Dick Whittington – Mint Theatre Society
Stonnall Village Hall
Sunday 14th December – Dress Rehearsal
By Nigel Gambles
Photography – Studio 55 Photography
Mint Theatre Group once again bring community theatre magic to Stonnall Village Hall with their fun-filled production of Dick Whittington — a lively, laugh-a-minute pantomime packed with local humour, catchy songs and plenty of audience interaction.
Leading the show with charm and confidence, Ellie Ball makes a spirited Dick Whittington, full of enthusiasm and warmth. Her chemistry with Beth Howell as Alice Fitzwarren adds a lovely romantic note to the adventure, while Charlotte Ball as Fairy Bow Bells brings a graceful sparkle to every scene, guiding Dick and the audience with poise and gentle humour.
Every good panto needs its mischief, and Duncan Gleig as King Rat delivers villainy with relish — booed, hissed and loved in equal measure. Dave Stonehouse as Sarah the Cook is a joy from start to finish, delighting the crowd with larger-than-life energy, perfectly timed gags and more outrageous costumes than you can count.
Andrew Hughes shines as the ever-daft Idle Jack, keeping the laughter coming thick and fast, while Rebecca Shiner’s Cat adds a wonderfully playful touch with great physical comedy and charm. David Daly as Alderman Fitzwarren and Paul Warner as Sultan Vinegar both bring solid character work to their roles, and Liz Daly’s Tricky Pete adds just the right pinch of panto mischief.
The show is full of colourful set pieces, cheerful choreography and a clear sense of fun shared between cast and audience alike. With strong direction from Alex Howell, clever local references and plenty of heart, Dick Whittington captures exactly what makes traditional pantomime so special.
Mint Theatre Group prove once again that community theatre can deliver professional-quality laughs and feel-good festive entertainment.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A joyous, family-friendly pantomime brimming with humour, heart and hometown sparkle.
