Dick Whittington

The last time I was really blown away by a Dereham Panto was back in 2013 with ‘Robinson Crusoe’. Those that followed have all been fine, but a combination of weak scripts and questionable casting has always made me leave Dereham Memorial Hall thinking about what might have been. This year there looked to be a new team in at the helm, and so it was all to play for as I took my seat for the 2016 offering ‘Dick Whittington’.

The front of house welcome was as warm as ever, but I was aware that my lukewarm review of ‘Rock of Ages’ had not gone down well with everyone here, so I bought an excessively large number of raffle tickets (in an attempt to ingratiate myself with the locals) and hid in the shadows.

Most of my favourite performers were at large this night, so I was optimistic that this year may well be a vintage one. The set (Scenic Projects) was fantastic. Well designed and beautifully constructed and painted with complimentary lighting (Emotive Sound and Light) imaginative and well executed. Sound (Emotive Sound and Light) was a little as it had been with ‘Rock of Ages’. When I reported on that show I disagreed with the majority who thought the band were too loud, maintaining instead that the balance was wrong. This time, I did think the band was too loud causing me to struggle to hear the vocals once again. Microphone control was better than last time with most performers being amplified before they began speaking. This had been a major problem on my last visit.

Costumes (design and execution by Michelle Blanks) could not be faulted with ancillary make-up (Sophie Blanks and team) and hairdressing (Natasha Wilson-Gotobed) all perfection, as they always seem to be just lately. Props (managed by Pennie Jones) were plentiful and caused me no offence whatsoever. I also noted that the scene changes (Stage Manager Kevin Jude and Deputy Stage Manager Dave Filer) were a lot less obtrusive and considerably better conceived than ‘Rock of Ages’, with the only issue being an abandoned chair, quickly recaptured by Dave Filer who got a round of applause for just the perfect look out into the auditorium. You deserved it Dave, and yes, it was me that started it!

The cast was pretty extensive and the Chorus were on good form. Well-disciplined and delivering some excellent choreography (Jean Cator) that really suited the production; something that I took issue with last time. The dance team of Chloe Bailey Jacqui Shah, Danielle Standing and Michelle Wilson (Dance Captain) did really well with all their routines, and were a joy to watch.

In the supporting roles I think that Heather Neave just continues to improve every time I see her and although she didn’t have that much to do, as the Sultana she was very much on top of her game. Likewise, Joanne Doughty as Fairy Twinklybell, and Jayne Andrew as Queen Rat, both delivering polished performances.

In a break with tradition (one that caused me no problem at all) the part of Dick Whittington was played by … a boy… Well a man really, and a really nice guy. Ollie Ludman is only 17 but I always look forward to seeing him on stage and to talking with him afterwards. As the romantic lead he did a magnificent job with a great singing voice to match his acting ability. ….and I have to say, having a man for the principle boy gave a lot more credibility to the romance with Alice. Paul Allum is such a talented actor I waited around at the end just to tell him how good he had been as the floundering (pun intended) Captain Cod. A great characterisation and a skilful straight man to the comic lead.

I had already been over to Fakenham to view Ellie Buckingham in Peter Pan and so in this newly created Buckingham-free zone, I was intrigued to see who would do the female romantic lead here in Dereham. It turned out to be Charlotte Bunting as Alice Fitzwarren and what a job she did! A delightful interpretation with a jazz singing voice to die for.

No matter how small the part, and this one was not massive … you can never overlook Nick Bird. He can (and has) turned the most mediocre scripts into something palatable. This time out he was a little on the periphery as Alderman Fitzwarren but still left his mark on the part and the production. The same can very much be said of young (I would guess at 11 ) Thomas Wilson-Gotobed as Dick Whittington’s cat Tommy. A wonderful and side-splittingly funny characterisation that very nearly stole the show. I understand that Tony Wilds has been out of action for a while but had been the Dame of choice here for many years. Well this night he was back with a bang, delivering an excellent comedy Dame that was a total joy. There was a shortage of jokes and those that there were, lacked quality, but his performance was top notch; the only issue coming when he dried up and had to ask for a prompt. It was a shame, but did not detract excessively from an accomplished delivery overall.

I mentioned earlier how much I enjoy talking with Ollie Ludman after a show. Well he is generally side-by-side with a certain Declan Matwij who is also a very sensible and perceptive guy who seems to understand everything that goes on … on this stage. On this night he was peerless as Comic Lead, Mick the Mate, and so it is to him I award penultimate paragraph honours. A natural performer who had the whole audience behind him after his first entrance. His gentle style made the most of every piece of comedy and the laugh he got from the “Walking The Plank”  gag said more about him that the joke itself. His interaction with sure-footed Paul Allum was divine and he always looked to know his lines and his moves accessorising both with some pretty slick costume changes.

This was Dereham back at its best and my hat is completely off to Director, Jean Cator, who certainly understands Pantomime. The set pieces were all familiar to me and I remembered with nostalgia using the “Ice cream, Ice Cream”  in my very first pantomime ‘Cinderella’ (what else) back in 1989. It is so refreshing to see a director and a cast who all seem to know the genre and how to deliver it properly. Congratulations also to the new musical team led by Musical Director, Holly Jones and her three additional pieces who produced a quality sound with the most animated lead guitarist I have ever seen! Bravo Dereham, welcome back to the Panto premiership!

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