Dick Whittington roars into the Lighthouse Poole – Pantomime Review
We are big fans of pantomimes and visiting the theatre is always one of the highlights of this time of year..
We were invited along to Lighthouse Poole to go and see their latest Christmas offering – Dick Whittington and were not disappointed.
Produced by Peter Duncan and Duncan Reeves from Duncan Reeves Productions, who are at Lighthouse Poole for the third year after the success of Aladdin and Cinderella, they are joined by CBeebies star Chris Jarvis as director, co-writer and star of the show!!
This rags to riches tail starts with a bang as Fairy Bow Bells (Charlotte Knowles) arrives on the stage with a bang to introduce us to the story and the characters as they made the journey from Poole to Olde London Town and then across the sea seeking fame and fortune.
We instantly fell for the mischievous, acrobatic cat called Tommy (Sammy Phillips) who did its best to rid the streets of rats, but it was King Rat, played by Craig Rhys Barlow, who we all loved to hate every time he came on stage to plenty of “boo’s and jeers”.
We have seen Chris Jarvis in Pantomime before and he is certainly at brilliant best this year. There were plenty of local and topical jokes and a little bit of cheeky innuendo to keep the adults chuckling along, whilst the kids were caught up with all the antics going on, on stage.
The pantomime dame – Dame Dolly Donuts provides the slapstick element of the show and is expertly played by Dereck Walker, whilst Richard Gibson (Herr Flick from ‘Allo ‘Allo), is back again as the slightly dopey but loveable father, Alderman Fitzwarren, of Alice (Katie Arundell), Dick’s love interest.
Like any good pantomime, the show is packed full of music and dance and all the songs were classic hits that everyone could sing along with. There was even some flossing for the older kids and an underwater puppet show which rolled into a brilliant rendition of ‘Baby Shark’, which had the whole audience joining in with. Well – if X-Factor can do it……….
The sets were colourful and fun, with lots of changes to keep you interested and the show is perfectly timed at an hour for each half, with a 20 minute interval in between.
Just like their previous productions, they got the pantomime just right. It is a traditional offering which doesn’t rely too heavily on modern technology and bounces along at the perfect speed – we loved it!!
Beware, you may burst into their brilliant, but slightly cheeky rendition of the 12 days of Christmas after seeing the show……it’s currently the favourite song in our house now!
Dick Whittington is running at Lighthouse Poole until 31st December and costs from £23.25 for adults and £16.50 for under 16’s. Find out show times and ticket prices here: www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/whats-on/2018/dick-whittington/
Alex Gladwin
Ahh, this sounds like such a lovely festive show! We’re off to the pantomime on Saturday and I’m very excited. 😀
Stacie
That sounds like such a great show! My kids are older, but I would still take them to this. Shows like this are always fun for all ages.
Danielle Wolter
This sounds like such a fun time! What a great thing to do together as a family 🙂
Lucy Dorrington
I’ve never seen Dick Whittington! It sounds like a great show, we’ve got Cinderella this year.
Hayley | Devon Mama
This has reminded me just how much I loved pantomimes when I was younger!! Can’t wait until my little ones are old enough!
Laura Dove
Oh I do love a good pantomime. Dick Whittington is one of my favourites!
Hayley Jones
This took me right back to watching pantomimes when we were younger, I can’t wait until our little ones are a year or two older and will enjoy it. It’s part of Christmas!
Elizabeth Weitz
Oh wow! This looks like an incredible night out! I’ve never been to a pantomime and realize I need to change that ASAP!
The Tale of Mummyhood
What a fabulous festive treat! We have a Panto booked for the first time this year, I’m so excited to see how the girls get on!
Brianna
This show looks like so much fun! I have a friend who is very into plays and broadway shows. I’ll have to suggest this to her.
Laura - Dear Bear and Beany
I love the panto and this looks a fab show! They look very happy watching it x
Yeah Lifestyle
We as a family love pantos, so this sounds like an amazing show. Their costumes and set look fantastic too, glad you all had a fab time
Chad
oh this seems like a very interesting show, would love to go see it with my kids! Thanks a lot for the recos.
Chad
http://www.mosaicslab.com
Rebecca Smith
We love a pantomime – this looks like such a fun show for the whole family.
Elaine
I’ve never been to a pantomime before. It looks like it would be fun, this one especially!
Bella and Dawn at Dear Mummy Blog
We love visiting our local theatre for the panto! This one sound fab and great fun for the family. The costumes and set design look magical!
Alexandra
Aww this sounds like such fun! Wish I lived in the area so I could go and visit 🙂
Romy Schorr
I would like to see a production like this. It looks so entertaining and exciting!
Nikki
This production looks so fun well put together and entertaining. It looks like the kids had a grand time
Megan
Oh what fun this is! I can’t wait till my littles are old enough to sit through something cool like this!!!
Christina
Love the set! Local theatres like this is such a fun thing to go for.
Anosa
I am hoping to squeeze in a pantomime this year, this one looks and sounds absolutely jolly
Elizabeth
I can’t believe I’ve never been to a pantomime before. I really need to remedy this, as this looks like a fabulous show!
Angela
I feel from their faces that it has been a great day! They enjoyed a lot right?
fashionandstylepolice
My kids are watching this show next week. I bet it would be so much fun.
Sara
This looks like so much fun; love the costumes!
Jenny
My husband refuses to go to the Pantomime with us as he us such a grinch, I think this looks fab.
Jess Howliston
This looks like a fab show for the whole family! I have such fond memories of going to the panto as a child with my grandparents. I can’t wait to take my children once my toddler is old enough to sit through it lol!
Mom Life Optimized
This would totally be a show my family would love to see!! We just went to the Nutcracker and they loved that.
Jasmine Hewitt
we havent been to a panto yet this year. looks like this was a good one!
Debbie
Aww it looks like they had a great time. We missed our pantomime as we couldn’t find parking and didn’t want to go in when it had started 🙁
Preet
This show is something that my kids would really love. I would love to watch this and I am so excited.
Victoria
I do love a panto and have taken part in a fair few myself over the years. I think I am going to try and take my daughter to one close this year x
Lorna @ Gin & Lemonade
Looks more fun than our local one. And I love Eliza’s sparkly skirt!
Kara
H&M……..was a bit of a good find!
Chelsea Leigh
THIS LOOKS MAGICAL!! I’d love to take the fam to see something like this!
Madeeha
This sounds like an interesting show to watch. My baby is very tiny but I still can enjoy it.
Laura Schwormstedt
This Panto sounds like so much fun and a great family day out for all ages!! Gotta take my kids to something like this
Laura x
Sarah | Boo Roo and Tigger Too
Panto is part of Christmas, I’m gutted that I forgot to book tickets for our local one
natalie
Oh this sounds like lots of fun – I have such fond memories of going the pantomine every Christmas with my Auntie, I can’t wait to take my little ones.
Courtney
Omg looks like one fantastic show!!! I bet the whole family would love it!!!
Louise
We love going to see a panto at this time of year. I’ve never seen Dick Whittington, though! The one in Poole sounds absolutely fantastic. I wish we lived closer so we could go and see it 🙂
Louise x