DICK WHITTINGTON

After three years of absence, Alnwick Theatre Club returned to the Playhouse Stage with a bang!. DICK WHITTINGTON is traditional family pantomime at it’s very best.

Tom Whalley’s superb script was brought to life (or should I say larger than life) by a very talented cast of ‘old hands’ and new faces; and how wonderful to see continuation through this process. I’m sure the future of this group is assured.

You can just tell when a panto audience is up for it. This one certainly was; as was evident right from the first beat of music. Participation was, undoubtedly the name of the game. Children of all ages (including this reviewer) were totally involved…

Directing a pantomime is no mean feat… but to direct, choreograph and star in the title principal role is a mammoth task. Helen Gee-Graham did all of this superbly… she deserves some kind of medal… gold, I think. Well done Helen !.

Speaking of the principals, the stand-out performance for me was Jimmy Dodds in the part of Dame Maureen the Cook. His characterisation was superbly comfortable and his stage presence is fantastic. He was totally at home; no matter what situation was presented – quips from the audience or improvisation with his fellow actors – he took it all in his stride with ease and always with the comedic response. All delivered in the Geordie vernacular. Worth the ticket price on his own. Congratulations Jimmy !.

Peter Biggers was ‘nasty’ King Rat – totally booed and hissed at all night. An excellent performance. As was James Mawers’ Idle Jack. This young man will go far. He was an ideal foil for his stage mother Maureen.

The supporting cast were all very good and nicely played… Julie Vint as Fairy Bow Bells, Philippa Mawer as Alice Fitzwarren, Archie Braid as her Alderman father, Honey Hughes as Pussy Galore, Carol Lawrence as the Sultan of Morocco and Adam Bell as the very athletic Mighty Gorilla. Congratulations to them all.

A handsome looking chorus supplied lusty singing and excellent movement and the Alnwick Academy of Dance entertained us with some cracking dancing; very apt and enhancing the storyline.

The colourful backcloths and stage props were very well managed by Virginia Mayes-Wright, assisted by Mick Grant and the crew; especially when the cloths cannot fly out and have to be wiped. All nicely and seamlessly done. Furthermore, the lighting design by Andy Hunt and sound engineering by Matthew Slack and Cath Hughes added to the success of the production. I particularly liked the ‘sinking’ effects.

This was a colourfully costumed show, with ingenuity, dazzle and sparkle, so congratulations to the costume team of Hilary Waugh, Karina Biggers and Christine Allcorn for their efforts.

All in all, a superb night’s entertainment.

Get a ticket for this, you will not be disappointed.

Many thanks for the invitation. I’m sorry I couldn’t stay and meet you all personally. I look forward to your next production when, hopefully this can happen.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.