What a way to finish one's year of reviewing... with NWTAC's pantomime in Moston, North Manchester. With their winning combination of tutors, professional actors, students and children, you can guarantee a festive treat of a truly traditional nature for all the family. I would be telling an untruth if I were to say that this was not the best pantomime that NWTAC have produced so far, and my companion this afternoon has said that it was the most enjoyable she has seen this season! So hats off to all, all round!
A few variations of traditional themes throughout (such as a shark instead of a ghost, or the Sultan of Morocco being a King of Scotland with an atrociously and deliberately bad accent). But the funniest and most endearing changes came with their casting. Instead of the traditional two bumbling policemen, we now had a rough and brusque sea captain and his inept mate, Captain Stan Dup (Maria Collins) and Neil Down (Katie Gough) who together provided the knockabout silliness to a Tee. Whilst casting James Llewelyn Burke as Fairy Tinkle was simply inspired! Absolutely hilarious, and he carried it off so well.
Idle Jack (Anthony Horricks) had also been given a character make-over, and this worked well for him too. Normally Jack would be the 'nice' one to work with the kids and be 'on their side', but here he was more the truculent and awkward rebel with a great line in modern vernacular.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Pab Singh, NWTAC's owner and director, makes an excellent Dame. And here, as Sarah the Cook, he was in his element. Plenty of silly visual and pun-style gags for the youngsters, whilst some brilliantly timed adult gags were expertly cast over the young ones' heads.
The main cast completed with Paige Garth as a traditional Principal Boy, Dick Whittington; Evie Lucas as the 'love interest', Alice Fitzwarren; Millie Potts as a perfectly evil and engaging Queen Rat, Erin Carty as The Aldi-man (yes, that's one of their jokes) Fitzwarren, and another young girl, Poppy Evans, as the all-dancing cat with attitude, Microwave.
Four dancers / ensemble came on for some of the song / dance routines, and these were Lilly Taylor, Georgia Anderson, Ese Umudi, and Tallulah McDermott, who also donned the ginger wig and tartan kilt for her cameo as King Scott Land.
With plenty of colouful costumes, painted flats, audience participation and repartee, and some upbeat contemporary songs, this was a family treat which is guarateed to whisk away any between Christmas and New Year blues. The entire cast were giving 100% and enjoying every second of their stage time, and one simply cannot ask for more than that...oh no we can't!
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 30.12.22
We have just returned from watching Dick Whittington. We had such a good time and belly laughed throughout ! Perfect way to end the Year! Great cast and lovely theatre.
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