Dick Whittington

This was a traditional village Panto from The Orchard Players and they achieved that standard with ease and with participation and familiarity between cast and audience being so apparent.  It had all the familiar characters and we meet Fairy Bowbells (Sandie Finbow) as she casts her magic ensuring  good reigns over evil. Daniel Johnson played the larger than life Ratface, King of the Rats and he really captured this nasty character as he engages with the audience in comedic fashion.  His seven little rats all looked good with their black noses and all matching fluffy headpieces and tails as they ran around the stage with plenty of energy.  They were played by  Evelyn, Matilda, Amelia, Eleanor, Kaiya, Eleanor and Lana. Well done girls.

Lola Miller is Jack, a comedy role she played with confidence and energy as she communicates well with the audience.  We also meet Alderman Fitzwarren, (Kerry Broom) and his sweet daughter Alice played by Ava Robinson-Rogers. The Alderman’s shop is not doing very well and is overrun with rats so along comes Dick Whittington (Gracie Seager) with his trusty cat Tommy, (Kacie Johnson).  Gracie looked good as principal boy, a part she played with warmth and enthusiasm and who worked well together with her furry friend Tommy. For me Tommy stole the show, this young character was full of life, energy and totally living the part as she ran around chasing off all the Rats.

Other main principal characters included Gavin Ostler as Captain Cod and Fiona Rogers as Skate The Mate. She is a natural comedian both physically and vocally (loved the wriggling fish!!)  who contrasted well with the more staid  character of the Captain, a good combination.  Len Stockdale as Sarah Suet, the Dame in this Panto, played  his role very nicely and  worked well communicating with the audience. Innuendos were tastefully delivered and very funny.  The adult chorus were lively and enthusiastic in their singing and dancing of the musical numbers managing the restricted stage area very well.  There were also some good and very well sung songs with small groups of principals including ‘Me and my shadow’ which rounded off Act 1.

A lot of thought had gone into the different dance routines and there was also a well choreographed fight scene with Dick and  Ratface.  The costumes which were either specifically made for this show or from the Society’s wardrobe were good and colourful, particularly all the costumes in the Sultan’s palace scene.  

The set  worked well with each scene seamlessly changed to keep up a good pace. This was also helped with the good use of the front apron and  the different tab lines.

All credit to Ray and Rob in directing and for all the hard work of the production team in bringing this Panto to life.  Well done to all the cast for giving us and their many friends and family in the audience an enjoyable evening  which was shown by their appreciation and enthusiastic applause throughout.

NODA owns the intellectual Property Rights to the content of all show reports written by NODA Councilors, Reps and Assistant Reps.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.