Dick Whittington

I was kindly invited to attend the annual “play for children’ presented by Codsall Dramatic Society.

The play was staged in the round and the closeness of the actors to the audience created an immediate connection from the very first moment that the lead character Dick Whittington appeared, played by the very capable Nathan Coley, to the moment the entire cast took their well deserved bows.

There are some essential characters in this story, Alice Fitzwarren (Sammi Rhead), her father Alderman Fitzwarren (John Bingham), Sarah the cook (Paula Lavan), King Rat (Andy Cholerton), the Ship’s Captain (Wayne Jones) and of course, a cat called Lucky (Fiona Bingham).

There was a number of lovely cameos such as the Farmer’s wife performed by a very formidable Rachael Goodson and the delightful Empress of Sarrakesh (Clair Austin).

The play was most enjoyable (even as an adult) as the small audience was encouraged to clap, cheer, sing and join in as much as possible. There are very few groups that have the ability to present a play for children and keep them fully engaged through out its entirety but the constant change in pace, the multiple entrances and exits on and off the stage really did keep everyone focused and waiting for the next part of the story to unfold. Well done to Director Wendy Peterson and Co-Director Colin Peterson for keeping the action flowing.

I took the opportunity to ask a few of the families in the audience what they had enjoyed the most and they all said, ‘when the Rats were being chased’. They had also enjoyed the scene leading up to the moment when the Cook had been discouraged to sit down by Footman (Adam Davies) and Sally (Nic Tildesley) before receiving the consequences of sitting on a very squidgy cake.

The performers were kept busy with multiple changes in character and costumes, and the society worked well together in creating the magic of some memorable scenes including being at sea in a storm, a sailors’ hornpipe dance and creating an invasion of intimidating rats.

Special praise needs to be given to Brigid O’Connor for playing the part of Queen Rat at short notice and the support of her accompanying performers to ensure that the show could go on.

The full company including lighting and sound deserve praise in bringing together and creating a magical evening for all ages.

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