Dick Whittington offers everything we’ve come to expect from Inverurie Panto – a “purr-fect” night of knockabout fun and warmth.
Especially in this year’s glittering outing at the town hall thanks to the brilliant device of turning to puppetry magic go bring our bold hero’s cat to life.
Let’s just say this and get it out of the way. Garioch the Cat – or to be more precise Emmah Chibesakunda who performed the role – simply stole the show.
Her skills with Garioch were so slickly professional it was as if she had stepped off the stage of Broadway hit Avenue Q. Lip-synching with her feline creation perfectly, Emmah brought Garioch to life, while also acting out every second of the role.
Dick Whittington is a panto to remember at Inverurie Town Hall
That’s not an easy task, but she did it with real character, boundless energy, comedic timing second to none, some slick dance moves, a brilliant Doric accent and an amazing singing voice.
Emmah is a name to remember, because we’ll be hearing it again, I reckon. Certainly if the reaction from the audience – especially the kids – is anything to go by. They loved her.
But Dick Whittington itself is a panto to remember, simply crammed with great song and dance numbers, slapstick fun, rapid-fire gags and more “oh no you won’ts” and boos and hisses than you’d think possible to fit into two hours.
It sticks to the story of Dick Whittington – dashingly essayed by the talented Cara Sutherland – seeking his fortune, thwarting the plans of the evil King Rat and finding true love on his way to becoming Lord Mayor Of London.
King Rat of a panto villain as Dick Whittington lights up Inverurie
As panto baddies go, Kevin Littlejohn is possibly one of the best in the north-east as the villainous leader of the rats.
He slinks around the stage in fine style, rousing the audience into choruses of boos and hisses effortlessly and has one of the finest evil villain cackles I’ve heard all panto season. Truly a King Rat of a performance.
Another joy to watch was Rachael Henderson as Fairy Beau-Belle, who was a perfect foil to King Rat’s dastardly deeds – and she has a sublime singing voice that made every number she was in shine.
Comedy came courtesy of the double act of Gavin McKay on dame duties as Sarah The Cook, with Amanda Yule as her daft laddie Idle Jack.
The pair of them had nice chemistry with each other and the audience and a line in groanworthy jokes that would earn them life membership of the Christmas Cracker Gag Writers Guild.
Oh, and whatever you do, don’t drink the milk at their house. If you know, you know.
Dick Whittington is a traditional panto with a twist
Dick Whittington sets out to be a traditional panto with a twist – said twist being Garioch the Cat – and those trad elements are very much present and correct.
Audience participation is king for this show, with the boys and girls – and mums and dads – involved in the action from the get-go. But why do the goodies never listen when we’re all telling them not not believe the baddies? I suppose it would be a short panto if they did.
And then there’s the throwing out of the sweeties, the singalong song, and – something I haven’t seen for such a long time – the cast waiting in the foyer to say goodnight to the audience as they leave.
How to get tickets for Dick Whittington at Inverurie Town Hall
It’s a lovely touch that just drives home how much of a local celebration the Inverurie Panto is – and Dick Whittington does it with style.
So turn again, Dick Whittington fans, and head for Inverurie Town Hall. You won’t regret it.
Dick Whittington runs until Christmas Eve. For more information and tickets go to inveruriepanto.com
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