Arts > Theatre

Dick Whittington and his cat

Norwich Theatre Royal

16/12/21

Out of all the traditional pantomime plays, Dick Whittington and his Cat is probably my favourite. Not only is it the only one that is based on a real-life character  (Richard Whittington was a wealthy merchant who became Lord Mayor of London back in the 14thcentury), but it is earliest pantomime that I remember seeing at Norwich's Theatre Royal. Back in 1983 it was Paul Henry (Benny from 'Crossroads') playing the part of Idle Jack whilst Judith Mars donned the tights to play Dick.

This year it is CBeebies television presenter Gyasi Sheppy that sets off to seek a fortune in London town, with a supporting cast drawn from the worlds of comedy and dance, as well as television. Once again the show is written by pantomime stalwart Richard Gauntlett, who returns to Norwich Theatre Royal for an unbelievable 21stseason, stepping out in 2021 as Sarah the Cook.

The script sees Dick Whittington and his Cat pursuing love interest Alice Fitzwarren (Jarnéia Richard-Noel) on board the 'Queen's Revenge', a poorly-disguised cruise ship captained by the evil Queen Rodentia (Siân Reeves), setting sail from London's Cheapside Quay with a stolen map, in search of pirate treasure. It is an interesting version of the story, and adds plenty of scope for music and laughter, as well as some spectacular stage sets.

Prior to their departure we are treated to some acrobatic comedy routines featuring Joe Pollard as Idle Jack teaming up with Gauntlett's Sarah the Cook inside Fitzwarren's Empor-in-ium, demonstrating both agility and superb comic timing. Pollard plays it with a blend of Frank Spencer and Norman Wisdom , whilst Gauntlett channels the very spirit of Are You Being Served's Mrs Slocombe.

Tommy the Cat is played with similar enthusiasm, and boundless energy, by Joe Tracini, who quickly becomes the audience favourite. Dressed in ginger cat costume and hooped t-shirt he embodies a cross between Charlie Drake, Where's Wally and Ed Sheeran (especially in the scene where he sings and plays the ukelele).
 
Siân Reeves is clearly loving the part of Queen Rodentia – she is gorgeously and beautifully evil, in a Jack Sparrow, Pirates of the Caribbean, kind of way, but manages to get all the kids in the audience booing her at every opportunity. Meanwhile, dancer Shakeel Kimotho (as Beau Bells, The Spirit of the Bells) is wonderfully lithe and fluid and moves with all the elegance and strength that one would expect from someone who has worked with Matthew Bourne. Jarnéia Richard-Noel makes for a strong and independent Alice, everything that she embodied as Catherine of Aragon in the musical Six, yet the chemistry between her character and Gyasi Sheppy's Dick Whittington is heartwarmingly believable.
 
Graham Cole plays it with straight authority as both Alderman Fitzwarren and his twin brother Captain Seadog, and gamely puts up with all the joke references to The Bill, before coming to the rescue and providing a ship back to London for our pantomime heroes.
 
With this show having been postponed from 2020, it already seems too long since I was last sitting in Norwich Theatre Royal enjoying the pantomime, but this production really is a delight. Congratulations to Richard Gauntlett, and to co-director and choreographer Daniel Maguire (the dancers really are superb), to musical director and arranger Mark Read, and to the whole team for some spectacular sets, wonderful lighting and great costumes.
 
Make sure that you don't miss out on what will almost certainly the best feel-good night out (or matinee) on offer in Norwich over the festive season.