Dick Whittington by the Silchester Players (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Dick Whittington by the Silchester Players

11:35am Thursday 5th February 2009 in

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CHRISTMAS was over a month ago but the panto at Silchester makes sure the spirit of Christmas endures.

Dick Whittington is about a boy from nowhere (played by Ellie Cullen) who teams up with a cat to seek his fortune in London, marries Alderman Fitzwarren’s daughter Alice and becomes Lord Mayor of London.

Sounds simple, but the Silchester Players provided lots of twists and turns and magic moments along the journey.

First of all there was a magnificent set - and spectacular bells - designed by Kevin Belcher.

Then there were larger than life characters.

Kevin Belcher, who introduced the panto, was superbly evil as King Rat.

Accompanying Dick on the journey was an outstanding performance by Stacey Warner as Tommy the Cat - a cat with attitude - who brought star personality and warmth to the role with her expressive face and movement.

The panto dame, Sarah Suet, was performed with the unmistakable style of SP regular and veteran, John Coffin, who had a series of daft costumes, each one more outrageous than the last.

John belly dancing to Duffy’s Mercy will stay with me for a long time!

A great deal of humour was delivered in expert fashion by Alan Moorhouse as the Sultan of Morocco.

Probably one of the toughest roles is that of the audience’s friend, but Alec Burrell, as hapless Idle Jack, was full of enthusiasm and confidence and rose to the challenge.

Roy Glancey and Brian Gillett made me laugh a lot as Captain Cockell and Mr Mussel, and Jodie Marsh as Alice (Dick’s love interest) was a delight.

Sarah Oliver as Fairy Twinkle sparkled as she linked the scenes and it was great to see the younger members of the group treading the boards as dancers, chorus and baby rats.

Silchester Players’ put an enormous effort into their productions and Beryl and Stephen Oliver produced and directed a show which was vibrant, colourful and full of fun.

-Chris Horton