Dick Whittington the Harrogate Theatre Pantomime

Friday evening found the Bentley clan doing their usual pilgrimage to Harrogate Theatre to see this year's pantomime - Dick Whittington. It was a rather special occasion for the theatre as it was their one hundred and tenth season, and also the tenth appearance of Tim Stedman in the comic role. As has become expected Tim was up to his usual form - the Christmas Cracker jokes (What do you get if you cross a cow with a sheep and a goat? - The Milky Baaaa Kid!) were as corny as ever, and he did his usual stupid boy act.

This year he was Idle Jack, who always fell asleep at the mention of the word "work", and had to be awakened by the audience each time. At his very first entry he singled out a member sat in the front row of the audience, and a running gag throughout the show was a telephone which kept ringing and the person on the other end was wanting to speak to the person singled out. The poor guy finished up having to conduct the whole theatre in a rendition of the song "Tommy the Cat" with the glare of a follow spot on him!

Tim Stedman as Idle Jack

Lara Denning, who played Dick Whittington, has appeared in pantomime in Harrogate in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Aladdin, Mother Goose, and Sleeping Beauty, so is now becoming almost as much a fixture as Tim Stedman!

Lara Denning as Dick Whittington

Harold Chadwick took the part of Sarah the Cook, and worked well, being able to ad lib when necessary.

Sarah the Cook (Idle Jack's Mother)

Local girl Chloe Smith played Tommy the Cat, and displayed her agility with cartwheels and the like!

Idle Jack with Tommy the Cat

Fairy Bow Bells was played by Polly Lister, who has also appeared in Cinderella and Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs at Harrogate.



Adlerman Fitzwarren (played by David Westbrook) last appeared in Cinderella (as Baron Hardup) in Harrogate 2 years ago, whilst Alice Fitzwarren (played byLucy-Jane Quinlan) was a newcomer to the Harrogate Pantomime.

Polly Lister - (who also played Fairy Bow Bells) gave a stirring performance as the Sultaness, whilst Tom Peters who played King Rat, with lots of Cockney Rhyming Slang, made a wonderful villain. He showed his ability to ad lib with the audience, particularly the children, who were booing him!

Once again members of the Bentley family got mentioned in the dedications. This time it was the turn of Hannah and Ben. It just happened to be their 5 month wedding anniversary!

So yet another enjoyable and entertaining pantomime. If you get the opportunity to see a Harrogate Pantomime Production you will not be disappointed. They are truly family orientated and traditional - none of the big star names, just good wholesome family entertainment!