TURN again Whittington, they said.  He did and we all know what happened when Dick Whittington and his cat returned to rid London of a plague of rats that were eating everything.

“Dick Whittington” is the pantomime being staged at Tedburn St Mary at the end of this month - Sunday, January 22 with a 2.30pm matinee, then Thursday, Friday and Saturday, January 26, 27 and 28 at 7.30pm with a 2.30pm matinee on the 28th.

The show brings a number of well-known faces as well as many new people including children.  It is written by Ben Crocker, author of a number of shows, who lives in the Westcountry and whose pantos Tedburn Amateur Dramatic Society (TADS) have used before.  

Listen for a lot of quick jokes and some pretty good patter especially from Hugh Vincent, father of Dick’s love, Alice played by Sarah Drake, new to TADS. 

Director is Charles Pallot, Linda Bellshaw is the Producer.   Both have worked together on other shows at Tedburn and Linda played the Cat in one of the previous TADs “Dick”

Annie North takes the part of Dick who falls for Alice who Idle Jack (Georgia Radford-Lewis) also loves, so there are some sneaky goings on there for a while.  

Rather good (boo, hiss) as King Rat is Lynne Nardell who has been on the Tedburn stage before.   May Durrant has come out of the chorus to play Fairy Bowbells.

There is plenty of chance for the audience to offer advice or vent their feelings, especially at King Rat. Other rats who steal the cheese, flour and sausages are fun, too.  Their thievery is making the people poor and must be stopped.

Charles said TADS chose this show because it is some time since they last did it in 2003 and 1992, and it is a good story.

He added that it is a good, fast-paced story. “We have had a two-year break because of covid and it means we have been lucky in that we have a lot of new faces and returning stars.”

Linda added that they have been lucky in having more volunteers helping with catering and without all those background people the show would not be possible. 

Kept very busy with this show was wardrobe mistress Cynthia Sibley who is also on stage.  The scenery is good, too. 

Ben Crocker studied Drama at Exeter University, has worked in the theatre since 1989 and was Artistic Director at the Northcott Theatre, Exeter between 1998 and 2008.  He began writing panto towards the end of that time and has made a name for his very funny, fast moving and true to the story scripts. 

There are refreshments available during all performances and a bar during the evening performances.  

Tickets for “Dick Whittington” are £9 for adults, £5 for children and there is a group discount for parties of 10 or more.  For tickets please contact the Box Office on: [email protected] or telephone 07917 794589.