You have to give it to Louth Playgoers - one of the most ambitious local theatre groups in the Lincolnshire area. Though this particular production isn't quite firing on all cylinders, there are plenty of things that keep this ship afloat. Perhaps most importantly, the kids will love it.
The show gets off to an explosive start (Katrina and the Waves' 1985 smash hit 'Walking on Sunshine') before Dick (Emma Wighton) and his faithful cat, Tammy (Evelyn Lovelle and Halle O'Hare sharing the role on alternating performances) set sail for Morocco, to find his destiny, as encouraged to do so by Fairy Bow Belle (Laura Harris).
It's a pretty incongruous opening and puts the show on an unsettled footing. This is not a faithful adaptation of the Dick Whittington lore, which in itself might not be so problematic if it were replaced with a tale of great imagination. Instead, the story meanders from one pantomime skit to another, without any real build or, indeed, effective linking. Suffice to say, do not expect a shipwreck, any of the Fitzwarren's, Dame Sarah the Cook, or even a desert island.
However, as ramshackle and disconnected as this pantomime is, the individual scenes, skits and performances are remarkably good. Vocally, it's one of the strongest pantos I've seen, with solos, chorus numbers and duets pleasing audiences across the demographics, admirably supported by an impressive live musical quartet, under the musical direction of Nicola Law. Jed Spittle as the Sultan Pepper, and Ellie Johnson as Dick's simple-minded brother Dom Whittington, in particular, plough on through the relentless jokes with wide-eyed energy; and, while Louise Ray's Queen Rat may appear rather subdued among the overblown performances around her, her songs are extremely strong contenders for the best numbers in the jam-packed, two-hour show.
It's a pantomime of endearing double acts: Emma Wighton and Sophie Browne, as Dick and Alice Pepper, handle the romance with sure-fire traditional panto gusto (even the tender moments are affectionately lampooned, it seems) while the official comedy duo on offer here, Snicker (Georgia Pearson) and Guffaw (Philip Marshall Jnr.) are clearly at ease with each other, delivering many asides and supposed ad-libs when sharing each other's company, and giving the audience plenty of opportunity for vocal participation. Equally captivating is Jamie Smith as Dame Helga Hootenanny, in a slightly underwritten role but nevertheless, giving a robust performance; chewing up the scenery and playing to the crowd with a devilishly cheeky quip. Avril Lavigne's 'Girlfriend' proves to be the perfect vehicle for an entrance number for Smith, in what stands to be one of the most rousing, and hilarious, moments of the show, and one of the greater (albeit delayed) entrances made by a Dame. The chorus, admittedly, aren't given a lot to do, but the supporting cast do bring the scenes to life; filling the stage and clearly having a good, and infectious, time. The choreography, particularly from local dance group Studio 2000, is extremely effective in bolstering the wonderful song-and-dance numbers, which will have you singing along and your toes-tapping.
That's all more than sufficient to keep this panto ship afloat, notwithstanding the strong set-pieces, such as the unruly classroom sketch, the clever 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?' rip-off, or Snicker's and Guffaw's solid rendition of the Monty Python modern-classic 'The Song That Goes Like This'. The costumes do not disappoint, with an impressive seven people behind-the-scenes working on them, and, while the set design may not "pop" as much as the lighting and the performances, it's still a spectacle in itself - oh, the magic of theatre, or rather more, pantomime!
This is a joyous, well-paced, and well-spirited pantomime. It may not be paved with gold, but it frequently sparkles.
Dick Whittington is being performed at Louth Riverhead Theatre until 19th Sunday 2025, at various times. Please click on the link below for more information and to buy tickets.
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