Dick Whittington and his Cat.

We were welcomed as usual to the Riverside Theatre, looking forward to another of these special Company of Four Spectacular Pantomimes. After giving excellent seats, we were transported to Highgate Hill and the big opening number “On and Wonderful Day Like Today” with full chorus complete with their young performers all in delightful village costumes. Enter the dame – popular Paul Leech in the roll he has always made his own, this time it was Betty Buckett (Oh sorry Bouquet).

The Alderman Fitzwarren (highly fancied by Betty )was Allan Rogers and his lovely daughter Jo Rayner in her first roll with Company of Four as Alice,and no doubt this will not be the last for this talented lady.

We have a good fairy as all pantos have and this was nicely played  by Charlotte Lamb and of course the baddie Queen Rat was particularly evil in the form of Lisa Dersley.

Enter handsome Dick Whittington (Kerri-Ann Lees) and her  cat Jangles (Josie Temple) craftily disguised as the lion in the Wizard of Oz, great costume!

There followed all the favourite situations for Panto, an extremely funny Ship’s chandler shop of course owned by Betty gave way to some brilliant comedy,  - who put that jar of jellies on the top shelf?  And why does every customer request it – poor Betty!!   Idle Jack is played by Simon Hoyle who of course gets all the rotten jobs of lifting and carrying etc, and I particularly liked the scene where Dick and Alice sit on the wall and sing “Hold My Hand”.

The company sail off in the ship  captained by Oliver Fosker as Captain Barnacle and  Bosun Bilge (Adan Kearney)and after some great  fun on board they  meet a storm and are unfortunately washed overboard which gives the technics a great opportunity to show some brilliant UV fish. I loved the rowing boat they all escaped in!

The story of course follows the traditional story, and there is a great set for the ship, and especially a rowing boat in which they escape from the island.

As usual the story has a happy ending and Dick and Alice are married amid a superb scene with costumes to die for – well done to Caro Prescott in charge of the wardrobe.

This Company deserves all the accolades and awards they have collected in the past and no doubt will again!

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