Dick Whittington

What an evening as we watched two busloads of primary school children file into the hall: told to interact, they obeyed instructions to the full with huge amounts of energy and noise, great squeals of excitement, and certainly turned this into an experience of first time theatre for many. Will the cast be able to follow this for the other performances?

This team knew exactly how to extract the most from this Ben Crocker script, the story just as it should be for the children. A very nasty baddy in King Rat from Josh Francis, always such a good part to play through the boos. A controlling and friendly Fairy Bowbells from Joan Hocking and so we knew the score. Add an endearing and very agreeable Tommy the Cat beautifully portrayed by Isla Butcher and we were on the way.

Tall and slim, long legs in ‘over the knees’ boots, Dick Whittington a perfect principal boy from Beth Robertson as she journeyed to London to seek fortune and meet the Fitzwarrens. A very good relationship and good blending singing with Lizzi Taylor as Alice. Add in the not so bright Idle Jack from Jack Morter, sadly in love with Alice but not making the grade whilst Tommy in the mix. A strong personality, great fun, all the tricks, Tom Key as Sarah the Cook, a great performance with the humour, he always comes out top on this Buckenham stage.

But not this time! Playing the twins Alderman Fitzwarren and Captain Horatio Fitzwarren in a tour de force, Zac Sowter just dominated this production. Strong personalities and excellent powerful singing throughout, he led the very slick company routines, definitely must have been quite exhausting. This amazing teamwork showed that it is unnecessary to have a huge cast when there is such strength in the talents, fast and furious as we sped through the story and how the audience reacted and joined in throughout.

What a great evening and many congratulations to all in the company.

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