Nottingham Playhouse

You know that Christmas has arrived when panto season kicks in, and this year’s Christmas present from Kenneth Alan Taylor will have everyone ‘Rockin’ all over the world!’

For any people that don’t already know, Dick is moving with his family to London so that they can make their fortune. But they soon discover the roads aren’t paved with gold. Not only is King Rat planning to overrun the whole of London with a plague of rats, but fairy Bow Bells can’t remember which story. To top it all off, Dick is and accused of stealing and kicked out of London. Thankfully it’s not all bad: Dick falls in love with Alice, Mrs Fitzwarren’s daughter, and ends up travelling around the world with his infamous cat to be re-united with his brother (Jack), Mother (Sarah) and of course Alice the love of his life.

You can’t help but love the magic of panto, with amazing costumes and plenty of glitter, because even though the plot is predictable, you find yourself lost in a magical place for the whole two hour duration: singing, clapping and laughing along.

If I were to criticise this panto, I would probably mention the lack of extravagant set in comparison with previous years and a few too many songs for my liking, but the talented dames John Elkington and Jeffrey Longmore, who are able to mix well-known jokes with spontaneous ad-lib still steal the show. Although casting Dick as a man instead of a woman may go against the accepted ‘Panto’ code, it actually worked really well.

Basically, if you’ve never been to a panto at Nottingham Playhouse then it’s time to see what you’ve been missing. It’s always accessible, funny, bang up to date and fun for all the family, with memorable characters and loads of audience participation for a perfect way to start the festive season.

By Rachel Knott (Heanor Gate Science College)

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I thought that the panto was a particularly great hit, there was everything that could be wanted in a panto in this one. There were a range of different features used like my particular favourite the 3D Specs and 3D effects, also I thought the use of UV light and black light theatre was really entertaining. The catchy beats and music had me humming them under my breath all the way home, the dancers and dance routines were so in time with the music and were a real pleasure to watch. Though I must say that the improvisation incorporated by many and in particular the Dames was amusingly witty for adults and hilariously comical for kids. Overall I would recommend the panto Dick Whittington to anyone who wishes to have a fun filled and enjoyable evening that doesn’t seem to last long enough!

Vicky Allcoat Toot Hill

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Dick Whittington

As festive fun breaks out across the world, as trees are decorated and presents are wrapped The Nottingham Playhouse begins it all ,PANTOMIME. That is right another fantastic year and another spectacular offering of Dick Whittington. We follow Dick on his adventure to London with his cat to find his fame and fortune.

On his arrival he meets Mrs.Fitzwarren and her adorable daughter Alice .The scene is set for romance, glory and silly jokes until evil king rat plagues the play with his menacing plot. With the help of Sarah the cook ,Fairy bow Bells and lots of pantomime cheer Dick follows his dream to become Lord Mayor of London.

No good Panto is complete without the fun, frolics and frilliness of the Playhouse Dames. In this production John Elkington and Jeffrey Longmore once again thrill the playhouse audience with their classic "he’s behind you’ jokes and hilarious digs at the poor folk in Mansfield. I am never disappointed by the grand variety of ludicrous dresses and the comic rapport between these two actors leading to a memorable night for the young and old alike.

As well as the renowned Dames the rest of the cast flung themselves enthusiastically into a variety of song and dance routines no matter how cheesy they were.

My favourite part of any panto performance is when everything goes to pot leading to the highly hilarious add lib routines which always have me chuckling in my seat, once again there were plenty of those. In my opinion the Christmas season could not have kicked off with a greater start than a visit to Dick Whittington at the Playhouse. It is a simple classic tale where good conquers evil and everyone leaves the theatre feeling warm and happy inside. Merry Christmas!

Millie Turner

This year’s Pantomime at the Nottingham Playhouse had a great deal to live up to after all the previous successes: ‘Sleeping Beauty’ and ‘Cinderella’ are just a couple of recent phenomena’s to mention. However, ‘Dick Whittington’ did not fail to impress. It’s sparkling set, talented performers, special 3D effect and modern choice of songs se t apart from all the rest. There wasn’t a boring moment throughout despite it nearly lasting three hours.

The audience was simply too enthralled to notice the time passing by. We were clapping along, standing up and dancing. Shouting ‘encore’ and, of course the old classic, ‘it’s behind you!’ But a Panto would not be a Panto without the audience’s constant bickering with the protagonist. ‘Oh yes it is’…‘Oh no it isn’t!’

A must see for Children, Adults and Teenagers alike. There are some jokes which appeal much more to the older generation so they shouldn’t be afraid to go! Don’t use the excuse that you’re only there because your child wanted to go, see it for yourself! A fun-filled, magical evening bringing a diverse amount of people together. Definitely a breath of fresh air from the ‘real’ world.

What The Critics Said (03-Dec-07)

"This is a riotous, rollicking, razzamatazz of a show..."

The joy of the Playhouse pantomime is that it’s like catching up with old friends... and having a fabulous time together.

The secret is the tight ensemble, festive familiarity and frolics galore...

…beloved regulars Jeffrey Longmore, as Sarah the Cook, and John Elkington, as Mrs Fitzwarren … Their verbal interplay as ever, makes the show.

John Gully is a dastardly King Rat and Nathan Dowling is a sparky and popular Idle Jack.

The costumes are colourful and outrageously spectacular, accentuating Tim Meacock’s wonderful designs and the use of 3D glasses add lustre to an effective aquatic sequence.

