REVIEW: Dick Whittington, Cockermouth Amateur Dramatics Society, Kirkgate Centre, Cockermouth

WHETHER singing, dancing, performing back flips or acting, all the amateur dramatics crew looked they were having a ball during their latest production, Dick Whittington. 

But they weren’t the only ones. I have never seen such an engaged and enthusiastic panto audience. 

Before Dick and his cat Tommy had even made it through the auditorium and on to the stage at the beginning of the show, the audience was joining in. 

And it barely stopped: they were booing, whooping, awwwing, singing or just plain old laughing pretty much all night long. 

In fact I have to commend Dick (Amy Clark) and Alice (Bethan Haney) for keeping a straight face as they sang a love story next to Tommy (Leo Morgan) performing his ablutions to much hilarity. 

There were masses of talented youngsters involved in the family show, from the sweetest little dancing rats to many of the main characters. They were all professional and impressive, acting, singing, dancing the night away. 

Amy and Leo were a top team as they worked their way round the world trying to make their fortune and outwit King Rat.

Leo only ever had one line (miaow), repeated at regular intervals, which he used to great effect. 

Owen Evans did a great, nasty King Rat, with a nod to Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean. And Lewis Hill introduced a bit of much-needed order to proceedings as Alderman Fitzwarren.

His housekeeper, cook and lady friend, Sarah Stewpot (Geoff Lawley) brought masses of colour to the classic family panto.

She sashayed on and off stage in lots of exotic ensembles and was fantastic when it came to controlling the crowd – in between winding them up! 

Together with Idle Jack (Jacqui Walker) they came up with a never-ending run of rubbish jokes, which everyone loved. 

A double act which had everyone laughing – including themselves when it all got to too much – was Captain Slog (Sue Marshall) and Bosun (Sue Fletcher).

The audience loved them as they stomped around the stage creating all sorts of chaos. 

The whole show was a brilliant community affair. There were masses of local references, which brought a great response from the Saturday night crowd. 

There was live music, great sets, costumes and effects.

Director Tony Magorrian should take a well-deserved bow. 

The show will be on at the Kirkgate Centre on Friday at 7.30pm and Saturday at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Tickets are available at the centre or from Billy Bowman Music in Lowther Went.

TRACY WALKER