Dick Whittington

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Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance, and it is inevitable that his assessment will be effected by that knowledge.

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular the performance viewed.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances, and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

Report by Angus Sheppard-Hughes SW Regional Representative District 16

It’s been a while since I have watched a panto that reminded me of my first time on stage. Just the 5 basics of a great panto to start out with: The Hero; The Villain; The “Damsel in Distress”/Love Interest; The Side-Kick and The Dame. The great thing about Dick Whittington is that you actually get more classic characters, and that was no exception in this home-grown panto, where the addition of a “Fairy Godmother” and a “Hapless Older Character” which in this case was Captain Cockles but is often a king or father figure. All of these characters can only mean one thing to me: A Hilarious Panto.

The set and lighting were very fitting with the show, and although there were little errors with microphones and the sound, generally the technical side was really well rounded and complimented the performance. The writing was very tongue-in-cheek just as it is mean to be, and the jokes were written well to match the humour in the rest of the show. With the Choreography, I was very surprised to see almost the entirety of “Brand New Day” and even I was out of breath by the end of it, but I think you had the right cast and stage size for it so as they say, if you got it, flaunt it! The remainder of the choreo was well fitting too, and the Direction was well executed leading the audience through the story in a way that made sense. The Musical Direction was also well done, and I could hear those harmonies coming out, and the ONLY thing I would mention about this is that “Bad” was too long and could definitely do with a little chopped off the end of the song, although I can see why it was kept as having the kids dressed as rats dancing around the stage was adorable!

When it comes to the characters, I have very little to say as I was caught up watching the performance rather than writing down notes about you all, which I promise is a good thing because you are all so captivating. But what I do have is…

Dick Whittington you played the hero of Dick so well, and I hate to say it but sadly the hero is the most basic person in the panto, which you fit to a tee. That sounds horrible but truly you nailed it, you were funny, you carried the story along and you got the audience going. Being such a young actor, you held yourself well and did not come across like a young actor. I must commend your skills of listening to the audience and what they want, because you had the most opportunities to do this and did it so well. Congrats!

Penny you weren’t the usual “Damsel in Distress” role, but you had all the hallmarks of one. You played the character as a very sweet girl, who was very generous both in the show and as an actor as you set up other peoples jokes brilliantly, which is not an easy thing to do well. You had some strong vocals but I could tell you needed to warm up a bit more before your first solo lines so don’t be afraid to take a little bit of time to yourself and give your voice what it needs to warm up.

Dame Dotty as the Dame, you classically get a large percentage of the jokes/gags, then add on top that you are the writer and can decide which jokes/gags you get…I would’ve given myself all the best ones! But you were not only fair with the joke set ups and punchlines, but you were a very generous actor and gave others great opportunities and space to also be as funny as you. That being said, you did have the most risqué jokes and it was fun to watch all the PC grandads shiver when hearing a double-entendre.

Fairy Bowbelles your fairy was magical and fantastical, but overall you were the perfect level of animated for this panto and your rivalry with Queen Rat from the beginning was excellent.

Queen Rat you led the kids in your ensemble of rat villains really well! The songs you had were classic bad guy songs (get it?!) but you put your own twist on it which gave the audience, especially the parents of the kids, something to feel good about even though they were rooting against you. A textbook villain and a great one at that!

Captain Cockles The captain has a slightly smaller role in the panto but nonetheless, is important. I will never forget your face in the 12 days of shipwreck when eventually by the end you had the whole audience in stitches as well as the rest of the cast. You and Dotty played havoc with Matty, Penny and Dick during the song which just showed how well versed you were with the script and the song and that is exactly what panto is all about.

Matty ahhh, a cheeky chappy who I took to liking immediately. I did think at some point that the character themselves could be a bit redundant but you did an excellent job bringing a minor character to life, and your rapport with Captain, Dick and Penny was wonderful. You did a marvellous job.

Puss in boots, I was told even before the show that you were someone to watch and boy were they right! You never had a pointless moment on the stage and you filled all your time there with something to do, even if it was giving some REALLY sarcastic faces at jokes that Dick had made or some euphemism that Dotty said. I came away saying that you were my favourite Puss in boots I had seen, and I still stick by that fact. Brilliant job!

Oh, and lastly the Ensemble, from the dancers who did a brilliant job in that seemingly never-ending opening number, to the background actors making the stage look the part and all the way through to the kids as the brilliant posse to the villain, you made this panto look so professional and it was your heart you put into it that was evident throughout. I must say I spoke to one member of the dance ensemble afterwards as you just stood out to me and I couldn’t take my eyes off you. You were the embodiment of the story that gets told to the ensemble every show, “someone in the audience will be watching you at any one point”, and you took every opportunity you could without upstaging your cast mates. You will go far in the world of AmDram!

Thank you so much to CLOGS and CLOGETTES and I can’t wait to see what you do next!

These comments solely reflect the view of the representative and can only relate to the performance seen.

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