Dick Whittington

What a glorious trip to Old London Town with Wales CTP.  This sparkling, pacey and funny production had all the ingredients you need for an evening of laughter and frolics.  The experienced cast handled this great script with confidence from the first entrances through all the expected tribulations - as Dick meets his cat Tom, falls in love with Alice, the company set sail and become shipwrecked in Morocco where they meet the Sultan - everyone was laughing and joining in with the numerous audience participation opportunities.

Important ingredients in any pantomime are the good versus evil characters and we had the sweetness and light provided by Faye Wood as Fairy Bowbells who had a great voice and perfect stature when faced with the very evil Queen Rat.  Alison Wade was a confident Queen Rat who gave a fabulous rendition of ‘Rat Out of Hell’ supported by her small, but wonderfully entertaining, Ratling’s Khloe McMillan (Sniff) and Elliott McHale (Scratch).  The primary role of the baddie in any pantomime is to act as a magnet for the audience's negative energy and Wade provided that magnetism.  She was booed and derided by the audience who clearly loved to hate her.

Tom Ingall as the shouty, bossy and often quite rude Dame Dolly Dumpling had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand.  With wonderful costumes and wigs Ingall really looked the part and played it loud, brash and most definitely ‘in your face’.  Paul Burgess as Idle Jack was a bundle of energy and fun – with his wonderful changing socks and his great comic timing Burgess was a brilliant panto comedian.  More hilarity was provided by the comedy duo, Lee Phillips as Captain Cuttlefish and Dan Schofield as Scupper who worked really well together with their contrasting characters.  They were the primary source of slapstick in the show and ensured great pace with their physical comedy.

Joseph Bairstow was perfect as the Alderman Fitzwarren with portrayal of the wealthy, jolly, and slightly pompous, but good-hearted, local merchant.  The productions romance was provided by Toni Cook as Dick Whittington and Eve Rowles as Alice Fitzwarren.  Both looked impeccable and had wonderful composure when faced with the many mis-behaving characters around them.  Credit must go to Beth Wade as Tom the Cat, with wonderful acrobatic tumbles and dance moves to enhance the magical feline character she created – a great principal panto debut.

The local influences of football and popular local references were added to the script giving the audience much to jeer and cheer.  Similarly, Ashley Booker, as the Sultan of Morrocco, adopted a very broad South Yorkshire accent giving another local angle to add to his comic performance.  The 3D special effects provided by Ground House Media were of exceptional quality and really added to the under-the-sea scene.

The ensemble were in time and in tune and Gwen Walker, choreographer, had created some clever routines to showcase their talents.  Like wise the many musical numbers were to a very high standard and Ray Gallagher should be congratulated on this, especially the sea shanty, Wellerman. 

The set and costumes were professionally supplied and enhanced this production which was a wonderful antidote to a wet, grey January day.  A most entertaining afternoon with this talented and accomplished company.  Congratulations to Director, Ashley Booker and all the team at Wales CTP

 

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