This is a riotous, rollicking, razzamatazz of a show and there isn’t a better place to be (as our American cousins might say) this holiday season.

Phil Ball Nottingham Evening Post

... altogether spectacular ...

... Rebecca Little’s endearingly forgetful Fairy Bowbells ...

... Longmore’s lugubrious countenance and spindly legs make him the perfect foil for the cheery Elkington ...

... musically lively ... powerful vocals from Jenny Fitzpatrick...

... visually stunning...

Fabulous.

Pat Ashworth, The Stage

…until you’ve been to the panto you’re not really into the spirit of Christmas. Nottingham Playhouse does one of the best traditional pantos in the country with all the actors pulling together as a team, some of them regulars here for years…

...Kenneth Alan Taylor … [has] lost none of his old magic...

...wonderfully humorous costumes...

Nathan Dowling: huge personality and instant rapport with the audience

King Rat (John Gully): dastardly ... He had a nice line in comic asides for the adults interspersed with his threats and malice.

... yet another winner ...

Highly recommended for children of all ages!

Elaine Peel, Theatreworld Internet Magazine

...an explosion of sparkle and song...

...the theatre’s cracking Christmas offering...

...an excellent orchestra – which joined in the revelry with relish...

Stalwart dames Jeffrey Longmore, as Sarah, and John Elkington, as Mrs Fitzwarren, well deserve their glowing reputation...

Richard Kay and Jenny Fitzpatrick: incredible voices

...the acrobatic Hannah Everitt, as the cat, Rebecca Little, as the scatty fairy, and John Gully, as King Rat, gave stellar performances.

Also standing out for me was Nathan Dowling as Jack, who played the part with energy from start to finish and seemed to truly get into the panto spirit.

My favourite bits were the segment of the story in 3D and an inspired scene with ultraviolet skeletons singing tunes like ’I Ain’t Got Nobody’.

And on top of all that you had the topical and brilliant script by Kenneth Alan Taylor and the hilarious and incredible costumes the Playhouse panto is famous for.

I can easily say I have never seen an audience more excited about a production, and I am sure I was not the only one who left the theatre looking forward to Christmas that little bit more.

Melissa Shaw, Mansfield

Chad

Another wonderfully funny, fast-moving, laughter-filled extravaganza...

Kev Castle, Nottingham Hospitals Radio

...it’s a cracker...

...full of colourful costumes, sensational sets, super singing, creative choreography, marvellous music and jovial jokes.

... a fantastic ultra-violet scene … and a superb 3D shipwreck scene ...

Richard Kay: a handsome Dick Whittington with a deep and sexy voice

The acrobatic Hannah Everitt

Jeffrey Longmore: outstanding

Jenny Fitzpatrick: pretty as a picture

John Gully: an excellent and malevolent King Rat

Rebecca Little: absolutely hilarious

... great entertainment.

Dawn Bond, Newark Advertiser

The audience roared their approval throughout...

Keith Armstrong, The Topper

It’s Whittington’s turn again, and it’s fantastic fun

Full to the brim with extravagant glittery sets, big frocks, musical numbers and audience interaction...

[3D] – a truly entertaining scene...

Jeffrey Longmore and John Elkington – Kenneth Alan Taylor’s superb dames of choice – yet again don the extravagant and fabulous frocks this year...

The wonderfully entertaining Nathan Dowling...

The cast are as wonderfully over the top and fun to watch as they have been in previous years...

Hannah Everitt and Jenny Fitzpatrick: both excellent additions to the cast...

Fantastic fun and the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit...

... impossible not to get carried away.

Emma Halford, Derby Trader

...a must for the family....

Hannah Everitt: a purrfect performance

John Gully: a superb performance

Alice Fitzwarren: in fine voice

Credit to Fairy Bowbells (Rebecca Little) who gave us plenty of laughs...

A great 3D special effects scene...

Great fun and everyone works so hard...

Next year’s show is Aladdin – we’ll be there!

Teresa Gorecka-Marshall, Nottingham Recorder

...ideal escapism for the whole family...

... a dose of slapstick liberally sprinkled with plenty of laughs ...

... something for all the family ...

... two outrageous dames … wonderful at ad-libbing … their audience interaction is a joy to behold

... the stand-out feature this year has to be the inclusion of a three-dimensional scene ...

John Gully’s King Rat: evidently evil but with a definite comic twist

...an evening of sheer escapism ...

...get along the A52 pronto...

You’ll like it – oh yes you will.

Zena Hawley, Derby Evening Telegraph

...another hit panto with wild, vivid costumes, familiar songs and plenty of laughs...

...extremely festive and sparkly and bright...

The Cat – a girl – was an impressive gymnast and the dances were all choreographed well.

The ’moving’ bed scene and other special effects were a hit including the Rat dressed as Johnny Depp from Pirates of the Caribbean. Also we loved the ultraviolet skeleton bone scene ….

We both adored the wedding dress at the end. All in all - a really good show.

Scores: 9.5/ 10

Anna May and Jenny (16), BBC Nottingham online

A great panto this year with lots of laughing and ad libs – plenty of jokes for both adults and kids.

A popular cast included two dames – the elegant Sarah the Cook in her amazing costumes and the entertaining Mrs Fitzwarren who could ad-lib her way out of any situation and keep the audience laughing.

King Rat : riveting and the epitome of all evil.

... a great night out with wild, vivid costumes, familiar songs and plenty of laughs.

Scores: 9 out of 10

Annie and Jay (ages unavailable), BBC Nottingham online