Dick Whittington and his Trusted Cat (Cheshire)

Venue: Grange Theatre
Where: Hartford

It’s that time of year again – yes panto season is in full
swing and there are a myriad of productions to choose from this year. The Grange Theatre in Hartford is playing
host to the Halle Production’s Dick Whittington and his Trusted Cat.  It is the tried and tested story of a poor
young man Dick (Andy Scott-Lee) who makes his way to London to seek his fortune
and along the way falls in love with Alice (Mia-Jay Clarson) and becomes a
wealthy merchant and eventually the Lord Mayor of London thanks to the rat
caching skills of his cat, Tom (Lydia Louisa).

True to form, there are all the usual suspects present, a
fairy (Naomi Cooper-Davis), dame (Anthony Wren) and great comic support from
Gareth James as Idle Jack, John Garfield-Roberts as Captain Fitzwarren and of
course, local children provided by the Joan Pierpoint school of dance and drama. No panto would be complete with the ‘baddie’
in this case Rowetta of X Factor and Happy Mondays fame as the Rat Queen. 

Packed with songs and classic one liners and actively
encouraging much participation from the audience; Dick Whittington brings to
life the panto tradition in great style and provides festive fun for young and old
alike. 

– Ruth Lovett