Dick Whittington

Wales CTP once again bring fun and laughter to the Montgomery theatre with their annual Pantomime this year being the well loved Dick Whittington. The story needs no introduction as it stands high in the list of truly traditional pantomimes. Goodies and badies, fairies, Captains and Alderman, Idle Jack, A Cat and a Rat and much more, never forgetting requiring a man in a dress. Pantomime being the entertainment when days are short and spirits often low serves to make us  outstandinforget those times and replace with boos and jeers, he is behind you, comedy and slapstick, audience participation and generally ending with a happy ever after event, along with happy smiling faces leaving the auditorium. This doesn’t just happen, months of planning and plotting, ordering sets, making props, ordering costumes, booking musicians and much more. The whole production team of Ashley Booker, Lee Phillips, Jayne Lemm, Alison Wade, Gwen Walker and Ray Gallagher clearly combined their years of experience to bring Dick Whittington to the stage. Having a good script is only one aspect, but taking the words off the page and turning it into a worthy production quite another. You certainly did all of that with well thought out musical numbers interspersed throughout.

Wales MTG continue their community theatre approach and how lovely to see all ages represented within their production, after all today’s youngsters are tomorrows principals.

This fun filled pantomime was delivered with pace, full of all the usual twists and turns, along with an outstanding ‘under the sea ‘projected scene and the atmospheric ‘three chiming bells’ at the beginning  produced by Groundhouse Media.

The talented cast delivered all the production team strived to achieve. Fairy Bowbells by Faye Wood, the good fairy with excellent clarity taking up front stage right, lots of rhythming prose almost narrating the continuity of the piece.   As good faces evil we see Queen Rat to stage left by Alison Wade, powerfully performed with the skill of winding up the audience with boos and jeers, along with your two rattling’s,. Scratch by Elliot McHale and Sniff by Khloe McMillan , how special to see two young actors who really made their parts their own, impressive clarity and great interactions with Queen Rat. Another combination that worked well was Captain Cuttlefish by Lee Phillips and his not so bright sidekick Scupper by Dan Schofield. The chemistry was great, so many memorable scenes between you delivered with great timing and seriousness all making the comedy better. We then have the bumbling Alderman Fitzwarren by Joseph Bairstow, clearly your daytime profession rubbing off with your upstanding stature and measured confidence . Clear diction even though mixed with deliberate hesitant stutters with the clever Royal reference of ‘ I can’t take every Tom, Dick and Harry’  great fun. Your daughter Alice Fitzwarren by Alice Rowles, beautifully performed with ease, lovely scenes with your stage father and later with Dick Whittington, Prince meets Princess, your eyes light up and all is perfect in true’ good wins over evil’ pantomime style. Dick Whittington by Toni Cook , a well performed lead part, lovely stage presence, singing and acting showing your years of experience in the many and varied scenes. Tom ,The Cat, by Beth Wade, another well performed role some lovely dancing and well delivered lines. Your interaction with Dick showing lovely emotion. Idle Jack performed by Paul Burgess, after two weeks ‘of pulling your socks up’ you will be relieved to go back to clothing normality. A seasoned performer showing all your years of experience in holding and entertaining your audiences. So many lovely scenes, lovely work with the chosen children, audience interaction and the many scenes with your ‘Mum’ Dolly. Dame Dolly by Tom Ingle , a proper man in a dress panto Dame, delivering with real gusto a script that provided plenty for the adults and youngsters alike. The finest array of costumes to grace the Montgomery stage. Comedy and fun with many cast members in particular your scenes with Jack. However, no pantomime can simply rely on a cast of principals, and smaller cameos by members playing such parts as that of The Sultan and ensemble lines all delivered well. The whole senior and junior ensemble where a joy to watch, full of vitality and immersed in a high-quality production. The smiles from many of those young actors told how much they valued being a part of it.

Sound and lighting were very good, along with an excellent well balanced band. The levels maintained so the quality singing, clear speech and orchestra could all be heard effortlessly. The costumes , colour and flair lit up the many ensemble pieces, the sailors, under the sea, on the ship, The Morroccan scenes a joy to see. I must pass my thanks to all the unseen members off stage and front of house, chaperones, dressers, stage crew and more, without them no show would reach the stage. A great evening, so many quality scenes, clever selection of catchy songs with excellent delivery throughout.

You might guess I really enjoyed your production.

 

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