REVIEW: Dick Whittington at Venue Cymru

Dec 18 2008 By Judith Phillips

John Challis

AS BOYCIE the businessman with a penchant for verbal gaffes in Only Fools and Horses, John Challis displayed a remarkable comedy talent, and in Dick Whittington, this year’s pantomime at Venue Cymru in Llandudno, he shows a surprisingly villainous side to his character.

As King Rat, he plays the baddie to perfection, eliciting lots of shouts and boos from the enthralled young audience, while slipping in the odd joke and innuendo to make the adults chuckle.

Torchwood star Kai Owen provides the perfect foil to this nastiness as a boyishly cheerful Dick, who even when down on his luck with only his faithful cat Tommy for company, manages to crack a joke. He brings lots of youthful energy to the role and displays a great singing voice in the lavish production numbers.

Lora Munro makes a pert and pretty Alice who captures Dick's heart, and Llandudno’s own Kate Galston is a delightful good fairy as well as displaying a comedy talent which had the audience chuckling during her scenes with King Rat.

Comedian John Evans makes a jolly Captain Cockle, and is great at audience participation getting the kids singing along and taking part in action songs as well as making the adults roll in the aisles with some up- to-the-minute gags.

And the tiny tots from the Pearl Shaw School of Dancing in Colwyn Bay brought energy and fun.