Dick Whittington
The Oxford Playhouse know their young audiences. They encourage you into the theatre in plenty of time, and the entertainment starts early with MC Hammer blasting out, the ensemble performing dance moves on stage, snow falling and bubbles blowing into the auditorium. It’s infectious, and spreads joy and delight right from the start. It’s actually amazing how simple pleasures like fake snow, a glitter ball and bubbles can do this!
Director and writer Toby Hulse has produced another gem. Dick Whittington has all the magical elements for a traditional pantomime, with a 90’s Britpop twist.
The 90s music and theme is nostalgic for all the grownups, and is very clever. Dick Whittington is actually a girl called Dot who runs a stall at Oxenford’s Gloucester Green Market.
Baddie King Rat is Liam Rattagher and is brilliantly played by Robin Hemmings complete with shades, parka, bucket hat and the Mancunian swagger and twang. Hemmings absolutely nails the character, and his characterisation doesn’t slip one moment throughout. Queue lots of mentions of brother Noel, and a certain reunion!
But the Battle of Britpop wouldn’t be complete without Blur…and his comic sidekick Damian Allbran is played by Daniel Forrester, who comically plays the useless Lord Mayor of London, who is in on Liam’s evil plan to take over the city, and the world, with his bands of dastardly rats.
Dot or Dick, is played by the very talented Daisy Ann Fletcher. Hers is one of the strongest singing voices, and she has great comic timing, and makes a totally engaging heroine.
The entire cast have plenty of energy. Particular praise goes to Robin Hemmings and Daisy Ann Fletcher. But I also loved comedian Lucy Frederick as the dame Sarah Fitzpatrick and Elliot Wooster as Fairy Bowbells, both of whom play for laughs throughout. All four were in last year’s Panto, and it’s great to welcome them back.
There are some lovely set pieces including a very clever The Voice/Britain’s Got Talent/X Factor scene where Liam and Damian put together a beige boyband to aid them in their world domination, with Fairy Bowbells joining the judging panel as a certain high waisted Judge! There is also a lovely nod to East 17, and giant mobile phones, together with the enlisting of the audience, and an audience member in the action.
It was also refreshing to see the small but talented band in the front of the stage, visible but never blocking the action onstage. But also very much part of the action, complete with Eastenders doof-doofs.
There are some lovely local gags – including the recently introduced congestion charges and the much less recent Botley Road closure! All combined with plenty of slap stick comedy, making this a panto for everyone of all ages.
But pleasingly, the modern, and the local, is never at the expense of the magic. Looking around, as I always do when I review a panto or children’s show, I watch and listen to the children, especially on the way out. These shows are after all meant for them, even if we adults also enjoy them. And Dick Whittington was definitely attracting rave reviews and smiles aplenty!
But grownups definitely need not worry. This is very much a show that you will love too! It is slick, clever, and the musical treats just keep coming, as do the laughs.
Can I also add that the Oxford Playhouse are again running their Magic Tickets campaign, to give away over 1,800 tickets to school children and community groups allowing them to access the magic of theatre that they would otherwise not had the opportunity to experience. The night I was in, they had at least two local charities in with young carers and adults and young people with learning disabilities, and brownies and school parties. It is a fantastic initiative so please support with donations if you can.
This show was reviewed on the 28th November at the Oxford Playhouse where it runs until the 4th January 2026. Tickets available here : Panto 2025: Dick Whittington | Oxford Playhouse
Review written by Ruth Hawkins
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Photo credit: Craig Fuller
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