Last night was our first dip into the annual pantomime run and as usual it was The Riverfront in Newport to kick things off with DICK WHITTINGTON.
Over the years I have seen many shows, I’ve even played in one or two myself, but the production they delivered at one of the city’s favourite venues, once again felt like a step back to the good old traditions of panto, and I mean that in the most positive way possible. In fact this is something the entire team pride themselves on, delivering a show that is family friendly in the truest sense of the word. And I can tell you they have done just that.
First of all, here’s some reaction from last night’s audience, along with the Mayor of Newport. We also spoke to some of the cast of the show after they came off stage……
Back again for another year of festivities is Newport favourite, RICHARD ELIS as The Cat (he does have a proper cat name but that’s decided each performance by the audience). He’s been performing in The Riverfront’s panto for many years and clearly knows the audience better than most. The name thing isn’t the only twist to Richard’s character, we in the audience are the only ones who can understand the cat, on stage, all they hear is the miaow – which leads to some lovely comic moments.
ALED PUGH is also back in Newport this time as Idle Jack. As usual Aled gave a brilliant performance, and was given plenty of room to shine in the show, which he most certainly does..
Every panto needs a good Dame and this is no exception in the shape of GARETH TEMPEST who returns to the Newport stage again. He gives a great Sarah the Cook and as you’d expect it’s not only his performance which is colourful and bright, the costumes are pretty terrific too.
What we love about a Newport Panto is we get to see familiar faces and ELIAN WEST is another. Last year a Beauty, this year a rat – not just any, she is Queen Rat and actually seems to be loving stepping into those baddie boots.
The cast also includes ALEX PARRY as Alderman Fitzmorgan, MIA JAE who plays his daughter Alys. CHLOE-JO BYRNES is Fairy Daffodil and of course our dashing Dick Whittington is played by JONATHAN HOULSTON.
What is so good about the Newport panto is they proudly step away from ‘norm’. Dick Whittingto is the story we know and love but it really couldn’t be any more South Wales than it is. We go from Swansea to Newport and very much feel this is a production about the city, by a company who love performing here.
When they say it’s for the whole family, they really mean it. There is absolutely no smut or double entendres, which is a difficult thing to achieve with Dick Whittington and a Pussy Cat as your main characters. Rest assured however, you will have no concerns about taking any member of the family along to the show and having to explain anything a little ‘untoward’. The writing is fantastic and the lines (many of which I’m sure don’t appear in the script) are delivered by a hugely impressive cast.
The kids yelled and screamed with incredible volume. There was even a point where a young lad behind me was completely into the ‘it’s behind you routine’, shouting and yelling, determined to keep the on stage players safe. And that’s what makes panto so uniquely special. It was a real joy to watch, not only the show but also the smiles coming from the kids, and parents as they were swept along with the whole story.
One of the stand out moments for us is a terrific routine aboard the ship which involves inedible food and a beautifully choreographed take on a good old-fashioned custard pie fight. Aled, and the stage gets very messy and the audience loved every second of it.
We felt the cat who got the cream at the end of the show, it really was a purrr-fect night and a show we’d have no hesitation in recommending to you and the family.
DICK WHITTINGTON is at The Riverfront in Newport through to 4th January. Tickets for the hugely popular Pantomime are now on sale on The Riverfront’s website – HERE or you can contact their Box Office team on 01633 656757.
