When it comes to pantomime in Shropshire, one show always seems to steal the spotlight. Theatre Severn’s Christmas production has become a much-loved tradition, thanks to a winning formula the team rarely needs to change. It’s a yearly highlight for families and theatre-goers alike. This festive season, they’re bringing Dick Whittington and His Cat to the stage. Can this year’s adventure live up to the magic and success of the pantos that came before it?
Dick Whittington and His Cat tells the tale of a young man who heads to London in search of fortune, only to find the city overrun by the wicked King Rat. With the help of a clever cat, Dick becomes an unlikely hero, until he’s framed by the villain and forced to flee. His adventures take him across the seas in an attempt to win Alice’s heart.
Each year, the show brings back a few beloved staples that give audiences that comforting feeling, while still keeping things fresh with each new story. This time around, the wheelbarrow of puns came with a clever road sign twist, and the much-loved ‘ghost bench’ made its triumphant return, both earning plenty of laughs from the crowd. One of the real joys of this pantomime is the sheer talent of the cast; they’re so quick and playful that you’re never quite sure what’s scripted and what’s improvised especially during the ‘12 days of Christmas’ sketch which gets more and more chaotic as it goes on. That unpredictability keeps the energy buzzing and frequently has the audience howling with laughter.
The creative team have once again outdone themselves, with Helga Wood pouring incredible detail into the set to bring Dick’s world vividly to life. Every scene feels rich, colourful, and full of character. Chris Hall’s choreography is as sharp as ever, and the ensemble rise to the challenge brilliantly, delivering each number with energy, precision, and real stage presence.
The script by Paul Hendry is absolutely crammed with puns, so many, in fact, that you barely get a moment to catch your breath between them. Each one lands perfectly thanks to the cast’s sharp delivery and brilliant timing. And of course, it wouldn’t be a proper pantomime without some audience participation. This year, an unsuspecting audience member named Gavin found himself roped into playing Dame Sally’s love interest, much to the crowd’s delight with his very own costume. Add in a few cheeky digs at Bridgnorth and Wolverhampton, and the local audience were loving every second, exactly as you’d expect.
Leading the charge once again is firm fan favourite and fast-becoming a pantomime legend, Brad Fitt as Dame Sally. Fresh from his nomination for the Christopher Biggins Award for Best Dame at the 2025 Pantomime Awards, he proves yet again why he’s one of the finest in the country and a huge part of why Shrewsbury’s pantomime continues to shine year after year. Not only does he star in the show, but Fitt also returns as director, bringing his trademark warmth, wit, and impeccable comic timing to every corner of the production. Whether he’s strutting out as Barbie to Raye’s smash hit ‘Where Is My Husband’ or dazzling in one of his many outrageous Dame costumes, Fitt commands the stage every single time.
Teaming up with Brad Fitt once again is Tommy J Rollason, returning to the stage as the ever-energetic Billy. Now in his fourth year performing in Shrewsbury, Rollason has become a familiar and much-loved part of Theatre Severn’s festive lineup. His on-stage partnership with Fitt is as strong as ever; the two bounce off each other with effortless chemistry, delivering rapid-fire comedy, playful mischief, and those perfectly timed moments of chaos that have the audience in stitches. Rollason’s comedy shines throughout, whether he’s pretending to descend invisible stairs, miming an elevator ride, or suddenly appearing on a unicycle while juggling knives.
Ollie Wray takes on the titular role of Richard Henry Whittington, and he does it with real charm. His introduction is cleverly stitched into a pantomime-style parody of ‘Alexander Hamilton’ from the hit musical, giving the story a lively start that is then woven into the story throughout. Lottie Stone, as Alice Fitzwarren, is a real delight. Her vocals are gorgeous, and her perfectly timed deadpan reactions to the chaos around her add an extra layer of comedy. Izzy Charlotte Oliver, playing Tommy the Cat, renamed Caroline for this performance, does everything she can with what is admittedly a fairly limited role, bringing plenty of energy to the stage.
Tim Whitnall, making his pantomime debut as King Rat, throws himself into the villainy with glee, clearly relishing every boo and hiss hurled his way and there were plenty. Rounding out the cast, Cara Dudgeon also shines as Fairy Bowbells, anchoring the show with her wonderfully over-the-top camp flair, especially during her standout number, ‘Welcome to the Panto,’ a hilarious twist on Guns N’ Roses’ ‘Welcome to the Jungle.’
The show wraps up with a show-stopping finale taken straight from Kinky Boots, a big, joyful burst of ‘Just Be’ and with an ending like that, it’s easy to see why Theatre Severn has yet another festive hit on its hands. Dick Whittington and His Cat is full of laughter and proper family fun, proving once again why Shrewsbury’s panto is such a beloved Christmas tradition.
★★★★★
Reviewed on press night. Check out my other reviews or get in touch.
Photography by Pamela Raith.