It’s officially panto season—“Oh yes it is!”—and the Belgrade Theatre has pulled out all the stops, with bells, whistles, and a generous helping of whipped cream to delight Coventry audiences. This year, Dick Whittington takes centre stage, bringing with him his trusty feline sidekick, Tommy. As Dick ventures to London to seek fame and fortune, he crosses paths with the lovely Alice (Gabriela Harris) and her father, Alderman Fitzwarren (Declan Wilson), who are struggling with a rather large (approximately 5'9) rat problem. Can King Rat conquer the world, or will Dick and his motley crew save the day?
Produced in association with Imagine Theatre Ltd, the Belgrade Theatre has delivered the quintessential pantomime experience. Iain Lauchlan, the driving force behind Belgrade’s pantos for 30 years, once again proves why he’s mastered the craft as both writer, director and Dame. This 2.5ish-hour spectacle packs in everything you’d expect from a classic panto: big ensemble numbers, elaborate sets, and generous helpings of audience participation, led with charm and energy by Craig Hollingsworth as Idle Jack, now in his 13th consecutive year at the Belgrade. A standout moment was audience member Dean, being roped into playing “Rat Man,” who absolutely stole the show. It was one of the boldest and funniest examples of audience involvement I’ve ever seen in a panto.
The production felt wonderfully nostalgic, harking back to the golden days of pantomime. In recent years, many pantos have leaned heavily on 3D projections and flashy special effects, but this show focuses on timeless charm. Ian Westbrook’s stunning set designs evoked the intricate illustrations of classic fairy tales, with the ship in Act 2 being a particular highlight. James Maciver’s vibrant costumes perfectly complemented the festive energy, with a clever modern twist for the rat ensemble, dressed in baseball caps and hoodies, giving them a cheeky street-style edge.
Lois Brook made her pantomime debut as Dick Whittington, and she was everything a panto hero should be: charismatic, confident, and with a lovely singing voice to match. Belgrade panto veteran Andy Hockley brought an imposing physicality to King Rat, eliciting squeals of delight (and fear) from the children around me. Aonghas Ewen as the camp, musical-theatre-loving rat sidekick was a joy to watch, while Sam Woods’ Tommy the Cat frequently stole scenes with impeccable comedic timing. The only critique is that the story’s resolution felt slightly rushed, leaving the ending a bit less satisfying than the rest of the production.
If you’re looking for a classic pantomime that will transport you back to the magic of childhood, while delighting the entire family, Belgrade Theatre’s Dick Whittington is the perfect festive treat this Christmas.
Dick Whittington runs at the Belgrade Theatre until 4th January 2025. Tickets and more information are available here.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4*)
Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | photography by Nicola Young
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