Highcliffe Charity Players - Dick Whittington and His Cat

About Us

The traditional story sees penniless Dick journey to London with his cat Tommy to seek fame and fortune. He falls in love with Alice Fitzwarren the Alderman’s daughter and is confronted by the villainous King Rat. Forced to flee on the high seas with a motley crew, Dick is eventually washed up on the rat-infested shores of Arabia. Good triumphs over evil as, with the help of his faithful Tommy, Dick defeats King Rat and his vermin army and makes it back to London, to win the hand of Alice and the high office of Lord Mayor of London.

This is classic panto at its finest, with HCP’s renowned formula of great sets, spectacular costumes and lively song and dance routines, combined with the usual quota of slapstick comedy and audience participation. (Oh yes you will!)

Returning to direct after a gap of over ten years and continuing the family tradition is ex-HCP Chairman, Matthew Smith (his late father, Tony Smith co-founded the Players in 1971 and was their renowned Dame for 25 years).  Says Matthew: “It’s very gratifying to be back directing the Players again, I’ve proudly watched the Company go from strength to strength. The legendary Dick Whittington and his inseparable cat is a great story, a perennial favourite among panto-goers that has delighted generations. I’ve loved the excitement and fun of panto since a child, so I guarantee there will be plenty of silly humour and spectacle for youngsters to hiss and cheer at.” And there’s another family connection – Matthew’s 17-year-old Stanley is playing Tommy the Cat.  “I so wanted to be the Cat”, he says.  “I think people might be a little surprised – but I hope amused – when they see how I’m playing him. Miaow!”

Appearing in her first panto is 24-year-old Naomi Mantle in the title role, who says: “I am beyond excited to have been chosen to play Dick alongside such a talented cast. Though I started dancing at the age of two and have performed in shows locally since I was three, this is my ever first major role – let the fun begin!”  Dick’s sweetheart Alice is played by 22-year-old Hannah Jean. “My last panto role was Jim Hawkins in HCP’s Treasure Island, so it’s nice to be playing a girl this time around.  Luckily, though I ’m 5ft 10ins, Dick is as tall as I am!” 

HCP stalwart Mike Young takes on the evil King Rat. “Though I’ve got my teeth into playing Little Red Riding Hood’s  Big Bad Wolf a couple of times, this is my first King Rat, and I hope to get even more ‘boos’ with this baddie of the piece.” The comedy is in good hands too, with Paul Barrington returning as HCP’S larger-than-life Dame - Gertrude Sprat, the Fitzwarren’s housekeeper. “I just adore the ever-changing wigs and costumes darling, and I promise to be even more outrageous this time around!” he says.  Another seasoned HCP favourite, Malcolm George, plays ‘her’ son ‘Idle’ Jack Sprat. “I love doing comic roles,” says Malcolm. “It’s always such a laugh exchanging banter with the audience.”

Making his first foray into panto is Denis Carlton as Alice’s father Alderman Fitzwarren (Denis plays Harry Selfridge at Highcliffe Castle) and Debra Slee makes her HCP debut as Fairy Bow-Bells. Alice’s scatty maid Maisy Dotes is played by Hayley Ruck, Dave Coward is Captain Cutlass, master of the good ship ‘Battered Haddock’ and Pete Whitaker is the wealthy Sultan Peppa. And completing the cast are Matt Morrell and Matt Jenkins, relishing their first panto roles as the comic duo Beau Larrat and Beau Lamova, the Brokers Men.

Back choreographing is singer and dancer Yvonne Gray, who has been performing with local societies for 30 years now, but not choreographed an HCP panto since Cinderella in 2006.  “It’s good to be devising routines again”, she says.  “I’m really enjoying putting the cast through their paces and hopefully creating some show stopping numbers!” And completing the production team is HCP’s Musical Director, Stuart Darling heading the 8-piece live panto band.