Dick Whittington

A big thankyou to CHAOS Music and Drama for inviting me to see their latest production; an original script pantomime, Dick Whittington, at the Drill Hall Chepstow. Director and script writer Marianne Bowen has successfully captured the essence of the traditional panto and brought it to life with some very well-chosen musical numbers that were all the better for being technically enhanced, giving a full sound throughout.

Dick Whittington played by Isla Richards, maintained the heroic stance of the principal boy throughout the performance, with clear vocals, excellent body posture and a smile that never faltered. An excellent panto character. Well, done.

A hero must have his heroine and Tayla Robinson playing Alys gave a lovely performance. Sometimes sweet and sometimes feisty but always in character.

Oscar Robson as Idle jack gave a very sound portrayal of the lazy boy and alongside his excentric mother “Sally the cook” played by Dylan Michal, they were a good comedy duo. Dylan gave the audience everything they would expect from the Panto Dame and quickly set up a good rapport with the everyone on and off the stage. A role played with gusto and good comic timing with some very funny adlib moments.

A very sassy “Cat “ was created in the performance by Lou Reynolds. It was very different and very entertaining. Great characterisation of a furry friend. Well, done.

There was nothing lovable and furry about King Rat, played by Amanda Osborne. The Panto experience is never the same without a villain to “Boo” and Amanda did not let us down.

A big well done to our Good Fairy played by Natasha Kus, who quite literally saved the day taking over at very short notice when the original fairy Natalie Bowen became ill. Well, done Natasha a true professional.

I must mention the Cheesy Trio  [Blue] played by Angela Power  [MJ] played by Anwen Pugh and [Big] played by Rhys Willingham. Good characterisation that worked really well alongside the terror of King Rat.

Well, done to all supporting members in your individual roles Adrian Butress [Queenie] Phillipa Hickey [Alderman] Mia Haeffner [Jim Beano]   Hazel Guppy [Captain Morgan]

My congratulations to all the cast members and backstage crew for all your hard work. Here’s to the next show.

 

The views in this report are solely of the author.

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