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The all-drag pantomime production of Dick Whittington is coming to London’s West End this Christmas, with plans to entertain UK audiences for a run of six shows over the festive period and into the new year. Drag shows and pantomimes for grown-ups have become an increasingly popular staple of the UK’s live entertainment scene in recent years, and following a panto-less year after Covid-19 closures last Christmas, this show will undoubtedly be all the more welcome.
TuckShop are back in the West End for another hilarious all-drag panto this Christmas in London.
Join our hero Dick Whittington (Cheryl Hole) on his thrilling quest to find adventure fame and fortune in the glittering streets of Soho, with his feisty and funny pussy cat (Holly Stars). Will he be able to defeat villainous rodent Queen Rat (Choriza May), with the help of the Spirit of Soho (Kitty Scott Claus), save the city and win the hand of his love, the beautiful Alice?
Get ready to follow your dreams as this classic tale is re-imagined in TuckShop’s own way. Unlike any other pantomime you’ll see, written by Gareth Joyner, you’ll be gagging on Dick and his friends as they bring the spirit of Soho to the West End.
TuckShop’s fabulous adaptations of pantomimes have undoubtedly been missed following the pandemic year, and will surely be welcomed back to the stage warmly following their hit version of Cinderella, interpreted in the company’s unique and entertaining style.
“Dick Whittington and His Cat is the English folklore surrounding the real-life Richard Whittington, wealthy merchant and later Lord Mayor of London. The legend describes his rise from poverty-stricken childhood with the fortune he made through the sale of his cat to a rat-infested country. However, the real Whittington did not come from a poor family of common stock, and there is no compelling evidence supporting the stories about the cat, or even whether he owned one.”
In traditional panto, the tale follows Dick Whittington becoming thrice Lord Mayor of London. The fairy helps Dick by sending him a companion, Tommy the Cat. They find London Town where they meet Alderman Fitzwarren and Dick falls for his daughter Alice. But King Rat has a different idea, he hates cats! With Sarah the Cook and Idle Jack bringing lots of comedy and jokes, this fast paced panto travels from London to Morocco.
Some exciting names have been announced ahead of the show, including: Cheryl Hole as Dick, Kitty Scott Claus as the Spirit of Soho, Choriza May as Queen Rat, Holly Stars as The Cat, Beau Jangles as The Mayor of Soho, Yshee Black as Dame Sarah, Ophelia Love as Villager Number 4, Karen from Finance as Alice, and Richard Energy as Daddy.
Speaking to WhatsOnStage, Karen from Finance shared her excitement ahead of the show’s imminent opening night, exclaiming:
“If the parks are the lungs of London, then the Theatre is absolutely the heart. This is my second big show with TuckShop, and in it I’m making both my Panto debut AND my West End debut. Also working alongside such a stellar cast, it’s all living proof that dreams really do come true in London town!”
While the full creative team is still yet to be announced, we do know that Dick Whittington is written by Gareth Joyner, co-produced with Ameena Hamid, and is directed by Chris Clegg, who is TuckShop’s founder and Creative Director.
The pantomime runs from Sunday 5th December 2021 – Sunday 9th January 2022 at The Phoenix Theatre, with six total shows that are suitable for a recommended audience aged 14 and up. The show dates and times for the production are:
Links:
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Michelle is a musician and composer from the UK. She has performed across the UK and Europe and is passionate about arts education and opportunities for women and girls.
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