Dick Whittington - Rugby Theatre - running until January 18

IT'S that time of year again, oh yes it is! Panto has returned to the Rugby Theatre stage.

The Henry Street venue is staging Dick Whittington until January 18.

The performance has all the ingredients of a classic panto - larger than life characters, dastardly villains, a dippy dame and rousing songs.

The play centres on Dick, played by panto regular Michele Marsella and his slinky sidekick Tommy the Cat (Helen Cotterill).

Dick, a penniless country boy from Gloucester, journeys to London to seek his fortune.

He quickly finds employment with local businessman Alderman Fitzwarren (Andy Yardley) and harbours dreams to work his way up to becoming Lord Mayor of London.

But unbeknown to Dick, the evil King Rat, played with great relish by Lee Bunting, has his own sights set on becoming Mayor and is already plotting Dick's downfall.

He plants a stash of Alderman Fitzwarren's cash in Dick's bundle which leads to our hero being accused as a thief.

Banished back to Gloucester, all hope appears to be gone for Dick until he has a change of heart and marches back to the capital to clear his name.

In true panto style the play's pace never lets up and the audience is treated to some rousing classic numbers including The Gang's all Here and I Am What I am.

My only complaint is that for some of the songs I was unable to hear the lyrics clearly projected above the background music.

And panto's just not the same now that the actors are banned from throwing sweets into the crowd!

All in all, it's a great family show, with much hilarity performed by an accomplished cast.

Special mention goes to bungling duo Captain Cockle and Mr. Mussel (Danny Smith and Neil Barnacle) whose constant bickering is a joy to behold.

Steve Bradham is equally outrageous as Sarah the Cook - look out for his bellydance!

To pre book tickets for Dick Whittington call the theatre's box office on (01788) 541234.