Dick Whittington and his Cat

Once again we were delighted to be invited to your most recent production and thrilled you managed to keep rehearsing and get the panto to the stage .

I feel pantomime is such an individual production compared to all other theatre experiences not just for the opportunity of being larger than life but also down to each society's interpretation of the well loved stories . Again  under the watchful eye of  your production team led by Andrea Powell Dronfield didn't disappoint . Many times with a full stage of performers the shaping and spacing was well executed along with some lovely songs well delivered . I particularly like the way you keep your songs pacy and in places shorten them in the interest of keeping the production moving along . The use of the projection screen with a  Meet the Cast ,was well received as the audience entered the theatre . . 

There were many excellent performances . Tommy Jones along with his kick starts performed well along with some great pieces with the younger rattlings . Caroline and Gayle as the Belles worked well together and popped on and off stage with their many anecdotes and rhyming prose. Ellie and Beth gave very good all round performances with some memorable pieces together along with their usual high quality singing , always a pleasure to listen to . Richard Gilson as the Alderman always conveyed the air of being in charge but often wasn't , lovely performance . 

The hard working silly billy but in this case Idle Jack played by Rachel Cooper Bassett , a lovely character with.

  so many audience pleasing looks and grins , along with so many well delivered lines , Coop to name just one . I really enjoyed your all round performance , and even the wig !!

The part of the Dame in any pantomime is so important , to wear the daftest of clothes , balance the many wigs and head gear and deliver such silly lines with total conviction . Gavin Ward as Sarah the Cook did all those things and more . Your experience and proven skill shone through the performance allowing others to feed off your infectious persona .

I must also say how much I enjoyed the performance of Adam Chapman , as Capt Cuttle , some really fun scenes and for me the stand out sailors line up sketch in Act 2 . If you're not specifically mentioned it takes nothing away from your performances throughout the panto . We enjoyed so many of the cleverly executed sketches ,the cross stage rope , under the sea , the Uv all cleverly thought out and directed . Well done to some of your younger cat members taking on the principal roles . With the high level of talent available this can only benefit those youngsters ,in watching, working and learning the art of panto . A skill not always easy to perform as you are  expected to be larger than life but stay totally believable throughout . 

The simplistic sets beautifully arranged but leaving ample performance space and also included around the orchestra pit worked really well . 

Your MD Anne brought out the best in you all with some lovely harmonies and many fun musical numbers , assisted with her extremely well balanced mini orchestra . 

 I  was a little saddened at times by the lack of audience participation for you all as you  had worked so hard .Could a little more encouragement be given by the front row performers and also ask your in house stewards and front of house members to start or assist with the booing and clapping  , After all that is what panto is all about. 

Compliments must go to the lighting team who did a commendable job . I also thought the costumes looked fab , really well done with such a large cast and the many changes . Finally but by no means the least well done to all your young ensemble who performed throughout with great expression , lovely movement , lots of smiles adding such a depth and warmth to the whole show . Be very proud of your achievements , you deserved  the applause .

If you haven't booked yet please support this production. You will leave with a smile on your face and humming the songs . 

Well done and thank you for inviting us .Wishing you every success with the remainder of the run .

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