LatestReviewsDick Whittington Plymouth

Dick Whittington has arrived into Theatre Royal Plymouth! What a glittering triumph of a panto it is! With a lavish London Palladium set and constumes to match Plymouth you are in for a real treat this festive period. We were lucky enough to be front row on opening night Friday 12th December!

If you thought Plymouth had already seen peak pantomime, Dick Whittington has arrived to politely — then loudly — prove you wrong. From the moment the curtain went up at Theatre Royal Plymouth, it was clear that Dick Whittington this year isn’t just a panto, it’s a gold-dusted blockbuster. With lavish sets and costumes direct from the London Palladium, this production delivers on spectacle and spice in equal measure, a real festive treat.

👑 Paved with Gold (Literally and Figuratively!)

Let’s start with the visuals, because honestly… wow. The set and costumes are sensational, lavish, gleaming and gloriously over the top. There’s a real London Palladium feel (becuase it basically is) to the whole affair, with scene changes that feel cinematic rather than functional. At times it genuinely feels like the stage has been paved with gold and not just metaphorically.

Every location is beautifully realised, every costume sparkles under the lights, and there’s a constant sense that no corners have been cut. This is pantomime with production values turned all the way up, and it’s thrilling to see Plymouth hosting something on this scale yet again.

🎭 The Cast That Makes It Sparkle

Shane Richie absolutely owns the title role of Dick! Shaneonce again proves why he’s such a dependable and beloved panto star. As Dick, he’s effortlessly charming, brilliantly comic, and completely in control of the audience. His timing is razor-sharp, his asides land perfectly, and yes, there is plenty of smut.

The innuendo flows freely, delivered with a twinkle and just enough cheek to delight the adults without derailing the family-friendly spirit. Kids laugh, grown-ups laugh harder, and Richie knows exactly when to lean into the joke and when to pull back. It’s a confident, seasoned performance that anchors the whole production.

Local Talent Shines Bright

It’s a particular joy to see Plymouth’s very own Samuel Holmes return for his third year, once again proving why he’s such a firm favourite with local audiences. His presence brings warmth, heart and a genuine sense of pride to the production, and it’s clear how much the audience appreciates seeing home-grown talent shining on such a grand stage.

Sam shines bright like a diamond in this production, his quick wit, perfect timing and loveable smile keeps you wanting more.

Not to forget his costumes! What can we say other than wow, they might be some of Julian Clary’s but Sam makes them his own – “Geddon Sam” you are a sensational addition to our panto once again.

A Wickedly Wonderful Villain

Anne Smith’s Queen Rat gives the boos and hisses exactly what they came for, she is wonderfully wicked and gleefully evil. No great panto is complete without a villain you love to hate, and Queen Rat absolutely delivers. Her evil runs right through the show, giving audiences endless opportunities for boos, hisses and collective outrage. She’s deliciously wicked, commanding the stage whenever she appears and fully embracing the theatrical excess that pantomime villains demand.

Meanwhile, Emily Beth Harrington (Alice), Kira McPherson (Kitty Cat) and pantomime dame extraordinaire Iain Stuart Robertson (Sarah, The Cook) round out a cast bursting with talent and laughs.

The supporting cast across the board are strong, committed, and clearly having a fantastic time — which is infectious. Musical numbers are delivered with gusto, choreography pops, and the ensemble work keeps the pace moving at a cracking speed they glitter the stage with their presence.

😂 Comedy, Chaos & Crowd Participation

This Dick Whittington understands pantomime DNA: classic humour, cheeky double-entendres (yes, plenty of smut, grown-ups, you’ve been warned), and laugh-out-loud moments that had the entire audience roaring. Kids were clutching their sides, adults were howling louder, and there was real magic in the air from start to finish.

Audience interaction is on point, expect the kind of “oh yes it is/ooh no it isn’t!” banter and communal jeering that makes pantomime the rowdy seasonal staple it hopes to be and more. Though I have to admit there was a little too much this year… “oh yes there was”.

Yes, it’s family-friendly, but this panto definitely nods at its adult audience with some delightfully unsubtle jokes that fly right over the little ones’ heads (and often under the radar of the kids who think anything involving rats is scary and brilliant).

The crowd interaction here is spot on — loud, joyful, and gloriously chaotic — reminding us that pantomime isn’t meant to be a polite experience. It is also wonderfult to see kids plucked from the audience to add to the comedic effects, you really do not know what they are going to say next, a panto staple that we are glad to see return to our Plymouth stage.

🎉 Final Curtain Call

From curtain up to curtain down, Dick Whittington at Theatre Royal Plymouth is a thrilling, glittery, laugh-a-minute pantomime that lives up to the hype, and then some. It’s a big, bold, gold-paved festive feast for the eyes and the funny bone. If Plymouth hasn’t been blown away yet, just wait until this show hits full swing — it’s a championship-level panto that’s rolling out the red carpet and then dancing on it.

What really sets this production apart is its consistency. There’s no sagging middle, no rushed ending, no filler scenes. From opening number to final bows, it’s slick, joyful, and bursting with festive spirit.

Go see it. Laugh. Boo. Hiss. Throw sweets. Have the best time. Book now before its too late, you really do not want to miss this senstaional production. You can secure your tickets here.