Dick Whittington

Dick Whittington at PADOS was a truly fantastic family pantomime that had the audience either laughing, cheering, or booing with excitement from start to finish. The moment we took our seats in PADOS House, we were swept straight into the colourful, chaotic, and wonderfully familiar world of traditional panto. The atmosphere was warm and buzzing, and the cast wasted no time in drawing us into the story of Dick Whittington and his adventures.

One of the first things that stood out was how effectively the company used the theatrical space. PADOS House is an intimate venue, and the cast made full use of every inch of it. They darted from one side of the stage to another, appeared from unexpected entrances, and kept the audience on their toes with lively choreography and well‑timed comedic moments. This clever staging helped maintain a strong connection between performers and audience, which is essential in pantomime, where interaction is half the fun.

Our introduction to King Rat, played by Lisa Hartley, set the tone brilliantly. Her costume was exceptional detailed, textured, and perfectly suited to the villainous grandeur of the character. The attention to detail really elevated her presence on stage. Lisa’s performance was commanding; she projected with confidence and delivered every line with a deliciously sinister flair. Her ability to provoke boos, hisses, and laughter in equal measure showed a strong understanding of panto villainy. She relished the role, and the audience relished reacting to her.

Dick Whittington, played by Amanda Simpson, brought warmth and charm to the production. Amanda captured Dick’s optimism and determination with ease, giving the audience a hero they could root for. Her interactions with the younger audience members were particularly endearing, and she handled the musical numbers with confidence. Amanda’s portrayal had a sincerity that grounded the more chaotic comedic moments around her.

Simon Fletcher as Dolly Dumpling delivered one of the standout comedic performances of the evening. What I particularly enjoyed about Simon’s portrayal was his natural rapport with the audience. His timing was sharp, his physical comedy was bold without being overdone, and he carried the classic dame energy with confidence. The costume changes, the exaggerated expressions, and the playful improvisation all contributed to a performance that felt both polished and joyfully unpredictable.

David Livesey brought Tom the Cat to life with impressive physicality and characterisation. His movements were feline without being cartoonish, and he managed to communicate a great deal through gesture and expression alone. David’s commitment to the role added a layer of charm to the production, and his interactions with Dick were consistently engaging. Idle Jack, played by Chloe Pereira, was another audience favourite. Chloe’s energy was infectious, and she had a natural ability to connect with the crowd. Her comedic timing, cheeky asides, and playful improvisation kept the younger audience members especially entertained. She struck a great balance between silliness and sincerity, making Idle Jack a memorable part of the show.

Freya Fox portrayed Alice with sweetness and poise. Her performance brought a gentle contrast to the more chaotic characters, and she handled her scenes with a calm confidence. Freya’s vocals were clear and expressive, and she brought a lovely warmth to her interactions with Dick.

A personal standout for me was Hannah Cohen as Scupper. Her characterisation was consistent, lively, and full of personality. Hannah had a strong stage presence and delivered her lines with clarity and confidence. Every time she appeared, she added energy to the scene, and her comedic instincts were spot‑on.

The musical numbers throughout the performance were a real highlight. The cast’s vocals were strong, and the musical choices were well suited to the tone of the show. The audience happily joined in when invited, and the ensemble numbers were delivered with enthusiasm and cohesion. The choreography was accessible yet effective, allowing performers of all ages to shine.

Overall, PADOS delivered a vibrant, funny, and heart‑warming production of Dick Whittington. The cast’s commitment, the clever staging, the strong character work, and the lively musical moments all came together to create a thoroughly enjoyable evening of theatre. It was clear that a great deal of care, rehearsal, and passion had gone into the show, and the audience responded with well‑deserved applause.

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