Dick Whittington

Swanage Drama Company has pulled out all the stops to make this season one of their most memorable, and this family pantomime is surely one of their most successful yet.  Home-grown talents Pat Jones and Brian Travers have created a script to be proud of, with plenty of jokes and witty quips to keep the audience thinking and a host of colourful characters to provide the laughter. Keeping within the bounds of a traditional tale, whilst adding modern touches to appeal to a new audience, it was sometimes difficult to know whether the lines contained double-entendre by design, or whether the enthusiastic audience had found it for themselves.

King and Queen Rat made a dastardly couple, with their black Rock Show outfits and punky, guitar-playing Ratling children.  A brilliant addition, and brilliantly played, was elder brother Timothy, who is an out-and-out goody-goody.  Fairy Bow-Bells was engaging and delivered her lines expressively and clearly, enjoying the modern banter and indulging in a little self-mockery.  Whittington was played in classic thigh-slapping mode, speaking out boldly and enjoying the extremely corny first meeting with the sweet but strong Alice.  Madame Sherree Gateau, with her sultry voice and seductive manner, was glamour personified.   Idle Jack was well-played, so that he had enough energy to be interesting, whilst giving the definite (and deliberate) impression that he really couldn’t be bothered - until he met the not-so-icy Lolly.  There was slick dialogue from Captain Who, What and Why.  The Yeti was a favourite with the audience.  The Chorus of Villagers, Sailors and Polaroids spanned the full age-range; they responded well to Dick Whittington and were kept busy with dancing, singing, deck-swabbing and inhabiting the Polar Ice Cap.  Tom Cat used great energy and physicality to create a lively and fun-loving character.  With his querulous voice and boundless energy, Alderman Fitzwarren was hugely eccentric and entertaining: he was the perfect link-man, effortlessly and hilariously guiding us through the plot: the ‘Old Harry Rock’ sequence was especially well done. 

Songs were catchy and familiar, with ‘All I Ask of You’ (Dick and Alice) a particular highlight. With choreography designed to stretch them to the limit, the Company threw themselves into the routines and sang with gusto.  The cleverly-choreographed cutlass fight between Whittington and King Rat was well-executed, and Tom’s pas-de-deux with King Rat was hilarious.

Costumes were well-presented and nicely-made, the traditional sailor suits looking particularly smart, and traditional outfits for Dick, Alice and Fitzwarren exactly as we would want them to be; Sherree took advantage of her extensive (and exceedingly glamorous) wardrobe and numerous quick-changes to make a vast number of grand entrances; Fairy Bow-Bells sparkled and looked magical; the Rats and Ratlings looked menacing in their rock outfits, while Timothy Rat, with his contrasting white fur, blazer, cap and tie was every inch the perfect schoolboy; the icy blue and white of the Polaroid Courtiers of Queen Vanilla was suitably Arctic; Tom’s quirky outfit of tailcoat and sheepskin slippers worked well.

The set was simple, largely suggested by painted backdrops and an upstage rostrum, which gave ample room for the large number onstage to enjoy the action.  The opening tableau of London was very attractive. The Polar scene was made chilly with cool lighting and a fragmented, icy gobo – quite a challenge when set in front of warm red tabs.  Everyone enjoyed the shipwreck scene, with staggering crew-members, lightning and thunder; haze, lights and gobos were used to good effect throughout the show: haze and moving lights made ‘All I Ask of You’ particularly attractive.  Barring one mic failure, vocals and sound effects were clear throughout.

The hard work of many years came to fruition in this presentation by an enthusiastic company of all ages: a colourful, warm and entertaining family show.

 

 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.