Where do you find a cat called Ploppy? In Pantoland, of course! Christmas is coming as panto is back, and the Key Theatre’s offering this year is Dick Whittington. 

The tale of Dick Whittington sees Dick on a grand adventure in London town, where he meets plenty of colourful characters along the way, with the dastardly Queen Rat out to foil his plans!

The show manages to bring the story of Dick Whittington to life well enough; it is easy to follow and very engaging for the children in the audience. The set is bright and colourful and everything that you would expect from a pantomime set. There are some ambitious moments with a very big monster but it is effective and well executed. 

The stand out performer is Abigail Matthews who plays Alice Fitzbottom. Her facial expressions are wonderful and she makes you feel everything that her character is feeling, is clear and professional in her delivery and has a beautiful singing voice. 

David Griffin-Stephens is a writing, directing and Dame extraordinaire! He has written a funny, albeit slightly laboured, script at times. His directorial skills are wonderful, with everyone getting their chance to shine, and the blocking isn’t repetitive when it comes to entrances and exits which is refreshing. 

His display as the Dame isn’t scene stealing, which you often come to expect from a Dame, but there are dazzling costumes and funny innuendos which make him no less charming. 

Simon Aylin who plays Dick gives a performance that might be better suited to the ‘Silly Billy’ or ‘Buttons’ role which, again, was missing from this piece. His performance is full of gusto, his lines delivered loud and clear and he uses the whole of the stage with great comic timing. He was just missing the naivety of Dick and hammed it up perhaps a little too much...if that’s possible in panto!

What was perhaps missing in the piece was the absence of any well known songs, which therefore meant it was missing the sing-a-long factor and cheesiness of a standard panto.

Dick Whittington is a fun-filled night out, especially for those little ones! 

*** Three stars

Reviewed by: Emma Rooney

Dick Whittington plays at the Key Theatre until 8 January, with tickets available here.