Dick Whittington & His Trusted Cat – The Grange Theatre, Hartford: Cheshire
Writer: Brian Herring
Director: Antony Law
Reviewer: Jacqui Senaun
The Public Reviews Rating: 
There is a smorgasbord of Pantomimes to chose from every year, and I must admit I have never really been taken by Dick Whittington, usually opting for a more traditional tale like Cinderella, Aladdin or Snow White, but I shouldn’t have worried as the second offering this year from Halle Productions, is a fun-filled frolic in Panto-land and one that is highly recommended to all.
Unlike most pantomimes Dick Whittington is based on the true story of Richard Whittington, who goes to London to seek his fortune, and thanks to the rat catching skills of his trusted cat Tom (Lydia Louisa, who makes being a cat look like an art form,) becomes Lord Mayor of London.
Many pantomimes fall at the first hurdle with its casting filling most roles with ‘Star’ names, the shows can feel rather flat and lacklustre, but at the Grange Theatre only two ‘Star’ names feature and they bring plenty of enthusiasm from the off. Andy Scott-Lee (Pop Idol & 3SL) makes a dashing Dick and as one would expect has an excellent singing voice. The other billed name is Rowetta of Happy Mondays and X-Factor fame as the Evil Queen Rat. Rowetta clearly relishes the villainess role enjoying and gaining great confidence from the boos and hisses coming from the auditorium. A surprise considering she is making her panto debut.
One must congratulate Anthony Wren, who after unforeseen circumstances took on the part of Sarah the Cook with less than 12 hours before the productions opening night and you wouldn’t have guessed. Wren provides the show with a caring and nurturing Dame, which is still littered with excellent comedy and brightly coloured costume changes. Naomi Cooper-Davis shines brightly as the cockney Fairy Bow Belles and engages the audience from the off. Mia-Jay Clarson is perfect as Alice Fitzwarren, providing a fantastic girl next door portrayal and everything one hopes a fairytale “Princess” should be.
The Pantomime comedy comes from two able performers, who bring many of the audience to tears of laughter; John Garfield-Roberts as Alderman Fitzwarren as well as some more surprising roles, really knows how to hold the audience in his hands, having the children and adults transfixed from beginning to end thanks to his hilarious rubber-faced facial expressions. Whilst in the role of Idle Jack is Panto veteran Gareth James, here we have a performer who clearly knows the art of comedy, and whether it is a silly punch line or straight-laced delivery he manages to gain laughter from every line he says. James is also a pro at handling the famous song sheet routine allowing the children to feel comfortable on the stage and letting them really enjoy their five minutes of fame.
This panto is filled to the brim with song and dance and the latter is performed to the highest of standards thanks to Casey-Lee Jolleys stunning choreography which is pulled off with energy and panache from the four strong senior dancers, Laura Evason, Lauren Edwards, Claire Booth & Marnie-Lee Clarson, alongside the panto babes provided by local dance school The Joan Pierpoint School of Dance and Drama.
Pantomime can be overly long and tiresome, but director Antony Law has kept this production short and sweet (60minutes each half) which allows for the action to flow and the story not to get swamped in too much business which often litters far too many pantomimes. Overall Dick Whittington and His Trusted Cat is one of the best Pantomimes my family have seen, and one that comes highly recommended to all.
Runs until 3rd January 2011
Tags: Andy Scott-Lee, Anthony Wren, Antony Law, Brian Herring, Casey-Lee Jolleys, Claire Booth, Dick Whittington & His Trusted Cat, Gareth James, Grange Theatre, Halle Productions, Hartford, Joan Pierpoint School of Dance & Drama, John Garfield-Roberts, Laura Evason, Lauren Edwards, Lydia Louisa, Marnie-Lee Clarson, Mia-Jay Clarson, Naomi Cooper-Davis, Rowetta
7:11 pm on December 21st, 2010
We took our 4 children todayat 2pm (21st Dec). The show was cancelled with no notice as the performers walked out. We were initially told that there was a ‘technical fault’. Turns out this was a lie and that the cast hadn’t been paid.
Apparently last nights show was cancelled and those turned away told to come back today.
Quay Tickets refunded immediately, however this doesn’t make up for the upset children, the traveland the disappointment.
There was no one claiming any responsibility – the man behind the desk said he was only selling the drinks (I’m not entirely convinced about this).
