REVIEW | Dick Whittington, Nottingham Playhouse
Written by Natasha.
What a Christmas treat!
As we walked up to Nottingham Playhouse, festive music was ringing out and fairy lights were twinkling. The mood was already set and I didn’t think the scene could become any more Christmassy. I couldn’t have been more wrong. (Oh yes, I could!) (Oh no, I couldn’t!)
From the second I entered the auditorium, Christmas took over. I was entranced by Mark Walters’ amazing scenery design before me - instead of a curtain, the stage displayed a Christmas wonderland, replete with a large light-up bauble, snowy rooftops, red and gold decorations and just the right amount of glitter. Even the orchestra pit was “trimmed up”, as my Grandma used to say, with decorations. The Playhouse pantomime Dick Whittington is not only showing over the next 6 weeks including Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, but the story is also set in ‘Olde London’ at Christmas time. It may have only been the end of November, but I was in for a riotous festive treat!
Dick Whittington has everything a quality pantomime should - great singing, acting, audience participation, a quick-witted Dame, dramatic villain, lashings of innuendo and a talented and vivacious Principal Boy. Despite the source material being insubstantial compared to more well-known fairy tales on offer elsewhere, writer/director Adam Penford and the team have conjured up an entertaining and immersive spectacle for all the family. As well as its Christmas setting, we experience a shipwreck, underwater adventures, singing animal puppets, a flying throne and, yes, Dick Whittington’s talking (and singing, and dancing!) cat.
Despite having lived in Nottingham for many years, this is my first Playhouse panto. John Elkington, as Sarah the Cook, is starring in his twenty-fourth - and how it shows. This Dame showcases amazing audience participation, innuendo, singing and acting prowess and comedic timing at its best. I would have watched this production for Elkington’s performance alone. Combined with Lisa Ambalavanar’s star turn as Dick, and Christopher Chandler as the seedy King Rat, the professionalism and talent on display is absolutely amazing.
The costumes were also noteworthy, using a paint box of colour to draw us in, especially Sarah the Cook’s wardrobe which has to be seen to be believed (you will never see a Christmas Pudding in the same way again!). Combined with the fabulous set, snow-effect lighting and creative video design, this production is a visual feast. Musically, the production is on a little less sturdy ground. Many songs were unfamiliar, especially to the youngsters in the audience - only ‘Sweet Caroline’ went down an absolute treat with everyone. Thankfully, the live band’s jaunty performance and wonderful vocal performances by the cast meant that the musical numbers were still well-received.
As with all pantomimes, Dick Whittington had the task of making the audience laugh out loud. The comedy generally worked well, combining old-school jokes, puns and hilarious slapstick with tear-streaming innuendo, regional jibes and self-aware adverts for sponsors. The fourth wall went completely out of the window, with occasional off-the-cuff banter between actors and audience. Children and adults alike seemed to enjoy building a rapport with the stars and joining in with song and dance routines and the inevitable, but brilliantly done, “IT’S BEHIND YOU!!!!”
So - if you like pantomime, you will LOVE this Nottingham Playhouse production. It has a bit of everything for everyone. Singing, dancing, acting, laughter and an array of visual delights produced a wonderful evening’s entertainment. Oh, and did I mention that it got me in the mood for Christmas?!
If you can’t access the theatre in person this season, Nottingham Playhouse also has an online watch party on selected dates. Further information on these can be found here.
Dick Whittington is available to enjoy in person until 14 January. Book your tickets here.
*Disclaimer: AD | Gifted Tickets
