Dick Whittington And His Cat

A vivacious Fairy Bow Bells, played with charm and elegance by Emma Ferguson introduces the storyline, closely followed by her evil counterpart, King Rat, a very nasty piece of work performed with style and conviction by Millar Young. Then onto the streets of London where we meet the lively chorus with the first of some traditional but fun musical numbers.

As soon as Brian Mathieson as Sarah Cook makes his/her entrance the fun begins with more than a little help from Captain Cuttle played delightfully by Ali Niven. If Brian is the quintessential dame (and he is!) then surely Dick Whittington (Eleanor Kinninmonth) and Alice Fitzwarren (Becca Matheson) are the perfect principal boy and girl, with clear diction and lovely singing throughout.

When Dick and his cute moggy Tommy (Tigerlily Toley) arrive in London to seek their fortune. Dick falls for Alice immediately and scrounges a job from her father Alderman Fitzwarren played nicely by Jim Ramsay. Dick soon meets the rest of the staff: Sarah possibly the worst cook ever and her son Idle Jack (good comedy timing from Ross Robertson) who lives up to his name.

There is more fun and frolics when the whole gang sets sail with Captain Cuttle for foreign parts. A highlight has to be their well rehearsed “drill” on board. In Morocco, they make their name with Tommy ridding the kingdom of rats to the delight of the Sultan (nicely characterised by Alix Morland). Notable performances by Harrison Cairney as Gnawbone and Ailsa Arbuthnott as Gnashfang (King Rat’s henchrats) added to an already strong cast of principals.

This was a real team effort with seemingly effortless fun always at the forefront. Add to that a lively entertaining chorus, catchy choreography and more and more unusually these days a live band; and you undoubtedly have a winning production.

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