Dick Whittington

As anyone who knows me, knows … I love pantomime! They come in three varieties, the ‘Good’, the ‘Bad’ and the downright ‘Ugly’! Whichever category they may be filed away in, there is always some enjoyment on one level or another. This was the third MADAOS pantomime since they revisited the genre, and Dick Whittington and his Cat is amongst my favourites. The March Community Centre was pleasingly full as I took my seat for a little January pick-me-up!
Peter Denyer must drive a really nice car these days as once again it was one of his scripts the fine burgers of March had selected and, as I have begun to notice with his output, it was aimed very much at the 6 to 12 age group. The set (Backstage Team) featured some really good graphics (Marian Saville) and incidental props were everything you could possibly want. Lighting and sound (Steven Palmer) was perfection with another wonderful set of sound effects that were always right on cue. The usual fairy entrance pyrotechnics had been replaced by stage right and left smoke machines with easily the biggest fog output I have ever seem. Probably more cost effective than flash and bang, and every bit as effective.
There wasn’t really a chorus with Barbara Longstaff and omnipresent Ellie Saville the only members of the cast not with specified roles. Miss Savill was particularly well used and always seemed to have the best costume in every scene. I checked to make sure her mother wasn’t the wardrobe mistress! There were also the ‘Ratlings’ making good use of the junior members of the society. Joseph Sayer, Maxwell Wright and Madeline Rodney, front and centre, ably assisted by Francis Pepper as Gnashfang and Barbara Pepper as Gnawbone. All the rats were very focussed and really rather scary if I am honest. Ian Crabtree also turned up a few times but was at his best as The Sultan of Morocco.
In the more prominent roles, I enjoyed (as I always do) Alex McAdam as Captain Cuttle, who was in fine form. The memory of his 2014 Charlie Chan still makes me smile 12 months later. Another regular on top of his game was Derek Wisbey who was excellent as Alderman Fitzwarren, reappearing later as King Neptune. Mr Wisbey was confident with his script and always seemed to be in the right places at the right times. By complete contrast (age, gender and experience) Ellie Singleton was captivating as heroic cat, Tommy, and although it was here first appearance with MADAOS, I think I heard that it was also her first time on stage. Either way she did a fantastic job.
In her biog Claire Lilley is declared as being “back to the delight of her many fans”. Well, I am one of those fans .. and I was delighted. A flawless delivery in rhyme from a very accomplished actress and a more than passable Fairy!
Another MADAOS newcomer was Lindsay Wardrop as the enchanting Alice Fitzwarren. Her assured acting was complimented nicely by her excellent signing voice. A young talent this society would do well to hang on to. Now what can you say about Stewart Bettles that hasn’t been said before? .. and by people who should have more respect! Only joking! Mr Bettles was back again as the Dame (Sarah the Cook) and, just as with last year, he was solid with his lines and moved around the stage with authority. It was only the script that let him down - being a bit short on gags, but he worked hard to make up the shortfall. In a very similar vein laughs were in short supply for Kerry Casey as comic lead Idle Jack. Mrs Casey is one of this societies finest performers and it goes without saying that she did a really good job, but I don’t remember her making me laugh this year as she has before.
If ever there was a piece of perfect casting it was giving the role of King Rat to Dave Yates. Mr Yates is always good value but with a fantastic costume, wig and make up he delivered his numerous rhyming couplets with menace and without deviation, hesitation or the aid of a safety net. Together with his ‘Rat Pack’ he was the very backbone of this excellent production.
The Principle Boy has the advantage of not needing any gags in her script. Just charisma, a good singing voice, stunning good looks and the occasional thigh slap. So penultimate paragraph honours have to go to Eleanor Pettet as ‘three time Lord Mayor Of London’, Dick Whittington, who delivered on everything but the thigh slaps …. I can’t remember a single one but please correct me if I missed any. Mrs Pettet had always had an accurate singing voice but it really seems to have become a lot stronger this year, which in turn has made her quite the musical actress. Her characterisation was just right as well getting the audience behind her from first entrance to her last bow.
My compliments to Director, Barbara Mews (assisted by Isobel Shippey) for a very sharp, very tidy piece of theatre. The technical direction could not be faulted and everything about this production reeked of class. My only criticisms would be the lack of jokes and the fact that there was precious little for the adults who made up 70% of the audience. As I was heading for the door I overheard Claire Lilley reporting that an audience member had declared it was their best pantomime yet and I pondered this on the way home. I think it was the most professional … but I didn’t laugh like I did every time Charlie Chan came on!

 

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