Dick Whittington - January 2004

Chameleons chose the traditional tale of Dick Whittington for pantomime in 2004. John Morley's funny retelling of the story has all the pantomime elements. Dick, our young hero, comes to London to make his fortune, befriending Tommy the cat along the way. He meets young and pretty Alice, who persuades her father, Alderman Fitwarren, to give him a job. But evil King Rat wants to take over London and become Lord Mayor, so Dick, Tommy and Fairy Tinkle must thwart his wicked plan.

Dick Whittington was a real person and was elected Lord Mayor of London three times:

Dick Whittington's story

History of the pantomime Dick Whittington

Liz Strevens was the director. Here are a few photographs from the show, and the review in the Hampshire Chronicle.

Dick and his cat, Tommy, pose with the chorus for the Chronicle photographer. The costumes made by our wardrobe ladies are colourful and light up the stage.	King Rat and his ratlings make a dramatic entrance - green lights and the sound of Carmina Burana, now irrevocably associated with evil!	Idle Jack is so idle, he needs the audience to keep him awake, and to "water his wose". Here he is cajoling the audience to shout out to him whenever he yawns.
Alice in the shop. Kym James has been appearing in our pantomimes since she was small, and this is her first appearance as principal girl.	Dick has been accused of stealing. Our intrepid band of special constables try to track him down.	Fairy Tinkle weaves a magic spell to persuade Dick to stay in London.
Dick has been proved innocent, thanks to Tinkle, and joins the rest of the crew on the dockside to sail to Morroco.	In the Sultan's gorgeous palace, Sarah Suet wears a costume bought for a ridiculous figure, and bursts into song, a rip roaring version of "It's raining men".