"Turn Again Whittington." A firm favourite returns to play the role.

A firm favourite in the Regent Theatre's pantomimes is Jonathan Wilkes, who this year is celebrating his 20th year of acting in his first Regent panto. He is leading the cast in the title role and is reunited with Christian Patterson returning after a two year break to play Sarah the Cook, while Kai Owen takes the role of King Rat. 

Pantomime producer Crossroads Pantomimes is responsible for this year's production, which finds Dick Whittington with his cat Tommy on the journey to seek fame and fortune and happiness to become Lord Mayor of Stoke on Trent. On the way he has to outwit the evil King Rat and free the city of rodents.     

The audience participation immediately begins with the appearance of Sarah the Cook, who appears in the usual outrageous costumes designed by Teresa Nalton, with many of the costumes coming straight from the London Palladium. King Rat takes over from Sarah with the usual villainous schemes as the audience responds with boos and hisses whenever he appears, and the usual " oh no it isn't, oh yes it is". 

Gina Murphy introduces herself as The Spirit of Bow Bells, watching over Dick as the production progresses and supporting him in his fight against evil.  

When Jonathan appears as Dick, he is met by excited applause and greets the audience with the Stokie greeting " Ay up me duck" and  starts with a rendition of "Let Me Entertain You" supported by the ensemble. In the first half he quickly forms a bond with his love interest Alice Fitzwarren, played by Samara Casteallo, who works in the Fitzwarren sweet and oatcake shop. 

Their attraction is short lived when Dick is framed for stealing the Lord Mayor's regalia from the sweet shop safe, and he is cast out from the city. Fortunately the error is realised and Dick and Alice are reunited and decide to get rid of the rats by luring them onto the Good Ship Stokie and drowning them at sea, aided by Dick's mother Sarah and Tommy. Following the rats demise, Alice proposes to Dick and in true panto style they marry and live happily ever after.     

Designer Ian Westbrook excels himself with the elaborate sets including a giant rat which moves out towards the audience as the rat ensemble begin taking over the city of Stoke. The songs include well known favourites "Flash, Bang, Wallop" and a skit on Beyonce's "Texas Hold 'Em", and the choreographer Paul Domaine has excelled himself in the sweet shop "dance off" routines, which show off the talents of Marlee Jay, playing Tommy the cat who backflips and somersaults across the stage at every opportunity.  

The production is supported by a live band and clever lighting and special effects. This is the third time Jonathan has played Dick Whittington and the production is fresh and energetic with its slapstick routines, references to the six towns, and has the regular ingredients Stoke audiences know and love. 

The usual groan-worthy jokes are peppered throughout with adult humour. The "pheasant plucker routine" manages to stay on track, but Stoke’s version of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" ends in a madcap water pistol fight and toilet rolls thrown into the audience, making this a welcome return to Stoke which clearly delighted the opening night's audience.  

Dick Whittington is at The Regent Theatre, Hanley until January 5.  For tickets visit atgtickets.com            

Written by Sarah Derry.