PANTO SEASON: DICK WHITTINGTON To Play At Chipping Norton

A new pantomime by Ben Crocker will open at the The Theatre Chipping Norton on Tuesday 17 November for a seven-week season to Saturday 9 January 2010.

Join Dick, a Cotswold lad, and his amazing cat, Tommy, as they venture up to London and on to exotic Morocco in this much loved tale of rags to riches.  Not only do they face the wicked King Rat - but also bun fights, grumpy emperors and storm-tossed seas in a roller coaster adventure story, filled with fun, song, sweets, and romance.

Dick Whittington & His Cat is directed by John Terry, with music by Thomas Johnson, design by Will Fricker, lighting by Amy Southeard, choreography by Tim Claydon and musical direction by Peter Pontzen.

Jason Langley is Dick Whittington, Emma Carroll Tommy The cat, Jessica Ellerby Good Fairy, Paul Lacoux Captain & Sultan, Laurence Aldridge Idle Jack and Ian Blower Sarah The Cook. The production is sponsored by Kingham Hill School.

John Terry's credits include Time Out Critic's Choice Rolf Hochhuth's 'Soldiers' at the Finborough and'The Ladies Cage' at the Royal Exchange Manchester. He was staff director for Howard Davies production of Howard Brenton's 'Never So Good' at the National Theatre last year.

Ben Crocker was Artistic Director of the the Northcott Theatre Exeter for ten  years to 2008 during which time he directed eleven pantomimes and wrote four.   A special revolve has been installed for Dick Whittington & His Cat.  Will Fricker has designed the biggest set there has ever been for a pantomime at Chipping Norton. He  has just designed  at The Peacock and Royal Court. He has been an assistant to Rae Smith on 'War Horse' and assistant to Tim Shorthall for the Donmar Broadway transfer of 'The Philanthropist'.

The Chipping Norton pantomime has been presented since 1973. When booking opened in July people were queuing at 5.00am for tickets.