Dick Whittington & His Cat - Review by Alice Wordsworth

**** (4.5 Stars)

Salisbury Playhouse - Friday 6 December, 2013

The theatre was filled with parents, grandparents and young children waving their pantomime paraphernalia, each one fully catered for from the chorus of ‘Silly Willy’, to the booing of the baddie and the Dame’s more outrageous jokes. The extravagant costumes, roller-skating dame the cream cheese pie conjured up the Christmas spirit and had the Playhouse in fits of laughter throughout.

The rhyming language made the story accessible for all and the music is an integral part of this production – the songs having been specially written for the show – and the actors sang and danced with style. Audience interaction immersed us in the absurd world of pantomime and the age old panto jokes were revived with vigour, having the audience in raucous laughter.

King Rat, the baddie, mastered the dark arts brilliantly and the younger members of the cast were a real joy to watch. All the costumes are superb, but the dame’s outfits are exceptional being both comical and creative:  her final appearance as Salisbury Cathedral filling the stage!

My only criticism, in what was an outstanding evening, is that the actors need to be careful not to set their pitch too high in order to fit with the hyped style of panto, as at times it became uncomfortable to listen too. 

All in all, a highly recommended evening for the family, which will put a smile on many faces this Christmas. If you happen to be near Salisbury, take some time to go and see Dick Whittington & His Cat!

Dick Whittington & His Cat is playing at the Salisbury Playhouse until Saturday 11 January, 2014. Book your tickets here: http://www.salisburyplayhouse.com/page/dick-whittington-and-his-cat-2