The website doesn’t make any mention of yesterdays or todays cancellations, although apparently it says on the Quay Tickets site, but as I went to The Grange’s website for directions, it isn’t very helpful.
No apologies given, and apparently the company has the same producer has Cinderella which has been cancelled at Hyde Town Hall. I suggest his productions are best avoided in the future.
9:11 am on December 22nd, 2010
The only advice we at The Public Reviews can give about any show that gets cancelled is this.
1) Call the vendor from whom you purchased your tickets from and arrange either a full refund or exchange
2) If you paid by your Credit/Debit Card also ring your issuing bank as you may be covered for such loss through your bank/building society.
1:12 pm on December 24th, 2010
OUTRAGEOUS !!! Cancelled with no notice. No one available to explain having phoned the ticket booking line at 12.15 we were told that as far as they were aware it was on that is the 1.00 show. Do not book tickets wit this company.
3:51 pm on December 24th, 2010
Husband and wife team Michael Hizer also known as David Hizer and Casey Hizer also known as Casey-Lee Jolleys of the Bolton based Halle Productions and The Academy North West, produced two pantomimes this year: Dick Whittington at The Grange Theatre in Hartford, Cheshire and Cinderella at Hyde Town Hall. Both have reviews on this site.
We are told that Casey-Lee Jolleys has recently replaced Mia-Jay Clarson as Alice Fitzwarren.
So, whilst the Casey-Lee Jolleys is tucking into her Turkey this Saturday it’s doubtful that she and her husband Michael Hizer will spare a thought for the all the heart broken children who had hoped to see Cinderella or Dick Whittington; or for the disappointed grown ups who’ve spent their hard earned cash on void tickets; or for the hardworking staff at Hyde Town Hall and The Grange Theatre who are dealing with the back lash; or for the devastated Casts of both panto’s who’ve not merely been robbed of their Christmas wages, but who find themselves out of pocket, having to settle up for their digs whilst they’ve been working away from home; or the back stage crew: Director; Writer; light and sound engineers; set designers; props and wardrobe hire companies and public relations consultant who feel like they’ve been mugged by eels; And last but not least, our client Bruce Jones (Les Battersby) who played Doc Hardup in Cinderella, was working hard to get his home life and his career back on track, and who has not only been scammed and scapegoated by these scurrilous Pantomime Producers, Casey-Lee Jolleys and Michael Hizer of the Bolton based HALLE PRODUCTIONS… but our client Bruce Jones has since been vilified and brought to his knees by the unethical journalist, Richard Moriarty, with his damaging story in The Sun newspaper on Monday 20th December that has set in motion an avalanche of interest on sites like Heatworld and Digial Spy, who have copied and pasted Richard Moriarty’s his article into their sites without contacting us (Bruce’s Agents) to verifying the quote supposedly made by Tony Nyland, that was in fact utter fabrication by Richard Moriarty and for which we have made an official complaint to the PCC (Press Complaints Commission).
Ironically Casey-Lee Jolley’s claim to fame is a few episodes of Coronation Street, many years back, when she played the role of the Con Artist Thai Bride Stacey/Orchid. In the story line she conned butcher Fred Elliot.
As far as we are aware, neither Casey-Lee Jolleys or Michael Hizer for HALLE PRODUCTIONS ltd have given their apologies or offered any alternative show to the people who have bought tickets only to find the performance cancelled.
Luckily for Casey-Lee Jolleys (37), it sounds like she’s has landed on her feet by swiftly replacing the lovely Mai-Jay Clarson as Alice Fitzwarren.
7:30 pm on December 27th, 2010
The Grange Theatre has hired its venue to Halle Productions for its production of “Dick Whittington”. We as a venue are equally as shocked as the audiences that performances are being cancelled. The venue does not have any input in these decisions and is trying to work closley with Halle Productions to try and resolve this. Halle Productions statement at the venue is “The Performances are cancelled due to technical difficulties” and still working to resume all shows as scheduled. We as a venue apologise for any inconvenice caused. Quay Tickets can only give the information they know and this is only authorised by Halle Productions. I do hope that everyone sees that the Grange Theatre and Quay Tickets are not to blame for these cancelled shows.
5:06 pm on February 5th, 2011
Halle Productions Ltd are bunch of thieves!! Bought our tickets for cash through the Grange Box Office. Been chasing Halle for weeks and still no refund. Never ever book to see one of their productions again or if you’re a supplier avoid them like the plague. Definitely fit into the category of rogue traders!