Dick Whittington, King’s Hall, Ilkley

IT IS panto time again and the Evil King Rat has infested London with thousands of his furry subjects. Enter Dick Whittington who has arrived in the City to seek his fortune and is adopted by Tommy the Cat.

Upstagers have assembled a talented company of nearly 100 children and young adults for this lavish pantomime story of the penniless youth who becomes Lord Mayor of London.

The show is written and directed by Gill Jackson and choreographed by Megan Crowley in the finest Upstagers style. It combines time-honoured pantomime tradition with a modern touch for today’s audiences.

A cast of talented actors who know how to project musical numbers is headed by the experienced Simon Field as Sarah the Cook. Simon, in a variety of flamboyant costumes creates a marvellous pantomime Dame - over the top of course, but not too much so.

Alix Barlow as Dick Whittington and Katherine Robinson as Alice Fitzwarren give appealing if understated performances. The pair could have afforded to let themselves go and play it big. You can get away with this in pantomime.

Both Lucy Carter as the fragrant Fairy Bow Bells and George McInnes-Scaife as an urbane King Rat whom we love to boo, make strong impressions. Michael McGeogh creates an amiable Alderman Fitzwarren and Natasha Wills is a striking singing Sultana of Takoradi with Will Blackie as her Sultan.

Billy Bryant as Idle Jack projects a likeable comic character and strikes a rapport with the audience. Jack Hanson as The Captain of the Saucy Sue and Robert Cox as Mister Mate make a splendid comedy double act. Molly Cheetham is instantly appealing as Tommy the Cat. And no Upstagers Panto would be complete without Deirdre the Dodo, played by Fergal Mullan Wilkinson.

The picture book scenery and costumes look wonderful and the special effects department have created a realistic storm at sea among many more visual spectacles. Phil Walsh and his invaluable orchestra provide the excellent musical backing. Upstagers’ Panto is great fun for all the family. Oh yes it is!

The show runs until Saturday.

by Geoffrey Mogridge