Review of At the Torch from the theatre dance and drama in Wales web site

At the Torch

Dick Whittington , Torch Theatre Company , December 3, 2012

I always enjoy the anticipation of a Torch Theatre Pantomime, and Peter Doran and his talented team and players never disappoint me. Dick Whittington is a show filled with novelty and lots of fine original music and song – enough to showcase each of the talented cast. Oraine Johnson’s Tommy the Cat is the perfect warm up character. Cool and with it, he identifies immediately with the young audience and his dancing talent and personality are so apparent throughout the performance – particularly when he turns up as the Sultan of Morocco.

A giant split-personality bell guides us through each of Sean Crowley’s deceptively simple sets, and the story of how innocent Dick Whittington journeyed to London to become three times Lord Mayor is carried along at a good pace with a rousing ‘Turn again Whittington’ at the interval.The performances of Sion Ifan as Dick Whittington and Gwawr Loader as Alice are excellent and their solos and duet were just right to demonstrate their singing talent. The return of Cardiff’s popular actor Dion Davies guarantees a classy Dame. He takes the part of Dick’s mother Sarah who always appears to have rehearsed her lines with the young audience - and always with a cheeky quip tucked up her skirt for the evening audience.

The music ranges from ballads, rock-n-roll, reggae and the rap performance of ‘That’s what they say in London’ gets a great response from the youngsters. I particularly enjoyed the menace of Jordan Bernarde’s King Rat and was soon booing along with the children. He can rock-n-roll and has two good solo spots and is great when accompanied by his rat’s chorus. Oliver Wood as Alderman Fitzwarren blossoms as the show goes on and demonstrates he can match everyone with his dancing skills. This is great family entertainment and the final number is certainly worthy of a download for the Christmas charts. Matinee performances for schools and community groups are already underway and the public performances of Dick Whittington will begin on from Friday 21st to Saturday 29th December.

Directed by Peter Doran
Designed by: Sean Crowley
Music and Lyrics by: James Williams
Produced by the Torch Theatre Company

Cast:
Sion Ifan Dick Whittington
Dion Davies The Dame
Oliver Wood Alderman Fitzwarren
Gwawr Loader Alice
Jordan Bernade King Rat
Oraine Johnson Tommy the Cat

photo: Craig Sugden

Reviewed by: Ron Waters

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There are 81 other reviews of productions with this title in our database:

At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (02 May 2024)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (08 December 2023)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (07 December 2023)
At the Torch- reviewed by Darryl Dickson (04 October 2018)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (10 May 2018)
At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (12 March 2018)
At the Torch- reviewed by Eifion Jenkins (20 February 2018)
At the Torch- reviewed by Tim Barrett (04 December 2017)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (18 October 2017)
At the Torch- reviewed by Tim Barrett (13 October 2017)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (20 August 2016)
At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (20 July 2016)
At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (04 March 2016)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (13 October 2015)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (09 December 2013)
At the Torch- reviewed by John Cole (13 March 2013)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (10 November 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Amanda Griffiths (15 October 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (08 October 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Jessie Condon (05 October 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Jessie Condon (03 August 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Victor Hallett (16 May 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (10 May 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (27 April 2012)
At the Torch- reviewed by Victor Hallett (09 June 2011)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (14 May 2011)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (15 December 2010)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (11 October 2010)
At the Torch- reviewed by Tim Barrett (19 August 2010)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (13 August 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (07 August 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (04 August 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Adam Somerset (26 April 2009)
At the Torch- reviewed by Tim Barrett (12 December 2008)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (05 April 2008)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (04 December 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (25 October 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (20 July 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (09 March 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters, The Stage (16 February 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (12 February 2006)
At the Torch- reviewed by Terry Johnson, The Stage (15 October 2005)
At the Torch- reviewed by Fiona Phillips (12 October 2005)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (06 October 2005)
At the Torch- reviewed by Simon Carr. Western Telegraph (09 December 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (23 October 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by Emma Jones, Western Telegraph (21 October 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Walters, Milford Mercury (21 October 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by Graham Williams (10 March 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (06 February 2004)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (10 February 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by Vivien Stoddart (06 February 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by Jenny Hanson, Tenby Observer (05 February 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by ANDREW DAVIES, TENBY OBSERVER (31 January 2003)
At the Torch- reviewed by Viv Stoddart, The Stage (06 December 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (06 December 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by JENNY HANSON (06 December 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by ANDREW DAVIES, TENBY OBSERVER (06 December 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Assorted Edinburgh papers (02 August 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Zoe Hewett (26 March 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Zoe Hewett (09 March 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Michael Kelligan (09 March 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Rebecca Nesvet (28 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Viv Stoddart, The Stage (21 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Andrews Davies (15 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by MILFORD & WEST WALES MERCURY (15 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Keith Johnson, Western Telegaph (13 February 2002)
At the Torch- reviewed by Tenby Observer (07 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Viv Stoddart, Milford Mercury (07 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Janet Bott (07 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Fiona Phillips (05 December 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Vivien Stoddart (26 October 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (11 September 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (09 August 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Victoria Cooper (10 March 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Elaine Atack (03 March 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Rebecca Nesvett (28 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Vivien Stoddart (The Stage) (15 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (14 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by Ron Waters (08 February 2001)
At the Torch- reviewed by David Adams (21 October 2000)

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