Wow, what a treat! Dick Whittington at The Bristol Hippodrome is the best Bristol pantomime we have ever seen! Great stars, wonderful sets, fantastic costumes, amazing effects and a very funny script – just a perfect way to get you into the Christmas spirit!
At the heart of the action is star of stage and screen, Shane Richie. Start to finish, he is faultless – funny, charismatic, talented and just a joy to watch. This guy’s the full package – funny, charming, great with the audience and he can sing a bit too.
Of course, we all know the plot (oh yes we do!), with Dick arriving in London to seek his fortune and find love, only to get mixed up in the evil shenanigans of the wicked Queen Rat.
In no-time we are knee deep in panto-style silliness and absolutely loving it! Yes, there’s Dick jokes to the fore, alongside plenty of other double-entendre fun, but nothing that should upset the little ones – even if granny’s enjoying a snigger.
In no time, my family were all joining in with the songs, cheering the goodies and booing the baddies. Special mention has to go to the excellent set pieces, particularly the 12 Days of Christmas sing song and a hilarious skit featuring Dick, the wonderful Peter Piper as Captain Cockles and dame supreme David O’Reilly as Sarah The Cook, miming along to snippets of famous songs.
Throughout, the cast take to their roles with great professionalism, plus they genuinely look as if they’re having a ball. Jennie Dale is suitably villianous as the evil Queen Rat, complete with a whip crack tail; Christine Tucker wonderfully lovely as Alice Fitzwarren – as well as being a dab hand at rat fighting; and the ensemble all just so watchable.
Am I gushing? Do you know, the production deserves it. Throw in some wonderful special effects (the giant rat is genuinely scary, while the flying bus wouldn’t be out of place on Harry Potter) and this is an unbeatable panto that’s a joy from beginning to end. Of yes it is…
Dick Whittington runs at the Bristol Hippodrome until the 5 Jan 2020. Find out more and book tickets here