Theatre / Reviews
Review: Dick Whittington, Bristol Hippodrome
Every great city deserves a great Panto – and in recent years Bristol has hosted some of the best. Barbara Windsor was unforgettable as Fairy Bowbells, David Hasslehoff equally memorable (in his own way) as Hook. These were big names to figurehead big productions – but Pudsey?
This year’s Dick Whittington is also a big, big show – more glitz, glamour, sparkle and fizz than you could shake a stick at – a great family entertainment. But it doesn’t have a big star unless you’re counting dogs.
is needed now More than ever
Instead we have a high quality ensemble cast and don’t be put off by what – at first sight – might look like a weakish line-up. Ashleigh Butler has a gauche charm as Alice Fitzwarren. She sings, dances and holds her own perfectly well (she might not be there without the dog but then she has got the dog).
Your heart might sink at the prospect of CBeebies’ Mr Bloom but you’d be doing Ben Faulks a disservice – he’s a perfectly good Dick in every way (come on, this is a Panto). Eric Potts – director and Sarah the Cook – has all the sausage and dumplings jokes any Dame could wish for and Andy Ford is as hilarious as ever. He’s always in the Bristol Panto and this year delivers lovely contemporary jokes like “Don`t rule out GM foods, the other day I had the best leg of salmon ever”.
Lara Denning is also a hugely alluring Queen Rat – can you have a foxy rat? Or am I mixing my anthropomorphisms? She certainly has the best costume of the production having apparently been dressed by Vivian Westwood in her best High Pirate.
But we have to talk about Pudsey. As the known star of Britain’s Got Talent when he first scampers out on the Hippodrome stage he gets a seriously appreciative cheer. Don’t expect too much – he does a couple of funny walks and a few twirls – but then he is a dog. People, however – particularly children – just love him.
Dick Whittington is at the Bristol Hippodrome until January 4th
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