24th April 2025
Anything Goes
West End Operatic Society, Tyne Theatre Opera House
Dick Whittington
Author: Foster Johnson
Information
- Date
- 13th January 2017
- Society
- Caprian Theatre Company
- Venue
- The Dryden Centre, Gateshead
- Type of Production
- Pantomime
- Director
- Jeff Waites
- Musical Director
- Enid Stafford
- Choreographer
- Emma Waites
Before a packed audience which has become the norm for the Caprian Theatre Company’s Pantomime Productions we were treated to another in the long line of their fine offerings.
As one who loves theatre in all its many guises I have always been in awe of those who have the vision and talent to write. It was again the case with this show, directed by the Author himself, who with added excellent support from Musical Director Enid Stafford and Choreographer Emma Waites, enabled the Company to once again deliver a lovely night’s entertainment.
A delighted audience really took to this production of Dick Whittington as it intertwined folklore and historical reality to tell its tale. It had all that you would come to expect from a pantomime, with humour pathos slapstick and audience participation in equal measure coupled with some wonderful singing, excellent sets, costumes and lighting.
In Pantomime everyone is crucial to the plot and its success. From Principals to the Chorus and Dancers all played their parts exceptionally well.
Russell Rafferty and Lindsay Kellegher played the villainous King Rat and Dick Whittington in true character fashion respectively, whilst Helen McKenry was delightful as the heroine Alice Fitzwarren. The Dame (Sarah the Cook), saw, Kevin Riley add another plus to his fine comedic repertoire. His foil Simon Devlin as Idle Jack her son was also excellent and his rapport with the audience added that little extra.
They were well supported by the other Principals in the Show. Emma Waites as the Spirit of the Bells, Sam Monkhouse ( Captain) Daniel Fenwick (Ald.Fitzwarren) Tommy (Eve McRoberts) Steve Nichol and Pam Dias (as the hapless and bungling First and Second Mates) and finally Phillip Walton (Sultan of Morroco) whose knockabout routine with Sarah the Cook had the audience in stitches
In conclusion I finally reserve a very special mention for the adult and children’s chorus groups without whom the show was not complete and who are always an integral part of a pantomime production.
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