Dick Whittington

Dick Whittington — Paul Cohen Productions

We are in the throes of Pantomime season and apparently more are performed in Bolton than anywhere else. So, Bolton audiences are spoilt for choice.

Paul Cohen Productions perform Alan Frayn’s Dick Whittington with something for all ages. The stage is utilised well with the use of backcloths and various props being brought on including a jail. Taking us from London to onboard ship to a distant land. Stage Manager Elliot Hogben. Costumes were bright and fun and in keeping with the traditions. Costumes by Janet Hardman. Lighting and Sound all added to the spectacle. SFX compilation Louise Cohen, Operation of Sound and Lighting by Alan Dodd and Louise Cohen. Follow Spot Wendie Dodd and Keileigh Cohen.

Paul Cohen directs, Choreographs and plays Dame Dolly Dumpling (he must be exhausted) with the help of Louise and Emily Cohen with the children’s chorus who were a delight. The cast certainly looked to be having fun on stage. It was lovely having the cast being introduced at the beginning by Fairy Bowbells played by Joanne Burton who looked fabulous in her outfit adding glamour and a great cockney accent. Kiersten Keogh played a cameo role as the stern Sultana and made use of the lush Chaise Lounge.

Catherine Henderson plays Captain Cuttlefish and her side-kick is Scupper played by Lindsay Sheppard. The comedy duo you wouldn’t want them anywhere near your ship, they played the silly well. Adam Manning gave us evil King Rat. Scheming and plotting with his adorable Ratlings in training. Soaking up the boos and looking quite scary. Carl Bottomley took on the role of Alderman Fitzwarren and mastered the tongue twister with aplomb. Despairing at his band of crew aboard ship with the mop scene. Funny.

Gareth Mabon took on the role of Idle Jack and worked the audience well and combining as double act with Paul Cohen as Dame Dolly they cranked up the energy. The young people in the audience loved it and Paul and Gareth were quick to react to them. Paul ever the director on stage ad-libbed around the chaos, which which was funny Lauren Borg played Tom (Cat) Lauren really looked the part and moved effortlessly around the stage. Megan Thomasson as Alice Fitzwarren was a delight and worked well with Beth Allcock as Dick Whittington with great chemistry on stage. Both with lovely voices and A World of Our Own was a Delight.  With laughs a plenty cast and crew must be proud of this show.

Thank you for the invite and hospitality from my guest Ursula and I.

Liz Hume-Dawson

District 5

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