Pantomime 9-16 January 1999 All Saints Church Hall
Dick Whittington
By David Apps & Gordon Drayson. Directed by David Apps
This well known pantomime bursts on to the stage, as Sanderstead Dramatic Club present another outstanding, fun-filled production. Follow the adventures of Dick and Tiddles his cat as they battle against King Rat, with a brave Fairy Bow Bells assisting our Mr. Whittington.
Meet Sarah in the kitchen and enjoy her cooking in the slapstick scene. Meet the miserable Alderman Fitzwarren and his beautiful daughter Alice plus Captain Cuttle and his crew just back from a long voyage. Watch Dick wrongly accused of theft and see the Bells of London ringing out in the magical transformation scene.
Then it’s off to sea in the Good Ship Lollipop, with its ghosts down in the cargo hold, and the terrible shipwreck where we go down under the sea. In Morocco, Tiddles will come to the rescue of the Sultan in the wrestling match of the millennium. And then back to London for the glittering wedding with one or two surprises.
A sparkling show full of music, colour, fun characters and audience participation.
Cast & crew
Cast
- King Rat
- Gordon Drayson
- Fairy Bow Bells
- Dalma Scott
- Alderman Fitzwarren
- David Apps
- Sarah the Cook
- John Shepherd
- Captain Cuttle
- Tim Crump
- Bosun Billy
- Mick Wall
- Barnacle
- Catherine Yardley
- Dick Whittington
- Fiona Rae
- Tommy the Cat
- John Tait
- Alice Fitzwarren
- Olivia Bradshaw
- Mrs. Millett-Fillet
- Glenys O’Sullivan
- Sultan of Morocco
- David Apps
Chorus
Amanda Bennett, Amanda Berry, Rachel Berry, Emma Finch, Lorraine Glasscock, Michelle Glasscock, Stacey Watman
Children's Chorus: Troupe A
Holly Brown, Bethany Campbell, Hannah List, Gemma Longford, Sarah Rodin, Lauren Showler, Claire Thomas, Michelle Wilson
Children's Chorus: Troupe B
Lauren Archer, Becky Dean, Meganne Frost, Sophie Greenhalgh, Pippa Mitchell, Vanessa Mitchell, Stephanie Shaw, Christie Wyatt
Crew
- Director
- David Apps
- Writer
- David Apps, Gordon Drayson
- Choreographer
- Amanda Berry, Nicola Hilton
- Musical Director
- Ian Rae
- Stage Manager
- John Desbottes
- Assistant Stage Manager
- Dot Reid
- Set Design & Painting
- Di Ralston, Pat Precious
- Set Construction (Scenery)
- Members of the Club
- Lighting Design
- Ian Barlow
- Lighting
- John Barlow, Simon Barlow, Paul Barlow
- Costumes & Wardrobe
- Catherine Yardley, Beryl Noble
- Costumes & Wardrobe (Assistant)
- Members of the Club
- Props
- Members of the Club
- Front of House Manager
- Alan Yardley
- Poster & Artwork (Front Cover Design and Layout)
- Jan Stratton
The Programme
The original programme from the show. Flick through it here, or download a copy to keep.
pages · Souvenir programme
Review
Tommy the cat is a hoot
THIS well-loved tale has been scripted by company members David Apps and Gordon Drayson and the result is more than satisfactory.
There are plenty of groanworthy gags, lots of chances for audience participation, a successful haunted scene and a song-sheet.
The colourful sets (designed by Di Ralston and Pat Precious) are especially well-painted and cheerful and the transformation scene, in which Dick dreams he is being made Lord Mayor of London, is true panto magic.
The only real difference to the traditional story is in the shape of Dick’s cat Tommy and it is a master-stroke.
Far from being just a meowing moggy on all fours, John Tait plays him as a walking, talking character the kids just love.
Reminiscent of the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, Tommy is scared of rats and the only thing which will induce him to do battle with King Rat is to rescue the jam tarts which are his passion.
Gordon Drayson plays evil King Rat with great relish and merits the boos hailed upon him by the audience. Dalma Scott eggs on the goodies as a sparky and sparkling Fairy Bow Bells, and with a suitably Cockney accent which would not be out of place in EastEnders.
John Shepherd is making his eighth consecutive appearance as dame. I last saw him in action as Connie Crusoe two years ago and described him as “being as cosy, comfortable and unglamorous as a pair of well-worn slippers.” I can’t improve upon that now: his Sarah the Cook ladles out just the same helpings of gentle comedy, with the same easy-going delivery, which makes the show go with a swing.
“The transformation scene, in which Dick dreams he is being made Lord Mayor of London, is true panto magic.”
Perhaps, though, it’s time for wardrobe to be persuaded to splash out on a make-over for Mr Shepherd’s old ladies as Sarah’s make-up is pretty gruesome and her only wig a bit boring.
David Apps (co-writer, who also directs) doubles up as Alderman Fitzwarren and his cousin the Sultan of Morocco. Their quiet reserve must run in the family.
Tim Crump, Mick Wall and Catherine Yardley play comic trio Captain Cuttle and his crew, who make the most of the haunted cabin sequence. The slapstick episode in the kitchen is less successful because the small amount of business hasn’t been worked through.
Fiona Rae is a stylish Dick Whittington with fine singing voice, and Olivia Bradshaw is a lively Alice.
Jokes with a local flavour come courtesy of Sanderstead socialite Mrs Millett-Fillett, Glenys O’Sullivan. Creative use of the “babes” from the Hilton Dance Studios adds a great deal to the charm of this panto and they are delightful as ratlings, young shoppers, animals, little sailors and bridesmaids.
There are some good songs and terrific atmospheric incidental music. It’s hard to believe that all the sound comes from just one man in the pit: the talented Ian Rae.
Dick Whittington 1999 Review,