Pantomime magic has come to Artrix, Bromsgrove, in the shape of Dick Whittington and his faithful cat! 

This production has all the best features of traditional panto (catchy tunes, spectacular costumes, corny jokes, pacy dance routines and lashings of audience involvement), resulting in an evening of super-jollity for fans of all ages.

The plot is familiar and all the classic pantomime characters are there. Seeking to make his fortune, Dick (Rebecca Dyer) has come to London, where he finds work in the household of Alderman Fitzwarren (Pete Picton). This being panto, Dick (naturally) falls in love with the Alderman’s beautiful daughter, Alice (Michelle Roberts), and is quickly adopted into the household, where Idle Jack (Kilian Perpetuini) and his panto-dame mother, Sarah the Cook (William Hastings), run the Alderman’s shop in glorious chaos.

Jeopardy follows, as Dick is framed for the theft of the Alderman’s riches - but with a sprinkling of enchanted sparkles, Fairy Bowbells (Tasha Shanade) guides him and Tommy the Cat (Gabrielle Toddington) on their quest to defeat the evil King Rat (Oliver Broad).

Idle Jack and Sarah steal the show. Clowning around as they stack boxes of fish in the shop or make a birthday cake for Alice (no surprise that a combination of flour and raw eggs makes this a messy process!), this double-act are utterly engaging with their madcap antics (and just enough innocently innuendo-laden references to entertain the older members of the audience). To describe their tomfoolery in detail might be to spoil the surprise for those who have yet to see the show; suffice it to say that the children (both young and young-at-heart) in attendance on Saturday were thrilled, and responded in kind. Audience participation was taken to another level! A special mention must surely go to Sarah the Cook’s outrageous costumes, atrociously over-the-top as befits a true pantomime dame.

Oliver Broad also deserves a special mention, for a captivating performance as King Rat that brings real menace and a touch of darkness to the show. Commanding his army of rodents as they threaten the happiness of the good citizens of Old London Town, he prowls around the stage, the evil element essential to the plot. But, of course, the wickedness is only temporary, and in best panto tradition, everybody lives happily ever after.

This delightful production of Dick Whittington is family entertainment in its truest form. Joyful, uplifting and heart-warming, it cannot fail to entertain; without doubt the perfect show for the festive season!

Five stars

Reviewed by Rachel Smith on Saturday 7 December at Artrix, Bromsgrove. Dick Whittington continues to show at the venue until Sunday 29 December