Reader Reviews
Dick Whittington and His Cat (Hackney Empire, Outer London)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | I HAVE COPIED THIS FROM THE RNT'S MUCH ADO REVIEWS BECAUSE IT WAS IN THE WRING PLACE !!! - GARETH JAMES I don’t normally take time to review pantomimes, but I had to share my excitement over the wonderfully produced and executed panto, Dick Whittington at the January 5th Hackney Empire theatre (matinee). To put it bluntly, I thought I’d seen it all in the way of panto, as a school teacher who makes annual pilgrimages to pantos with his students, I had no appetite to see yet another one. So I went, (more like was dragged) half kicking, half screaming, by my wife who frankly, wouldn’t shut up about Sophia Ragavelas. My argument for not going was simply this; if Sophia was really that special, she couldn’t possibly shine in a panto as my wife alleges she did starring as Sophie in Mamma Mia. After all, how much can one shine amidst a bunch of slapstick with the occasional song and dance routine thrown in between custard pie gags? Firstly, no matter how predictable or formulaic the genre, this production was a refreshing reminder that well-timed jokes, well-sung songs and well-danced dances are still a delight. Sophia Ragavelas is the consummate performer who sings and dances as if she were imported from some fairyland of perfectly polished panto performers (pardon the alliteration). Even though this panto was the furthest thing from provincial community theatre, it might as well have been when contrasted with Sophia’s unique presence. My comments are not meant in any way to belittle the other cast members, but rather reflect my diminished capacity as a writer after still suffering from the stunned state Sophia’s performance left me in. Anyone attuned to the finer points of theatre, or for that matter, anyone with working eyes and ears, must admit that the performance of Sophia was ethereal. Her singing was effortless with a refined yet full, richly textured and surprisingly powerful voice. Her movements and acting the personification of refined grace, and her overall likeability is something, I doubt not even as good an actor as she, could fake. I am an inventor, and my next invention will be to invent an automatic boot programmed to kick me in the backside every time my wife reminds me of my missed opportunity to se Sophia as Sophie in Mamma Mia. My only consolation is that she is supposedly starring in a production of Never Forget at the Savoy theatre in May of 2008. I plan to be one of the first to attend, and my wife will not need to drag me this time. It is said that in art, there is no small thing. Sophia left no stone unturned/unexplored as she poured every ounce of her abundant talent into her role, elevating the genre of panto to an art form I didn’t think possible, until now. I’d love to write more, but I have to go to my workshop now, and get to work on my automatic kicker. Sincerely, Timothy Winey - Timothy Winey 06 J - Timothy Witnet | 11 Jan 08 |
| That should have been a 5 ! - Gareth James | 10 Jan 08 |
| This is a local theatre totally in tune with its local audience and giving them the highest quality panto you could imagine. It has very good original music, colourful sets, terrific costumes, propbably the best Dame now in the business (Clive Rowe) and an enthusiastic cast of local youngsters. The huge Hackney auditorium becomes intimate as absolutley everyone is made to feel welocme, at home and involved. I've been a lover of Stratford East's pantos for ages, but this tops even the best of theirs. Wonderful! - Gareth James | 10 Jan 08 |
