Act 1

Prologue
1. Outside Fitzwarren's Stores in London
2. Petticoat Lane
3. Inside Fitzwarren's Stores
4. Near the Mansion House
5. The Milestone on Highgate Hill

Act 2

1. The 'Saucy Sal' at the Port of London
2. Below Decks
3. The 'Saucy Sal' at Sea
4. The Shores of Morocco
5. The Harem of the Court of Morocco
6. Back home in London
7. The Whittington Wedding

Programme Notes

Will The Real Dick Whittington Stand Up?

We are all familiar with the homely tale of poor country boy Dick Whittington finding fame and fortune in London through the rat catching activities of his cat in far away lands.

The truth is just a little different. Richard Whittington was born in 1350, the son of a Gloucestershire Knight. When his father died and his older brother inherited the estate, Richard (Dick) travelled to London to be apprenticed.

He became a merchant dealing in valuable cloth from abroad - silks, velvets and cloth of gold. The main market for such goods was the Royal Court. Dick Whittington supplied goods to King Richard II as well as King Henry IV and Henry V. He lent large sums of money to the Crown. In return he was allowed to export wool without paying customs tax. He became rich and was made Mayor of London (there was not a Lord Mayor at the time) on four occasions (1397, 1398, 1406 and 1419).

Dick died in 1423. His wife Alice predeceased him and they had no children. He left his great wealth to be used for the benefit of the City. The money was used to set up almshouses for poor people, a college, a library and to carry out public works. The Whittington Charity still benefits disadvantaged Londoners.

There is no evidence that Dick Whittington ever kept a cat, and as a son of a wealthy nobleman he was never really poor. But the legend flourished and as early as 1606 a play was produced which has developed over the centuries into one of the best loved Pantomimes - The Story of Dick Whittington and His Cat.

Playing The Part

Playing Pantomime is not a soft option for an actor. It is a bit like walking a tightrope without a safety net!

In a straightforward play the actor has the security of the 'fourth wall' - an invisible wall dividing the actor from the audience who are merely looking in on what is happening on stage. In Pantomime there is no 'fourth wall'. It is the job of the actor to directly engage with the audience and to make them part of the action.

Good Panto actors can make this look simple - but it is not. For any amateur players to put on a Pantomime requires not only interest and a variety of skills but a determination to work through a punishing rehearsal schedule which, for us, began back at the beginning of September.

All the Guild Players team (both on stage and backstage) will be putting their feet up for a well deserved rest over Christmas. However the production process starts all over again in January for our Spring performances. . .

Review

The Archer, East Finchley's community newspaper, printed a review on page 10 of the January 2006 issue.

Turn again, theatre-goers!

by Daphne Chamberlain

"Did you take the family to a pantomime this Christmas? If so, how was your journey? Next year, why not just look behind you: at the Guild Players in Ballards Lane Methodist Church?
When I went to their matinee of Dick Whittington, the hall was packed with enthusiastic children and appreciative adults. "It's real traditional theatre, better than the Cambridge Footlights show", I heard a young man tell his girlfriend. Well, of course it would be. After all, the character called Sam Seaweed said he used to go to Holy Trinity School.
All the panto must-haves were there, from thigh-slapping Principal Boy to inoffensively naughty Dame. There was an interesting programme, too, giving facts about the real Dick Whittington, and explaining the vital factor needed for this kind of show: communication with the audience. The excellent cast certainly had that. They were supported by a lively mini-orchestra, who romped through the Lambeth Walk and several other songs and dances before finding their way to Amarillo.
The Guild Players have been around for 60 years, but the members are all ages. Most are from Finchley, but others are from Archway, Enfield, Muswell Hill, Crouch End and Tottenham, and they don't necessarily have any connection with the Methodist Church. They've had a healthy influx of new members recently, but more are always welcome.
Pantos are for Christmas, but there are other plays throughout the year. Watch out for details of their next production, planned for May."