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Sorry Sadiq, there’s a new mayor in town. This year’s Wimbledon panto - one of the flashier London offerings - is 'Dick Whittington'. Although largely plotless (Dick comes to London, then sails to Morocco, then kills some rats and is made London mayor…WHAT??) it hardly matters since the show brims with songs, jokes and beat-perfect choreography.
As usual, it’s a showy affair. It even comes with a pre-show trailer projected onto the curtain. First Family Entertainment, who produce Wimbledon’s panto as well as several others across the country, expound the glory of ‘traditional’ pantomime. Sometimes this means old-fashioned (including a roster of '80s and '90s hits sung by the cast), occasionally this means regressive (excluding Dick’s Cat, there’s only one lead female performer) but for the most part it’s a very polished, very entertaining show, glistening with a slick sheen that elevates it above so many other festive offerings.
The headline celeb is choreographer and erstwhile 'Strictly…' judge Arlene Philips as Fairy Bowbelle. She may be responsible for choreographing some of the country’s biggest musicals, but her performance here is an unequivocal statement that she should remain behind the scenes. There’s so much fear in her eyes as she begins each couplet that it’s touch and go whether she’ll remember the next line, and she waves her arms in a constant fidget like she’s directing traffic.
Still, she’s the only disappointment in an otherwise excellent show. It’s big, bright, loud and often very funny - mainly thanks to the projectile emesis of gags from Tim Vine as roguish sidekick Idle Jack. He’s such a natural stage presence, expertly luring the audience on side, and his one-liners perfectly suit the silly panto tone. Matthew Kelly makes a great dame, while Sam Hallion’s Dick is a sweet and wholesome thing, full of boyish charm. A proper family show.