Review: Dick Whittington At Harrow Arts Centre
Last night I saw my first Dick Whittington. After ten years in London, I’d never been to a version of this pantomime, though I’d often seen the adverts. What I hadn’t realised until now is that the story is loosely based on the real historical figure Richard Whittington, a wealthy merchant and Lord Mayor of London in the late 14th and early 15th centuries.
The plot follows Dick as he ventures to London, where the streets are paved with gold (if only!). He quickly meets Timmy the Tom Cat, Alice (his instant love interest), and Cecily Sweetlove. But beneath those streets lurks the villainous King Rat and his rodent army, plotting to take over London and enslave humanity. Will Dick save the day?
Of course, as with any panto, the story is secondary to the costumes, comedy, and chaos. One moment some characters are stranded on an island, the next they’re back together. Wordplay abounds — “how ya fe‑line?” prompts the audience to shout back “puuurfect.”
Audience interaction is at the heart of this production. From the moment I arrived, characters mingled with the crowd, prepping children and adults alike. The rat army stormed the aisles, gleefully “scaring” adults. On the pirate ship, water guns were fired into the audience to squeals of delight, while “The Twelve Days of Christmas” became a riot of squirting water and tossed balls. It’s a loud, high‑energy show, and that’s exactly the point.
The cast includes:
• Sam Carlyle as Fairy Bowbells
• Jaymes Sygrove as King Rat
• Phillip McParland as Sweetlove
• Ben Parker as Timmy
• Alex Bloomer as the Mayor
• Harry Simmonds as Dick Whittington
Together they deliver a fast‑paced extravaganza bursting with colour and mayhem.
For the first time, Harrow’s panto features digital scenery — from sweet shops to sewers, islands to pirate ships — adding a modern twist to the spectacle. I particularly liked the local gags: shopfronts labelled ‘Whethered Spoons’, ‘Ye Old Morrisons,” (the supermarket next door next) and HAC itself. Having lived and worked in Harrow, the location jokes landed far better for me than at pantos in other boroughs, for example when Watford is teased as a far away land.
Music is one of the best parts of pantos for me and this production delivered. My favourite scene was ‘Rat out of Hell’ with sung by King Rat and his vermin army. ‘Shut up and dance with me’ performed by Dick and Alice had the audience clapping along. There may even be a surprise appearance from the Back Street Boys!
The craze of ‘6‑7’ was unavoidable here, with children squealing in delight as they shouted it and did the hand gestures. Meanwhile, adults were kept entertained by a witty chocolate‑bar routine.
Each Christmas, Harrow Arts Centre’s pantomime welcomes thousands of local families and has become the venue’s flagship festive event. This year’s Dick Whittington proves why: it’s a lively, laugh‑filled panto experience that is the purrr‑fect Christmas treat for the entire family!
Next year, Immersion Theatre returns with Sleeping Beauty, promising fiery dragons, daring escapes, and dazzling fun.
Performing from 12 to 30th December 2025. Timings vary depending on date.
Address: Harrow Arts Centre, 171 Uxbridge Rd, Pinner HA5 4EA
Website: https://harrowarts.com/whats-on/event/dick-whittington-pantomime
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrowartscentre?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/immersiontheatre
