Dick Whittington and his Catford Cat review
Entertaining reframing of the classic story loses none of its magic along the way
Earlier this year, writer and director Susie McKenna announced that she was creating a new version of Dick Whittington inspired by the Windrush generation, honouring the parents of her wife, Sharon D Clarke. The result is this panto: a warm, witty fusion of history and folklore, directed by Peter Rowe.
In McKenna’s thoughtful adaptation, Dick (Durone Stokes) arrives in London fresh off the Empire Windrush in search of fame and fortune. Having made friends with the ship’s cat, Fairy Bowbells (Lisa Davina Phillips) transforms the sleepy mouser into Uncle Vincent (Wayne Rollins) – a cool cat with attitude. It’s not long before Dick finds work with shopkeeper Alderman Fitzwarren (Ben Fox), but he falls foul of the evil Queen Rat (Natasha Lewis). Framed for theft, he plans to leave the city – but destiny and Alderman Fitzwarren’s daughter Alice (Fergie Fraser) have other plans.
McKenna’s story swaps the historical medieval setting for post-war London yet remains full of familiar pantomime traditions. Like so many productions around the UK, there’s a smattering of political gags, but they hardly undermine the custard-pie fights, fart gags or slapstick. Like any writer worth their salt, McKenna knows how to entertain and inform with an even hand. Likewise, Rowe’s assured direction handles the knockabout comedy with great care, but there is a small, poignant scene that hints at the racism faced by immigrants at the time. It’s a sensitive moment in a show that overwhelmingly advocates for friendship, love and equality.
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As Sarah the Cook, Justin Brett is deliciously old-school, establishing an easy rapport with the audience. Brett is also particularly quick-thinking, structuring a whole musical number around Sarah’s romantic victim from the audience. Brett has a perfect partner in Fox as the fickle Fitzwarren, who doubles-down on the vaudeville with some smart physical comedy – think Clive Dunn and John Inman and you will have the flavour of this double act.
Yet, for all these vintage trappings, nothing really feels dated. This is in part due to the diverse songbook, which veers confidently from modern anthems such as Rewrite The Stars to Bob Marley’s One Love. But mostly, it’s down to the energy of the cast. Lewis is a hilariously crazed Queen Rat, whipping up the kids into a frenzy, although she is more than matched by Phillips’ sassy Fairy Bowbells.
However, it’s Stokes who gives this show its heart. From an impressive opening on the bow of the Windrush singing The Impossible Dream, Stokes has the audience onside. It’s an inexorably charming performance matching soaring vocal, summed up, perhaps, at the end of the first act, with Labi Siffre’s (Something Inside) So Strong, laced with a sense of dignity and resilience.
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