If you like pantomime, you will love Dick Whittington and His Cat, now showing at the Tivoli Theatre in Aberdeen. This isn’t the first time the spectacular Christmas pantomime has appeared at the Tivoli, as the 1960s poster in the programme boasts: “Twelve wonderful scenes of colour and gaiety, with a cast of top-flight pantomime stars” – and not much has changed in 50 years. But this year, the Attic Theatre company are behind the magic.
It’s not exactly the real-life story of Richard Whittington, as it’s set in the land of Aberdonia, where the streets are filled with “black gold”, and the poverty-stricken Dick is doon fae Turriff to find his fortune.
The principal role is played brilliantly by primary school teacher Emma Anne Gibb, while Emily Maciver plays Tommy T. Cat, and they’re a purrfect match for each other.
Hazel Heid is the hilarious dame, played by Mike Taylor, a loon from Portsoy who carries off heels and a frock so very well. Her “son” Peter Heid is played by Hannah Smith, a country quine new to Attic Theatre.
Hazel Heid thinks her loon should have been called Richard . . . and you can see where this is going. It’s a family show full of local references and laughs, and very good it is, too. The audience was engaged from the off, and the show’s two-week run kicked off with a fire-cracking start on Saturday.
The amazing adult cast totals just 25, who obviously do panto for the love of it. There are also 20 juniors from Aberdeen Academy of Dance, along with some brilliant music from the five-piece band – and no backing tracks.
They had hundreds of people laughing, singing and joining in, just as great panto should be, with a few surprises along the way.
I don’t want to let the cat out of the bag, but the ship scene – on HMS Crusty Cod – with the giant octopus and people diving overboard, is a stroke of genius, not to mention the giant glow-in-the-dark tropical fish swimming high in the air (the director drove all the way to Hull and back to collect them in a 17-hour round trip), so prepare to be blown away, all without any CGI, too.
My five and seven-year-old guests were a bit unsure at the start whether the show would be too “babyish” for them, but they were hooked all the way through, thanks to the likes of Fairy Liquid, King Rat, a scary gorilla and Diva of the Deep.
Take a bow, director Lynsey Cradock, musical director Craig McDermott, choreographer Sarah MacNay, producer Lewis Cradock and stage manager Alan Webster, for this was an amazing start to Christmas.
The show runs until Saturday, December 19. Tickets are available from Aberdeen Box Office on 01224 641122.