A panto worth waiting for

Jan 12 2012 by Andrew Jackson, Buckinghamshire Advertiser

ONE of the oldest dramatic societies in Bucks is staging a traditional pantomime at Iver Village Hall later this month.

The Richings Players, who were founded in 1926, present Dick Whittington from January 25 to January 28.

Although it is traditional for most pantomimes to be held over the Christmas holidays, it has been a long held tradition with the Richings Players to stage their annual offering early in the new year. Director Adrian Uzzell said: “We like to give the cast and crew a rest over Christmas. The show is certainly worth waiting for.”

Mr Uzzell, who has been chairman of the Richings Players for the last four years, says Dick Whittington will be a return to traditional pantomine.

He said: “For the last three years, we’ve had people writing and directing their own pantomime. Dick Whittington has a dame played by a man, a cat, some rats, songs… and, above all, plenty of audience participation. The principal is a boy played by a girl and young kids might not understand that.

“This is good family entertainment and an interesting story. It is not like a fairy tale as Dick Whittington actually did exist. As its set in London, we’ve tried to stress the topicality. There are a number of references to Jubilee and Olympic years.”

l Dick Whittington is at 7.45pm on January 25 to January 28. There is a matinee on January 28 at 2.30pm.

Tickets are on sale at £11 and £9 for concessions.

To book, call the box office on 01753 654 550 or go to www.richingsplayers.com.