Make sure it’s a golden Christmas this year as Lighthouse announces the classic rags to riches story Dick Whittington as its in-house produced family pantomime.
From the same team that brought the house down with the acclaimed Sleeping Beauty last year, as well as the UK Panto Awards winners Aladdin in 2023 and Cinderella in 2022, Dick Whittington will be written and directed by CBeebies star and Lighthouse favourite Chris Jarvis with production design by James Smith.
“It’s such a thrill to be back in Poole with such a well-loved story that’s filled with fun and magic the whole family will love,” says Chris, who will also play the Dame, Dolly Doughnuts.
Sarah-Louise Young, who made such a big impression on audiences last year as the wicked fairy Carabosse, will be back to court the boos and hisses as King Rat; and Bournemouth-based student Corben Heward-Mills, who was in the ensemble cast of Sleeping Beauty last year, returns to play Tommy the Cat.
They’re joined by Poole-born West End star Bernadette Bangura, who is currently starring in Moulin Rouge and was last at Lighthouse as Motormouth Maybelle in Hairspray in 2022, playing Fairy Bowbelles.
“It’s very exciting to be in Dick Whittington this Christmas,” says Bernadette. “I grew up in Bournemouth but I know Poole very well, and spent a lot of my teenage years there – spending my pocket money in the Dolphin Centre on a Saturday, getting chips on Poole Quay and appearing at Lighthouse with theatre groups.
“I’ll have loads of family and friends coming to see me; it’s going to be so much fun!”
Dick Whittington is an exciting pantomime adventure that follows the traditional story about the poor young man who travels to London to make his fortune as he’s been told the streets are paved with gold. With the help of Tommy the Cat he gets a job with Alderman Fitzwarren a wealthy merchant and falls in love with Alice, his boss’ daughter. After falling foul of the villainous King Rat he is forced to leave town but turns back when called by the bells of Bow. What follows is a great adventure across the seas as Tommy helps Dick clear his name, defeat King Rat, win the hand of the fair Alice and securing his fortune.
The production will be made in Poole, especially for Lighthouse audiences, with lavish costumes and sets, magical special effects, spectacular musical numbers and loads of family comedy.
“The Poole audience is always so big hearted, and every year we set ourselves the challenge of giving them even more fun than the year before,” adds Chris. “So we’ll make sure we’ve got all the traditional feel-good panto fun with loads of jokes, incredible lights, brilliant music that mixes hits and classic disco. The costumes will be spectacular and the sets will be really special – there’s a rocking ship in the second act that we think will blow audiences away!”
Further casting announcements will follow in the coming weeks.
Tickets for Dick Whittington are available now at https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/ or on 01202 280000.
(NC)