Hope Street Theatre, Liverpool – until 31 December 2023
Reviewed by Jen Hughes Daley
5*****
Sprayed with a water pistol, caught a few flying sweets and deafened by children screaming at a mischievous monkey, Dick Whittington has all the panto traditions and a few surprises too! This Christopher Jones production did not disappoint! Oozing with scouse-isms and a slathering of grown up innuendo (I mean – it is Dick Whittington!), this performance showcased some superb young talent and many familiar faces too. Lesley Butler was outstanding in her role as Queen Rat, her panto villain scurried around the stage, reveling in the boos and plotting against our hero, Dick with more than a few parting, hilarious insults.
Cruising upon the well-known maritime vessel, The Ferry and the Fairy sail spectacularly across the Mersey on a mission to seal Dick’s fate as Mayor of Liverpool, supported by his loyal moggy, Tilly the Cat (Freya Barnes). This small intimate venue allowed for some hilarious audience engagement, most of which was as the hands of the slapstick Idle Jack (Kieran Maleedy) and Sarah the Cook , raucously played by John Garfield Roberts.
Wonderfully supported by talented local dancers, the musical numbers were in abundance with some super vocal talents and choreography . An audience of all ages laughed and booed together. We are already looking forward to next year’s offering from Just Entertainment.