Director: Joyce Branagh
Reviewer: Kevin O'Brien
Watford’s choice of pantomime this year is Dick Whittington and His Cat. The magic of this performance is hinted at even before you take your seat - even the programme is a triumph. As well as the usual pen-pics and photos of the cast, there are lots of puzzles, games and quizzes for the young and young at heart, which of course is what pantomime is all about. And from the moment the curtain goes up, Joyce Branagh’s production keeps this golden rule of panto at heart all through the evening.
Cleverly, the action takes place in 1908 - just as the Palace celebrates its’ centenary year. Dick and the Cat meet outside the newly-opened theatre (under its original name of the Palace Of Varieties) in a quite inspired opening. When Dick and the Cat travel to London to find fame and fortune, Dick also falls in love with Alice (Sia Kawa) who has taken them in as lodgers. When Dick departs to go back to Watford, Alice is distraught, the more so as her ambition of becoming a sailor has been thwarted by her hard-hearted father. Cue some really twisty but brilliantly engineered and narrated script and plot.
The use of music hall songs is a delight, mixed with some bang-up-to-date pop songs. So, from the Lambeth Walk to She’s So Lovely, the show covers ground on musical, comedic and all pantomime levels. Somehow Branagh balances the anarchy and silliness with a tight, hyper-professional show which whizzes past you.
The Palace has steadfastly avoided ‘big’ names in the past, and it’s really made for a much more rounded pantomime experience. Patrons might recognise Howard Coggins (Sarah the Cook) from TV adverts. He may well be on the way to making himself a bigger name on this evidence - his performance is fantastic, including hilarious and accurate impersonations. Regular Palace visitors may remember Dale Superville (Tommy the Cat) from the recent Watford production of Alan Ayckbourn’s Absent Friends. Superville really masters what is surely the most difficult role here. The cat costume is possibly the icing on the cake of what is a fabulous set and costume collection. As the evening unwinds, there was no loss of interest from the audience. Disbelief is easily suspended when the standards are this high. Make this show part of your Christmas - you won’t regret it!
Photos: Manual Harlan
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