Dick Whittington

Published Thursday 13 December 2007 at 11:30 by Natalie Anglesey

This year’s production, directed by Paul Mills, sees less big musical numbers performed by local dancing schools - which only delayed the action - and more audience participation, which delighted the children.

A leather-clad Darren Day almost steals the show as King Rat while Stephanie Dooley, as a delightful Fairy Bowbells, shows him the error of his wicked ways.

They lead a cast which includes Frazer Hines, as Alderman Fitzwarren, with Jamie Greer and Nick Newbold keeping the comic momentum going as Sarah the Cook and Idle Jack.

Liverpool comedian John Bishop looked uncomfortable throughout as a drunken Captain Cuttle.

A great deal of money has been spent on this production, but there was no sign of an orchestra and no mention of one in the programme so the presumption is that all the music and backing chorus were recorded. This meant that Chesney Hawkes, in the title role, performed The One and Only, singing along to his own record and appearing to mime playing the guitar.

This is the best pantomime to be produced by Pele Productions at The Lowry so far, but the backstage crew really do need more rehearsal.