18th December 2025
Robin Hood
Margate Operatic Society, Taylor Hall, Ramsgate
Dick Whittington
Author: Gordon Harris
Information
- Date
- 16th December 2025
- Society
- Act One Theatre Group
- Venue
- Birchington Community Centre
- Type of Production
- Pantomime
- Director
- Rebbeca Clark, ass Louise Adams
- Musical Director
- Rebbeca Clark
- Choreographer
- Rebecca Clark and Alice Jewell
There is always a buzz when you walk into Birchington’s Community Centre, at pantomime time, the reason being it's Act 1's panto time. This year they chose Dick Whittington (The Pantomime paved with gold). It certainly needed a gold star from me. It was full of fun and laughter and Beckie has chosen a great cast. This was their first night, but it went so smoothly. Unfortunately, this time I couldn’t get to see both teams (team Fame and team Fortune) but the one I saw were well rehearsed and didn’t put a foot wrong, I’m sure both teams matched each other. Well done to both teams.
With so many in this cast of Dick Whittington I can’t mention you all. The love interest between Yasmina Chaarani as Dick and Alice Jewell as Alice worked well, both had good voice and acting ability. Abby Cliffe playing Tommy the cat: her mannerisms as a cat were great, she certainly looked the part. What a part for Lauren Friday playing Queen Rat - Lauren took over the stage and got the audience to hate her, as a baddy should. Rueben Thorpe as Dame Franny Fryer, looking more like Miranda Hart than Miranda Hart, by now one of Thanet’s foremost Dames. Richard Adams playing two parts had great stage presence. The good fairy Bow Bells opened the show for us, with good diction, a difficult part to open, but she didn’t falter. Idle Jack Daniel Sheppard and Lee Sadd playing Knotty Buoy were adequate in their roles.
Costumes Beckie Clark once again, were colourful and fitted the period. Lighting I felt in places needed more on the sides of the stage - when actors were there, they lost the lighting. Sound: well I heard every word. The simple set and props were good and worked sufficiently.
Beckie Clark you are wonder - you must have a fairy’s touch to get so many on that stage and direct them to a high standard also giving your audiences a great evening at the theatre. This Dick Whittington is a credit to you and great case. Keep up the good work in Thanet. I wish you all the best in your remaining performances of Dick Whittington. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
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