Dick Whittington

“Dick Whittington” by Gail Lowe

Production given by Honiton Community Theatre Company

Performance:  The Beehive, Honiton, Devon          Saturday 22nd February 2020

Reviewed by:  Nick Lawrence, Past President standing in for Regional Representative 6: Tricia Barclay

In the midst of some rubbish weather, it was good to sit down with a full house in Honiton’s Beehive for three hours of fun and laughter.  This version of the well-known story had all the traditional features: all presented with high energy and thorough entertainment for all ages.  There was a wonderful varied palette of musical contributions: all sympathetically scored for a four-piece band.  The contribution of this quartet added greatly to the overall delivery of the songs which often boasted strong harmonies and clear words.

After the traditional opening of good versus evil, the cast burst forth with a bright foot-tapping number accompanied with exuberant choreography.  An octet of energetic dancers fronted this and other ensemble numbers with some very lively routines which had been well conceived and rehearsed to achieve a pleasing unity.  Although the dancers took centre stage around them the ensemble gave equally energetic performances ensuring each number was fully entertaining.  Naturally in this pantomime, the Rats are the stars.  HCTC boasts a goodly company of youngsters who made up the army of servants to King Rat.  Imaginative direction gave this group plenty to do and it was pleasing to see each individual maintaining their character and playing out each scene.  The principal characters were included in the movement and kept up well.

Décor was excellent throughout with the numerous scenes given a variety of scenery, attractively painted and operated efficiently and quietly.  From the Dame’s cottage with operational door and window to the opulence of the Sultana’s boudoir the audience was taken to a wide variety of locations.  The use of some projected backgrounds instead of constant cloths worked extremely well.  Each scene was enhanced by a kaleidoscope of costumes produced by a hard working wardrobe team.  Outfits suited each character individually but kept to each scene’s theme despite the multitude of requirements.

The comedy was nicely spread out among the principals with all of them “having a turn”.  It was presented without fuss and so there was plenty of laughter.  Each gag had been well rehearsed and the pleasing lack of self-indulgent ad-libbing kept everything moving and the audience laughing.  The Dame’s direct approach without un-necessary feminine frippery worked beautifully.   I and Spy made an excellent partnership with experience and youth playing off each other seamlessly.  The camel disguise was a stroke of genius and was operated most successfully.  This gag was taken to the limit but did not step over the line.  This version of the story has the slightly random inclusion of the guide captain.  This role was beautifully played in excellent contrast to the slightly dour Alderman and Botswain.   The traditional kitchen scene was nicely played with all the expected gags and an excellent exploding oven!  This was a really good example of the teamwork that made this production so successful.   The Sultana squeezed every bit of humour out of the script and her relentless search for a willing male gave rise to some great comedy especially the chase sections: supported by a very sporting gentleman!

Although comedy is the basis of all successful pantomimes, the presentation hangs on the quality of the baddies.  HCTC sported a brilliant team of evil characters from the glam-dram Esmeralde to her nasty henchman King Rat.  They made a great team supported by the army of rats.  The slightly ambiguous Sultan also enjoyed torturing the principals aided by a beautifully stiff Jeeves (very brave in the face of excessive custard pies).  The dungeon scene worked very well thanks to some controlled acting from the principal characters.   

While the performers all worked hard, they were generously supported by a large production team.  From lighting effects, clear sound enhancement and smooth set changes to efficient Front of House care and hard-working chaperones everyone contributed towards the success of the whole.  The audience’s enthusiastic involvement in the traditional Community Song was nicely handled and reflected the inclusive nature of the membership and the presentation.  The company on and off stage includes people of varied ages and talents and the direction and choreography encourages and embraces every member.  To this end the audience is also involved and easily made part of the whole. 

This was amateur entertainment for the local community at its most professional.  A wonderful evening.

 

Nick Lawrence

24th February 2020 

 

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