Dick Whittington and His Cat

This was my first visit to a Pantomime in this Christmas period and this one by St Ambrose Players got the Season off to a fine start. Judging by the reaction of all the children in the audience the company gave them just what they wanted. I was disappointed by the opening number. The curtain opened and the cast stood there motionless until the music started. The opening in Pantomime is so important to set the mood for the remainder of the show. This was soon forgotten when we were introduced, in quick succession, to all our favourite characters in one of the most loved shows in this particular genre. Once again the set constructors and lighting and sound crew did a fine job. Scene changes were excellent. I particularly liked the sinking of the ship, the killing of the rats and the fight between Tommy and King Rat. The costume department is to be congratulated, once again. John Sangster was again outstanding although it helped his character by having a stammer when he was struggling for lines?

Jess Clark as Tommy the Cat looked fine but I would have wished for more feline movements. Lewis Hampson as Sultan Peppa is improving with each show, his diction was excellent and I liked his interpretation of the role. Mathew Clark as King Rat and Paul Regan ( No relation) as Captain Cutlass impressed. Alison Griffith- Barnes was her usual reliable self, experience being so important in a principal role. David White as Gertie Sprat was all a traditional Dame should be and Bev Yates and Jane Dempsey were so funny as the two Foreign Legion characters. All principals were well cast and they and the chorus and dancers had a ball, which certainly came across to us. I feel the show would have benefitted with a more modern choice of musical numbers, so important when you are playing to the youngsters. Pauline Todd and Sarah White, Directors and Choreographer, Janet Brown and M.D. Lee Bradbury have obviously so hard and it must be worth it to see the audience go away with a huge smile on their faces. Thank you for a lovely evening.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.