Jonathan Wilkes took centre stage last night as the lovable hero Dick Whittington in the Regent theatres Christmas pantomimes Dick Whittington. This will be Wilkes’ fifth regent panto in a row, and it seems the audience love having him back again.
Dick Whittington is a show which gets better and better as the story unfolds, from the brilliant cast to the amazing set designs, the show combines the latest in chart music, theatrics to of course the expected classical panto silliness and gags.
The cast this year features a whole load of stars, including American star and former singer of Three Degrees, Sheila Ferguson playing the graceful Fairy Oatcakes. Gracing the stage in a sparkly silver and purple dress she brings wit and humour to this much loved panto character. A high point of the whole night has to be her effortless musical rendition of When Will I See You Again.
But that’s if the audience could possibly forget the hilarious performance of The Good Ship Lollipop by comedian Christian Patterson playing Dick’s mother, Sarah the Cook.
He steals the show with not only his flamboyant and oversized costumes but creates the funniest jokes that have the audience in stitches.
The relationship between Patterson and Wilkes on stage is truly magical and throughout the show the pair breaks out in uncontrollable spontaneous laughter.
Pete Conway, the father of none other than Stokes’ former Take That member, Robbie, plays the character of Alderman FitzWilliams and model Amy Diamond plays his sweet and innocent daughter, Alice FitzWilliams who falls in love with our hero Dick.
Of course no panto is complete without a villain, someone who the crowd love to hate and boo on and off stage. This year’s lovable villain King Rat is played by the extremely talented Steven Serlin accompanied by cousins Aaron and Andrew Corden as his break dancing henchmen.
Stokes’ top talent winner Su Annagib plays the sultry and demanding sultana of Morocco and Kayleigh McIntyre plays Whittington’s best friend, the loveable Tommy the Cat.
Dick Whittington is a must see, it will have you laughing from start to finish and will take you back to your childhood days and what you loved so much about the spirit of pantomime. Suitable for all the family it makes a great night out. You can catch Dick Whittington at the Regent Theatre, Hanley, from now until the 10th January 2010.
vickilheath
