Again writer Dan Buckroyd and Le Navet Bete’s collaboration with the Northcott panto posse has paid dividends. Dick Whittington is a fun, fluid, cleverly simple slice of festive fun.
Last year’s baddie Jodie Micciche is back, but this time as the saccharine Fairy Bowbells (and Captain Barnacle), guardian of London Town ready to find the strong-and-true-hearted orphan youth who will become Lord Mayor and rid the city of a plague of robot rats. Enter said strong-and-true-hearted Exeter orphan Elliott Coombe (Teletubbies Live! UK and Ireland tour), who seeks pavements of gold and his fortune.
With new friend feline Bruce Lee, sassy cat Sox (a superb professional debut by Poppy Joy), by his side and love interest Alice Fitzwarren (Sophia Lewis) ready with a job offer, how can Dick fail?
Stephanie Lyse (UK tours of The Importance of Being Earnest, Othello, Baby Bear, the Mikado and more) is "permanently leaving chaos" (and many more PLC initialisms) evil Queenie Rat, up for election as mayor and literally a pest controller: she is the AI creation of Elon Muskrat and commander of the rampant revolting robot rats. Her mission is to thwart Dick's dreams and take over London one cheese shop at a time.
Meanwhile, Alderman Fitzwarren (Nick Bunt) is out of cheese and setting sail upon the Saucy Susan to replenish his stocks, while shapely stowaway Sarah Suet (Matt Freeman of course) is determined to bake him a cake, and her somewhat gormless son Jack is keen to be boss.
Add very talented Andrew Dillon and Molly Cheesley as Ensemble, outrageous Dame costuming, plenty of jokes, songs, slapstick—the ultimate being The Cake Off in the rocking ship's gallery—and ridiculousness—with the "12 days of Christmas Beach" an old chestnut but an absolute highlight—and this is a winner for the whole family.
Be prepared to sing, laugh and get wet.