Dick Whittington and his cat travel well

Friends of St Gabriel’s pantomime - Dick Whittington and his cat

The annual Friends of St Gabriel’s pantomime was Dick Whittington and his cat.

The pantomime broke with normal tradition, instead of travelling to the Indies the cast arrived in America. It was the Indian camp of Sitting Bull that was over run by rats.

The lead role of Dick Whittington was played by Sammie Moore with wonderful clarity and great confidence, she was competently assisted by Laura Culshaw as Alice, and together they made an excellent principal duo.

Janet and Jamie (second principal girl and boy) played by Rachel Kelly and Annika Stilton also revelled in their roles and their duet 'My Guy' was of a very high standard. Chloe Sweeney was delightful as Dick Whittington’s cat; the cats name was chosen at each performance by the children in the audience.

The comedy team was as strong as ever with Simon Thomson as Dame Sarah, Daniel Burns Alderman Fitzwarren, Stuart Crowther Idle Jack, Tim Richardson Captain Birdseye and Adam Sweeney as First mate. The shop routine and press gang antics had the audiences in stitches; the comic timing throughout the show was excellent.

Sitting Bull was majestically played by Matthew Houston together with his trusty brave Andrew Dale. Mrs Sitting Bull and her mother, Running Water, strongly played by Nikkie Louise Williams and Bev Coopers.

The evil parts of the Squire and Queen Rat were in the very experienced hands of Paul Allcock and Karen Smith, both ensuring that lots of booing and shouts of disapproval came from the audience.

The Fairy Queen (Paula Amos) was always on hand to make sure Dick and his Cat fulfilled their destiny, Paula’s deliverance of 'Turn Again Whittington' was 'magic'.

Three choruses from St Gabriel’s school children provided the musical entertainment, performing numbers from days gone by and others bang up to date from shows currently in the West end. The smile on their faces and the enthusiasm shown endorses the fact that children just love to perform on stage and pantomime is an ideal show for them to shine.

The music was again in the talented hands of Peter Fisher; his musical arrangements were a highlight of the show.

Billy Sheerin who wrote and directed the show said: "The massive effort made by all those on stage, back stage, and front of house, was the major reason for the wonderful success of this years show."

With building work going on at the usual venue, St Gabriel’s School, Castleton, this year's panto was performed at Cardinal Langley School, Middleton.