ACT Reviews 2022-2023 Season

DICK WHITTINGTON Directed by: Andy Kelly Choreographed by: Georgia Taylor and Emma Bradburn Musical Director - Chris Addington Whitworth Amateur Musical Dramatic Society Whitworth Amateurs have kicked off their special 60th anniversary year with a belter! After being postponed for 12 months due to Covid amongst the cast, I was excited to see this long-awaited performance. With pantomime being so heavily reliant on audience engagement and participation, I was dubious at first as to what the atmosphere would be like in such a small venue, but I was not disappointed in the slightest. If anything, the size of the venue helped to foster the fun, light-hearted and spirited atmosphere every pantomime cast and crew hopes for. Throughout the entire show, the audience was captivated by what was happening on stage and there was regular singing and dancing along, accompanied by the typical booing, ‘Oh, no you didn’t’ and ‘Oh, yes you did’ one would expect from a pantomime. The well-rehearsed choreography throughout the whole show was energetic and varied numbers were slick and each dance had its own bit of pizazz! Each head turn in ‘Permission to Dance’ was on point. I think my favourite dance number was, ‘You Make My Dreams Come True’, as the choreography was fun and light-hearted, and made excellent use of the beats. It also helped that it was energetically and enthusiastically executed by Annabelle Taylor and Ben Maguire! Ben Maguire, as Dick Whittington, was in good form. He commanded the audience’s attention from the beginning appearing on the stage with a ‘Hello, everyone!’ and when he wasn’t responded to with the energy he wanted, he worked the audience ‘Come on everyone you can do better than that! I’ve been waiting for twelve months to do this! Hello everyone!’ and the audience responded with laughter, this set the audience the level involvemnt. He continued to impress with his boyish charm and timed comedy. All his songs were well sung, particularly in ‘Going Gets Tough’ and the stage chemistry between him and Annabelle Taylor (who played Caroline Fitzwarren) was

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