Returning to Above The Stag Theatre in Vauxhall this year is an updated version of the highly acclaimed adult panto Dick Whittington – A New Dick In Town.
Dick Whittington and his Cat Pug, Ariana, arrive in the bright lights of London to seek a new life for themselves. But in London, you’re never more than six feet from a rat and Queen Rat takes an instant dislike to him, doing all she can do chase him out of town. A chance meeting with Alex Fitzwarren sees Dick invited to work at the family undertakers, where he can live upstairs. But when the shop is threatened with closure, a plan is hatched to fly abroad to find Sarah the Cook’s long lost brother-in-law, who has they key to the secret safe containing the money they need to survive.
Reprising his role as Sarah is Matthew Baldwin who really is the best panto dame (the fact this is his seventh time doing panto at this venue really says it all). His performance is very natural and doesn’t come across as overplaying the character the way most dames do. His version of Sarah is quick whitted and common as muck, in a beautifully vile way. And don’t try to heckle (as one man in the front row did, repeatedly) because he will tear you down in a second!
Jonny Peyton-Hill gives a cute and bouncy performance as Dick Whittington. He is very engaging and would make a brilliant childrens entertainer. Bradley Walwyn has his work cut out for him playing both Fitzwarren brothers (sometimes simultaneously) but succeeds, flitting between the two joyously. Keanu Adolphus Johnson and Nikki Biddington also give strong performances as Alex and Queen Rat.
Dick Whittington – A New Dick In Town is a really fun, camp night out and a brilliant way to start feeling christmassy!
★★★★★
Reviewed by West End Wilma