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Glamour On The Tyne
Dick
Whittington
Newcastle
Theatre Royal
Until
Sunday 17th January 2016
Danny
Adams and Clive Webb are making their triumphant return to Newcastle’s Theatre Royal for
their 11th pantomime. The show has all of the glamour, the tricks
and the tomfoolery that we have come to expect. The show never loses sight of
the fact that it is there to entertain the audience whether they are 1 or 101.
No wonder large numbers return year after year. After all The Geordies know a
good thing when they see one.
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Photo: Keith Pattison
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The
story of Dick Whittington usually involves Dick heading to London to seek his fortune but
the Michael Harrison penned hit reverses the action back up to Newcastle.
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Photo: Keith Pattison
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Steve
Arnott appears as the evil King Rat who has devastated most of the UK in his quest for world
domination. Cue the first opportunity to have some friendly digs at
neighbouring Sunderland. King Rat is heading to Newcastle but who can save us?
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Photo: Keith Pattison
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After
12 years in Emmerdale, as Val Pollard, Charlie Hardwick has returned to her
native North East. She appears as the very Geordie sounding Spirit Of The Tyne -
a fairy godmother character who looks after the region. The Spirit has summoned
Dick to come to Newcastle and help catch the rats.
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Photo: Keith Pattison
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Danny
Adams and Clive Webb are a safe pair of hands for this situation. As Dick
Whittington and Councillor Fitzfenwick they seize every opportunity to make the
packed Theatre Royal laugh. Fast one liners, fabulous tricks freely flow in a
comedy masterclass. Chuck some water around and share a trampoline with Phil
Seaman as Captain Birdseye – Danny makes it look so easy. The effort behind
this façade must be immense.
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Photo: Keith Pattison
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The
show features high production values and brilliant costumes and the most
amazing designs are reserved for Dame Rita. Chris Hayward needs no introduction
to the Theatre Royal panto regulars and Dame Rita’s first appearance is
immediately greeted with “Hiya Hinny!”
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Photo: Keith Pattison
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Completing
the cast includes Pete Peverley as Bobby the
Cat. After seeing Pete on this very stage as
The Bobby Thompson Story, it was not lost on us that this cat wore the Little
Waster’s jumper and used a number of his lines to great effect. Alice Stokoe is the love interest for Dick
and Michael Potts returns as the village idiot. They are supported by a canny
ensemble and the wonderful young students in Marron Theatre Arts.
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Photo: Keith Pattison
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The
show pulls a number of effects out of the bag. The extremely large puppets are
very convincing (and scary too!). The 3D effects are amongst the best that I
have witnessed. The show’s producers
must be commended as the effects are fabulous but it does not use them as an
excuse for lowering the intensity of other aspects of the show.
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Photo: Keith Pattison
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The
pantomime is a magnificent return for the Theatre Royal’s favourite comedy
duo. Danny Adams is a real gem. Clive Webb,
the perfect comedy partner.
Dick
Whittington is a grand production, both entertaining and glamorous. This panto
is the cat’s whiskers!
This
review was written by Stephen Oliver for the North East
Theatre Guide from Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com).
Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo
on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo
Read
the original North East Theatre Guide preview: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/preview-dick-whittington-at-newcastle.html
Tickets:
Dick Whittington appears
at Newcastle Theatre Royal until Sunday 17th January 2016.
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Photo: Keith Pattison
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Tickets
are available from £12.50, (save 50p per ticket by booking online). Tickets can
be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (all calls are charged at 7p a minute plus
your phone company’s access charge, calls from mobiles may vary, please contact
your operator for details) or select your own seat and book online
at www.theatreroyal.co.uk
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