Derby Playhouse till 18th January
Derby
DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT: Mark Clements
Derby Playhouse: Tks 01332 363275
2hr 45m: one interval: till 18 Jan.
Perf 7.30, some matinees 10.15am, 2.15pm.
Jen Mitchell 4th December
A glittering Christmas treat for all. The playhouse rang to the shouts of "Look behind you", and "Oh no he didn't", and that was just the adults!Technically excellent, tonnes of audience participation, glamour, romance and true love, a thoroughly enjoyable experience!
The acting throughout is faultless. Alison Carter gives a superb performance as Dick, complete with lots of thigh slapping without which no pantomime is complete.
Slapstick comedy is the order of the day for Sarah the Cook and Silly Billy, Adam Stafford and Pete Dunwell respectively. Talent and tight direction means their comic timing is spot on and children positively squeal with delight at the 'urgh' factor of some of their more revolting routines.
Fairy Bow Bells delivers all her lines in verse as any self-respecting fairy should and is clearly adored by younger members of the audience. We have a truly villainous baddy in King Rat who gives us ample opportunity for booing and hissing without reservation.
This pantomime is really tuned in to today's youngsters, from the bogie jokes to the references to IT. Dick is in Morocco when he hears the news he is to be Lord Mayor of London. His defeat of King Rat is relayed to London by e-mail and the powers that be send a text message back by return!
The lighting of the show is a real triumph. Dark and atmospheric in parts generating feelings of almost-fear amongst the audience, to gorgeous and glittering in others. The design is beautiful, taking us from Olde London Towne to the rich palace of the Sultan of Morocco, with a visit to King Neptune's depths en route. This is where we meet luminous tropical fish and a huge and rather frightening sea-monster. A super transformation scene.
Alderman Fitzwarren and Sultan of Morocco: John Branwell
Dick Whittington: Alison Carter
King Rat: Philip Cox
Silly Billy: Pete Dunwell
Alice Fitzwarren: Helen Fisher
Tommy the Cat: Suzy Rochford
Sarah the Cook: Adam Stafford
Fairy Bow Bells: Sarah Weymouth
Director: Mark Clements
Co-Director and Choreographer: Jenny Sawyer
Set and Costume Designer: Colin Mayes
Musical Director: Steve Pritchett
Lighting Designer: Alexandra Stafford
Sound Designer: Nick Greenhill
Guitar: Paul Brown
Drums: Jim Fleeman
Bass: Ron Humphries
Chorus: Cara Bertram, Hayley Coffey, Laura Gregory, Cara Hind, Amber Hunt, Georgina Lamb, Aisha Lysejko, Katie Newman, Amy O'Rafferty, Caryl Wormald, Becky Edwards, Alexander Green, Laurissa Hamilton, Stephanie Hare, Christina Jackson, Jo Sanderson, Bethany Webster, Natalie Weetman, Rebecca Wheldon, Katy York.
2002-12-06 09:36:20