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Review: WADS pantomime Dick Whittington 2008
In the immortal words of Lisa Barker: “This was not just ANY
pantomime, this was a WITCHFORD Pantomime” and a fine
pantomime it was tool If you were looking to be entertained by strong
identifiable characters – they were all there: the larger-than-life evil
King Rat (Neil Pilling), the bubbly, voluptuous Fairy Bowbells (Sarah
Boor), hero of the day Dick Whittington (Claire Mead), over-
dramatising Dame (Ian Roberts), fine upright alderman (Joe Robbins),
beautiful maiden (Carol Robbins), lithe, scratchy cat (Katharine
Hardman), rogues in league (Ian Peckham and Adrian Peberdy),
hearty, rollicking ships’ captain (Teresa Dixon), fun-loving princess
(Lisa Barker), alluring women from the east (Claire Skilbeck and Jo
Peacock) and powerful Sultan (Nick Holdsworth).
Shrouded in all manner of colours, lights and mysterious emissions
and enhanced with an amazing array of accurately timed sound
effects these characters told a fantastic tale that brought Witchford
College’s stage alive. Hosts of young participants filled the stage in
masterfully-designed scenes: amazingly swift and realistically-
sounding Rats and Rockers, along with adult chorus, peasants,
mermaids, fish, friends, cats, sailors, entourage to the Sultan, kittens
and fairies all inspired the imagination handsomely.
Costumes and scenery were wonderful, as to be expected in one of
Witchford’s productions, but most impressive of all was the series of
sing-a-long songs that captured the spirit of the play superbly. The
quality of the singing was magnificent and the band outstanding.
Congratulations must go to the musical director Jonathan Carter
(keyboards) and his team: John Rodford (guitar), Sam Peckham
(bass) and Trevor Carter (drums).
But a play can never be a good play without a good writer and director
and Ivan Green certainly fitted the bill here. Branches into traditional
verse, groan-type plays on words, skits that brought out the silliness
in all of us and the occasional quip about local matters made for a
thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining show. Other key contributors
were Producer David Hardman, music co-ordinator Naomi D’Cuhna,
choreographer Lisa Barker and the very large, very effective
production team. Oh and, as one would expect, there were a couple of
fine gorillas too.
This show was certainly one of Witchford’s best.
Dr. R.J.Westwell (PhD, MA TESOL, MA Ed, B Mus, BA Hons)
In the immortal words of Lisa Barker: “This was not just ANY
pantomime, this was a WITCHFORD Pantomime” and a fine
pantomime it was tool If you were looking to be entertained by strong
identifiable characters – they were all there: the larger-than-life evil
King Rat (Neil Pilling), the bubbly, voluptuous Fairy Bowbells (Sarah
Boor), hero of the day Dick Whittington (Claire Mead), over-
dramatising Dame (Ian Roberts), fine upright alderman (Joe Robbins),
beautiful maiden (Carol Robbins), lithe, scratchy cat (Katharine
Hardman), rogues in league (Ian Peckham and Adrian Peberdy),
hearty, rollicking ships’ captain (Teresa Dixon), fun-loving princess
(Lisa Barker), alluring women from the east (Claire Skilbeck and Jo
Peacock) and powerful Sultan (Nick Holdsworth).
Shrouded in all manner of colours, lights and mysterious emissions
and enhanced with an amazing array of accurately timed sound
effects these characters told a fantastic tale that brought Witchford
College’s stage alive. Hosts of young participants filled the stage in
masterfully-designed scenes: amazingly swift and realistically-
sounding Rats and Rockers, along with adult chorus, peasants,
mermaids, fish, friends, cats, sailors, entourage to the Sultan, kittens
and fairies all inspired the imagination handsomely.
Costumes and scenery were wonderful, as to be expected in one of
Witchford’s productions, but most impressive of all was the series of
sing-a-long songs that captured the spirit of the play superbly. The
quality of the singing was magnificent and the band outstanding.
Congratulations must go to the musical director Jonathan Carter
(keyboards) and his team: John Rodford (guitar), Sam Peckham
(bass) and Trevor Carter (drums).
But a play can never be a good play without a good writer and director
and Ivan Green certainly fitted the bill here. Branches into traditional
verse, groan-type plays on words, skits that brought out the silliness
in all of us and the occasional quip about local matters made for a
thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining show. Other key contributors
were Producer David Hardman, music co-ordinator Naomi D’Cuhna,
choreographer Lisa Barker and the very large, very effective
production team. Oh and, as one would expect, there were a couple of
fine gorillas too.
This show was certainly one of Witchford’s best.
Dr. R.J.Westwell (PhD, MA TESOL, MA Ed, B Mus, BA Hons)