Dick Whittington – Richmond Theatre, London

Writer: Alan McHugh

Director: Jonathan O’Boyle

There’s Immediate booing from an excitable crowd made up of mainly young children (off to a good start) as the show opens with Vivien Parry as the evil Queen Rat making an entrance. She’s instantly recognisable as the villain, in a sumptuous crowned costume of bejewelled gold, festooned with intricate gold lace and sparkle and her vicious whip of a tail.

The audience at the Richmond Theatre had already been treated to Xmas cheer with a choir singing carols outside on the festively lit street with a large Christmas tree. You don’t get more festive than well-heeled Richmond for their annual panto, this year Dick Whittington.

Have I Got News For You’s Paul Merton is the panto dame playing Sarah the cook, who never cooks anything, just shoots out quips and double entendres, which give plenty of amusement for the adults. You couldn’t get a more perfect dame. Merton’s deadpan humour and ability to make quick ad hoc absurd comments when something goes wrong is a winner. He knows how camp he looks in these characterful dresses and plays the part to perfection.

Playing opposite him as her namesake Suki, the sweet maker, is his wife Suki Webster who keeps the whole play moving along with the audience yelling ‘hello Suki’ every time she appears on stage. Cue some hilarious in-jokes about their relationship and Ian Hislop. Also keeping the play moving is Wendy Mae Brown as the narrator, The Spirit of Bow Bells, wearing a silver sequined number and crown that are no match for Queen Rat’s costume.

Dick Whittington is played by Jack Danson who has previously appeared as Sky in the West End’s Mamma Mia and his love interest Alice is played by Erin Sophie Halliday who unbelievably is still in her second year of training at Laine Theatre Arts. She does not just have a beautiful voice but also amazing power and range meaning she is one to watch in musical theatre. Accompanying them is Charlie Smart as their Cat. He’s a pleasure to watch as he and the ensemble dancers entertain with athletic dance and acrobatics.

The costumes require a special mention. Merton has no less than six changes. Crossroads Pantomimes has worked hard and really gone to town. In fact, so has the writer, Alan McHugh as this panto has everything you could want; camp humour and costumes, jokes for the adults, boos, hisses, ‘behind you’s, naughty asides, slapstick, audience participation, great musical numbers and a well-chosen famous theatrical dame.

OK, it may be slightly formulaic but at a time when others are trying to reinvent the genre this production clearly asks the question, why? When a production is as well written and performed as this one is, it is simply one of the joys of Christmas. Perfect Panto.

Runs until 7 January 2024