"Dick Whittington"

Nottingham Theatre Royal.

The classic pantomime story of Dick Whittington and his trusty cat, seeking fame and fortune in his quest to become the Lord Mayor of London, but on his way he encounters Queen Rat and aims to rid the city of all of her repugnant rodents.

Traditionally there's a woman who plays the main male character role and we normally see King Rat, as opposed to a female rascally rodent, but that matters not as it's the story and the characters that are more important, especially to the younger audience members.

All pantomimes like to make part of the show into a party. This was not the case with "Dick Whittington" because this was a party which included a pantomime.

Crossroads Pantomimes always manage to throw lots of money behind a pantomime to make them as glittery, sparkly and as big as possible. Even without that money injection I feel that, with the quality of the cast, this show would be just as big a hit as it looks to be turning out to be.

Shane Richie plays Dick Whittington. watching Shane is like going out on a night out with a best buddy who is loved by everyone in the bar. Shane is naturally funny; nothing about his performance is forced. It's like he wandered into the theatre, stayed around for a laugh and a joke and then went home, but in glittery and sparkly clothes. He oozes fun, and that shows with his interaction with the audience. He obviously appeals to all ages because even with the section where the kids come up on stage, he doesn't talk down to them and they loved that. you could tell by the way they responded to him.

Shane Richie is a funny man, and it would make no difference to the part he plays because whatever situation, scene, setting he is in, that easy humour just spills out like a free-flowing stream.

Dick's trusty sidekick cat is played by Kenan-Lewis Smith. This young man athleticism just astounds. No wonder he has been cast in this role because he has feline elasticity with his flips and tumbling, and his high kicks are amazing.

Dr. Ranj plays The Spirit Of The Bow Bells, his costume and make up as shiny as Bow Bells. having been an ex Strictly contestant, this gave him a chance to bust some moves out in a dance off with Shane Richie, resulting in a showdown of party proportions. Some may also be surprised that this man can carry a tune as well, but this isn't the first time that he has appeared in a show that has required a singing role. He is a real team player with some brilliant comic moments that will cure even the deepest winter blues. That is exactly what this doctor ordered!

Anne Smith plays Queen Rat, and along with her rodent friends actually managed to frighten the young child behind me into tears. It could though have been the giant, and when I say giant, I mean GIANT rat which appeared at the start of the panto. IT FILLED THE STAGE!! I personally loved it, and I loved Anne's performance, never giving up the evilness until the end when something occurs to create the U Turn... or was that U bend? One of the best baddies this year. It's not often that you get an evil character that is also a very strong vocalist but Anne provided a surprisingly controlled vocal performance in her solos.

Emily Beth Harrington plays Alice Fitzwarren and what a voice this lady has got. Her vocals are so strong they gave me tingles and certainly ticks the powerhouse vocals box.

There is nothing like a Dame in the world of panto and our Dame, Sarah The Cook, is played by Iain Stuart Robinson. The jokes came fast and furious with Iain, and the three-way comedy section between Iain, Shane and Dr Ranj with the tongue twister was classic panto. Everyone wanted someone to trip up and say the naughty word, which eventually he did. Classic Dame and everything that goes along with the character including some sauciness and the obligatory various costumes.

Just about everything has been put into this show with flying vehicles, giant creatures, pyrotechnics, "accidents", a scene that includes song soundbites aplenty which, although not new, was very comical, touches of "Panto Goes Wrong", the usual song that includes all the cast members with various objects, including a water gun and objects ending up in the audience and so much more. There's so much comedy in this show, even I can't remember every funny bit.

The ensemble of dancers made the choreography look easy but that is because they are all excellent dancers, bursting with energy, and more costume changes than even the Dame! High energy levels went into every choreographed piece performed.

Plenty of music in this show, some that has been heard in other pantos, but there seems to be a penchant for the older tracks this year throughout the area, and there are plenty of party oldies in this show which had the audience boogying in their seats, and on their feet to dance by the end. As I said, this pantomime has a real party feel about it.

The sound for this show was nice and punchy and loud enough to be chunky, making it feel and sound like a concert. I heard every single word apart from just a couple of missed mic cues; going to show that even big productions such as this can miss a mic cue.

Normally, I can choose a favourite panto, or Christmas show, from all of the ones that I have had the pleasure of seeing leading up to Christmas. This year though all the pantos have been so different and there have been parts of every panto and Christmas show that's been different from the others that I've loved, and it's been impossible to choose one show over another. Local theatre is on a par with the big shows like "Dick Whittington" and I have loved every show that I've been to.

"Dick Whittington" is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Sunday 14 January 2024. It definitely has that golden touch.