Dick Whittington

A cold and frosty Friday night with a warm welcome but very upsetting news Director Graham was very poorly indeed.  MD Margaret taking the helm, Gary Pope standing in as the Sultan’s Guard and, in true thespian spirit, it was business as usual.

The introductory selection of London themes was played on a grand piano by Margaret also making H & S announcements, as well as accompanying throughout, plus a bit of prompting too!  Either side of the stage were pull-ups with splendid sponsorship from MRA, Mike Robertson Associates, which has helped the group improve conditions back stage.  The black and white programme was explicit, nicely laid out, including NODA info.  It was easy to read and I collected copies for the SE Programme Competition.

Based on the life of Dick Whittington who did become a wealthy merchant and eventually Lord Mayor of London, together with his talking cat Tom. During his adventures he finds a job, is found guilty of stealing Alderman Fitzwarren’s jewels but lives, as you do in pantoland, happily ever after. Full of lavatorial and Christmas Cracker double entendre corkers, the lively audience joined in the banter especially good on ‘pull your socks up Jack’.

Musical numbers chosen were well-known, jolly and sing-alongable.  A special mention to the Duet beautifully sung by King Rat and the Fairy.  Lyrics came across with more confidence than in the past and simple movement was well synchronised.

A good joint effort in set design and construction, elegant signage, effective stand-up rats one trucked and pulled by King Rat’s little Ratling. The nautical scene was notable – a  particularly good sail set against the cloud sky backdrop. Two excellent palm trees. Very interesting props for the store, and personal props – fine set of mops, great rubber ring, tentacles, seaweed etc. The technical side went well with timely cued dry-ice for the fairy, interesting lighting for undersea creatures, brewing storm, squawking gulls and dripping sewer noises, Bowbells etc.  Good work from the crew – just minor slow curtain closures on a couple of occasions.

Costumes were most appropriate, well collated by the wardrobe ladies. Fairy Bowbells – Rona Morton - most elegant opposing splendidly attired Lewis Ikin as King Rat in a good frock coat, blond hair, headdress, and impressive mace, who was ably assisted by Imogen Pope, a perfect little Ratling, Tricorn, waistcoat, and high boots very fetching for Jac Young as Dick and talking cat Tom namely cheerful young Elliot Bourne dressed in black with cheeky face paint perfect, with Alice played by Imogen Beale in attractive blue gingham. Lots of nautical stripes. Ken Duce, The Sultan looked wealthy and Dave Bourne as Dolly Dumpling lived up to her name whilst Richard Baszczak, Idle Jack very colourful, as were his socks. Good pairing with Freddie Perry as the Captain and comedic sidekick Scupper, always entertaining Jenny Taylor.

Graham did a sterling job and with Margaret’s help towards the end of rehearsals, the company did him proud.  Principals worked hard at their individual parts with rhyme and tongue-twisters, ensemble becoming characters too.  Effective movement during the storm at sea worked very well indeed and the cast kept it going.  Back of hall entry bringing the players through the audience was useful when working with limited stage space.

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