There's nothing like a dame (From Salisbury Journal)

There's nothing like a dame

11:23am Thursday 27th November 2008

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OH yes it is, it’s panto time again. Traditional pantomime is the perfect antidote to the current economic gloom and doom and there are no shortage of professional productions to choose from at a theatre near you.

Salisbury Playhouse prides itself on producing a celebrity-free traditional panto and this year is performing Mark Clements’ Dick Whittington and his Cat, full of sparkling songs, elaborate costumes and inventive design.

Based on the familiar tale of the penniless boy who sets out to seek fame and fortune in London, only to find that the streets there are not paved with gold, but with cheating opportunists.

Director Hannah Chissick makes a welcome return to the Playhouse. She has a long association with the theatre as her grandfather was former theatre manager Reginald (Reggie) Salberg. The Playhouse’s studio space is named after him.

Dick Whittington and his Cat is also the favoured panto at Poole’s Lighthouse Centre for the Arts and stars Jack Ryder as Dick, Adele Silva as Alice Fitzwarren and Ed “Stewpot” Stewart as Alderman Fitzwarren.

Widow Twankey’s laundry comes alive at Southampton’s Nuffield Theatre when young Aladdin finds an old rusty lamp. But nasty Uncle Abanazar is an out and out baddie in this fun filled show for all the family.

Christopher Biggins joins other big names in the musical pantomime, Cinderella, at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre. Biggins takes on the role of Buttons with Matthew Kelly playing one of the Ugly Sisters and Stefanie Powers as the Fairy Godmother.

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