KINGSKERSWELL Pantomime has been entertaining audiences from 1965 until 2020 when, unfortunately, the society decided to end.

However, Kingskerswell Amateur Theatre Society (KATS) has been formed to bring pantomime back to the village with this year’s production of Dick Whittington.

Pantomime is a unique form of British entertainment, dating back to the 18th Century. It is a musical and concert combined, two of the most challenging forms of theatre for those in the know.

The challenge of directing has been given to Chris Mitchell, who directed TOADS Little Theatre’s pantomime Mother Goose. Kingskerswell Village Hall Committee have been very accommodating in providing KATS with the use of their lovely theatre.

Dick Whittington is one of the classic pantomimes with a great storyline based on a real person, Richard Whitting who became Lord Mayor of London three times.

The story of Dick Whittington places him as a poor orphan boy from the countryside who went to London because he had heard that the city streets were paved with silver and gold. Unfortunately, the streets are not paved with gold, though he meets a very snazzy cat named ‘Tom’ who is excellent at catching rats.

Dick obtains a job at Alterman Fitzwarren’s store with Tom, who is entrusted to look after an expensive necklace for Alice the Alderman’s daughter. However, the evil King Rat conspires to steal the necklace and the Dick is blamed for its loss.

On leaving London, Dick meets Fairy Bowbells who tells him not to lose faith and turn about three times as he will make his fortune in Old London Town.

Dick falls for Alice and sneaks on board the Saucy Sally the Alderman’s ship that is sailing to Morrocco to clear his name.

King Rat has other ideas and sinks the ship, through a Moorish ruler of North Africa, whose kingdom was overrun with rats. Tom rids the kingdom of rats after defeating King Rat and they all happily sail home for Dick and Alice to wed.

This will be a fun-filled pantomime for all the family with laugh-out-loud comedy, over-the-top characters and live music.

The production runs from December 6 to 10 at Kingskerswell Village Hall at 19:30 and matinees at 14:30 on Saturday and Sunday. Book tickets at StageStubs or email [email protected] or call 07415 423157.