Dick Whittington

Dick Whittington ...a traditional pantomime presented by Orrell Musical & Dramatic Society at St John’s C of E Primary School, Pemberton Nr Wigan on Friday 7th February, 2025

The legend of "Dick Whittington and his Cat" is one of England's most famous folk tales, and there is evidence to suggest that the pantomime version of the story, that still delights audiences today, was being played in much the same form in the 17th century. Dick was a poor boy who lived in the days of Edward III and who came to London expecting to find the streets "paved with gold". Unfortunately, the best he could manage was employment as a ‘scullion’ in the kitchen of a wealthy merchant, Mr Fitzwarren. Bullied by the cook, and plagued by the mice and rats that infested his attic, the poor lad was thoroughly miserable. Hoping to deal at least with the latter of his problems, he bought himself a cat, which soon rid his room of the troublesome furry pests.

Production Team... this version of the famous folk tale was written and directed by Andrew Southern and what a good job he made with the narrative.  Plenty of comedy, plenty of one-liners and plenty of local references to add to the humour, well done Andrew, good job sir!  Natasha Ralston and Steph Stevens (Choreographers) did a great job with the choreography.  Simple yet effective choreography was used throughout.  Leading the musical side of everything we had the ever-present Linda Scott (Musical Director and Piano Player extraordinaire).  Linda had Judith Oakes on keys, Stephen Turner on Guitar) and Nick Woods on Drums. As ever, Linda had gathered some great musicians who supported the cast ever so well with all the musical numbers of which there were some outstanding ones especially ‘The Mars Bar Song’ which involved several characters singing together, cleverly produced, spectacularly delivered and which brought the house down!  Well done folks... great job!

Cast.... this was a ‘first-time venture’ for Orrell Musical & Dramatic Society a pantomime!  All I can say if this was a first attempt ... then you really do need to make it an annual feature in your programme, cos it was REALLY GOOD!   We had a strong cast of twenty-two, BUT this wasn’t a production made good by an individual, this was a production made good by the ‘WHOLE’!  Every cast member looked happy, engaged and really well rehearsed fulfilling everything that had been thrown at them!  There were some good characters created, but the success was definitely down to ‘cast togetherness’ ... it was written across all your faces!  So, who did what?  Let’s start with ‘Dick Whittington’ shall we, played by Jude Asbridge; Jack’s Cat ‘Bobby’ was played by Amber Lowe. The ‘other love’ of Jack’s life ‘Alice Fitzwarren’ was played by Shannon O’Brien...  her father, ‘Alderman Fitzwarren’ was played by Peter Carletti. The Fitzwarren Family cook; ‘Sarah the Cook’ (our Dame) was played by Stephen Carletti. Sarah’s on/ off boyfriend, ‘Jack Idle’ was played by Steven Ascroft. The ‘Nasty Pasty’ ... ‘King Rat’ was played by David Simm.  To even things up, we had a good fairy... ‘Fairy Cracker’ played by Corrina Connor.  Emily Reeder and Alex King were the leaders of the ‘ship’s crew’ ... ‘Captain Beahab’ and ‘Mr Mate’ respectively with the ‘Sultan’ and the ‘Sultana’ being played by Ray Sims and Rachel McGunigle respectively. Sarah Farley and Natasha Ralston played ‘Carrie’ and ‘Stan Dupp’ and ‘Doll’ and ‘Bob Dupp’ respectively ... kind of a Comedy Duo.  The ‘Chorus Members’, who supported the ‘principals’ ever so well, included Steven Webster, Mildred Sims, Janet Malone, Carol Waring, Carol Clayton, Elaine Eccles, Steph Stevens and finally two new members to the Orrell team ... Stephen Kirk, Kate Bradbury... well done everyone, you all worked ever so well together!
 As you know by now, even though I’ve suggested the success of this production was down to ‘team togetherness’ I’m never one to sit on the fence, so I’d like now to give a few shout outs to MY favourite characters, my ‘terrific three’ ... you’ll have your own favourites but these are mine!  Having been a Pantomime Dame myself for the past thirty-one years ... I really would like to ‘heap some praise’ on Stephen Carletti as he stepped out, for the very first time, in the dresses, the bra, the tights and the wigs!  Stephen did a great job with the role of ‘Sarah the Cook’.  Loved the huge character created, the mannerisms, the facial expressions and if I’m honest, this was a performance very much ‘Churnside Esq’, which is meant as a compliment by the way!  Loved the song and the dance routine with ‘Jack’ to ‘Big Spender’, loved the ‘little black number’, although I would suggest this routine should have an ‘X’ rated label attached ... loved it ahahah!  Good interactions with the audience, some great one liners be proud Stephen... good job!  From one Stephen to another ... Steven Ascroft did a great job with Sarah’s on off boyfriend.... ‘Idle Jack’. Loved the laid-back approach, but Steven was very confident creating this totally believable character who became an audience favourite. Loved the ‘arithmetic equation’ well worked and appreciated by the audience, well done Steven.  Final ‘shout out’ ... just loved, loved, loved, loved ‘Bobby the Cat’ played ever so well by Amber Lowe. What a wonderful feline character created! Confident, assured, mannerisms and facial expressions aplenty ... whenever she appeared on stage you just knew mayhem wasn’t far behind.  Loved the scene and the song where ‘Bobby’ sings and dances the ‘Stray Cat Strut’ really was a ‘highlight’!  Loved the costume, loved the ‘cheeky face’ and those little black ears trimmed with white, if I’m honest, Amber almost stole the show for me... be very proud Amber, loved your work!   Please, if you haven’t featured in the ‘three’ please don’t think you weren’t seen or noticed... as I say, the success of the performance was down to YOU ALL pulling together ... BE PROUD ORRELL, be proud!

Stage/Tech/Set ... I think I’m right in suggesting that this was a ‘new venue’ or it was a ‘new venue’ for me, coming to see Orrell perform and I think it was a great fit for you guys, you looked comfortable on stage, not sure how things worked backstage, but I didn’t see or hear and problems, everything seemed to flow really well!  Simple staging was used throughout which worked well, I loved the ‘backdrops’, I’m told they were made from ‘thick plastic sheeting’ with the locations printed onto them... looked fabulous and created great scenes whenever used!  Lighting was good as was the Sound, both under the watchful eyes of the ever so experienced and talented Joanna Sweet.  Sound... not sure if this would be possible, I’m not a ‘techy’, so this is me thinking out loud ... just wondered if the ‘mikes on stands’ across the front of the stage, could be replaced by hanging mikes?  The floor mikes for me, did create a ‘bit of a barrier’ between cast and audience... if they could be replaced with ‘hanging mikes’ I think that would be a better fit!  There may be a reason why this can’t happen, but worth considering if possible... Joanne will know for sure!  

Wardrobe ... what a fabulous set of costumes obtained from Charades Theatrical Costume Hire with some provided by cast ... colourful, of the period, they really did enhance this production ever so much ... overseeing the costumes we had Sarah Farley.

Props... first rate and used ever so well.

It’s always a pleasure and a privilege to be invited to come along and see Orrell Musical & Dramatic Society perform... and now with this ‘new string to your bow’ I’m already looking to your next pantomime! 

Thanks for the warm welcome, was lovely to catch up with Liz Schofield, Laura Priestley, Linda Scott, Alison Hampson and Joanna Sweet and many more and thanks to the lady who supplied us with tea, not sure who it was, but much appreciated!  Already looking forward to seeing you all very soon!

Stay Safe, Keep well
“Stronger Together”

Jim Briscoe …
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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