|
Dick
Whittington 1982
Review |
|
|
|
|
|
DICK W’
has the lot – except the big crowds
|
|
|
|
There are just two days left to catch Dick
Whittington at the Palace Avenue Theatre in Paignton. Paignton Pantomime Productions
have laid on a panto to compete with the best and they deserve the audiences
that their performance last Thursday failed to bring. |
|
|
|
The scenery depicting the streets of
London
was spectacularly 3D; it would not have been amiss in the best of professional
pantomimes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Villain
The cast with an average age
below the usual, showed timing and terrific energy. But the villain King Rat needed
a touch more villainy and a bit more exposure to get the audience hissing. Nor
would a touch more slapstick have gone amiss.
|
|
|
|
lain Douglas as Idle Jack was
ironically the most lively of the cast. His singing and dancing sparkled and he
had the' air of a true professional.
|
|
|
|
Tommy the Cat was played by
Anne-Marie Sisson. She won the heart of the audience, and rarely has such a
realistic 'miaow' been heard on stage.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foot
The tap dancers produced all
the taps themselves - more than you can say for many a panto these days, so
often the tapping is merely a recording. Their timing was impressive.
|
|
|
|
The dancing generally was one of the highlights
of the show. Even the tiniest dancers did not put a foot wrong. |
|
|
|
Sarah Smith in the role of
Dick Whittington found her feet and the show went on and she had the ideal
singing voice to fill the theatre.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Picnic
But never was there a cornier lead
into a song in any pantomime. 'On my last picnic all I had to eat was a rock cake
and a roll’ said the Dame (Bert Westmore) – and it was straight into a rock and
roll number . . . needless to say it got the laughs.
|
|
|
|
The Captain's' mate Scuttle
was bravely played by Margaret Robertson, whose enthusiasm seemed endless.
|
|
|
|
Costume designer Georgena Pole
did her job well and the hours of work that went into their making was obvious.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Form
Musicians Peter Alan (pianoforte
/ organ) and Ron Jackson (percussion) did not form the largest of orchestras,
but they performed as well – Peters simulated wasp on the organ was something
to be reckoned with.
|
|
|
|
If you have not taken the
children to see ‘Dick Whittington’ yet, kick yourself and do it tonight,
tomorrow or Saturday.
|
|
|
|
Unknown origin
|
|
|
