar high, Andrew Farrington's multiple character appearances peppered throughout the show, Ratbo (Rambo); The Stig; Town Crier a clever distraction for scene changes

This show was a real laughter fest, the running gags in particular CHAYDUL in the Moors, the Dame's leakages and adlibs thereof were hilarious, even the sideways walk for prompting could have been written as Ian made it part of the act. Working the audience like a pro, causing much amusement and mayhem with his fellow cast members as he went.

Caroline Stokes as Dick Whittington travelled to London to seek her fortune played the role for laughs as did the other cast members, which might seem an unusual statement for a panto, other shows I've seen over the years almost seem to control who is allowed to be funny, this was different in the way that anyone on stage came out with comic lines, which was to the good.

Kitty, Dick's trusty cat played by Charlotte Potts, met along the way foraging in the bins, that's Kitty not Dick, was suitably feline and playful.

Crusty Bun aided and abetted by brother Creamy, Sara Walker and Brad Goodfellow respectively tried Dame Beyonce Bun's patience at every turn to great effect, although Creamy seemed a late arrival in some ways.

Alice Spooner Fitzwarren, Dick's love interest played by Amii Sawyer was a delight, her tongue tied Rice and Mats will I'm no doubt stick.

Prince Rat, Jason Greenwood, suitably evil, I loved his rendition of Alice Cooper's No More Mr Nice Guy, his Ratty Henchmen could have been used more I felt in the number rather than just playing air guitar.

Fairy Bo'Belle, Alice Foggarty, Prince Rat's nemesis, guiding Dick and his faithful cat Kitty, Charlotte Potts, to thwart the evil tyrants plans for Rat domination.

Dan Ede Smith as Mr. Spooner Fitzwarren managed to almost get his own back on Dame Beyonce's riotous off-script moments, when at one of the said leakage moments he produced a yellow 'caution wet floor' sign to the proceedings which had the audience suitably amused.

Director, Rebekah Joy Snow has got a great team of people, collectively all working towards giving us the groups best, the supporting cast and dancers were used effectively, possibly could have been used more, adding good light and shade amidst the hilarity. Good costumes, Well lit and excellent sound. Imaginative use of an iconic blue coloured space and time travelling device in which to travel back to London Town.

One of the things I particularly love about pantomime as a genre, is how it naturally evolves as it runs, the jokes get slicker, the nuances, the adlibs, the asides all create an atmosphere of a very traditional British style of stage production; very much against modern trends, completely un-pc but all the better for being so. Long may it live.

 

 

 

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