Paul Merton, as Sarah the Cook, will be joined by his wife and top comedy improviser Suki Webster as Suki the Sweet Maker, musical theatre performer Wendy Mae Brown as Spirit of the Bells and West End star Vivien Parry as Queen Rat, in Richmond Theatre’s Dick Whittington.
Merton will step out from behind his HIGNFY desk to don Panto Dame heels and dress while Dick Whittington seeks fame, fortune and happiness on his way to becoming Lord Mayor.
Can Dick outwit the Evil King Rat and free London from his revolting rodents?
Paul said of his venture into the world of panto: ‘I’m looking forward immensely to appearing as Sarah the Cook. Pantomime is a very traditional form of entertainment, and it’s not often that I get involved in traditional forms of entertainment, because when I started as a comedian in the 1980s I didn’t work with older comedians, it was just a bunch of very young people together. So to be following in the footsteps of many famous comedians who have made playing a pantomime Dame a joy for audiences over the years is something – to be a part of that long line is thrilling for me.’
When asked about his role, he replied, ‘Sarah the Cook is an incredibly beautiful woman. Very, very, very, very beautiful. Quite, quite stunning…’
The role of Panto Dame allows the comedian to improvise, something that Paul has been doing for most of his career. His troupe of improvisors have played Richmond Theatre before so he knows his way around the stage there. But he has other affections for it: ‘There’s something about a really beautifully designed theatre that lifts your spirits as soon as you go in. As soon as you come into somewhere like this, you’re already in a good mood before the show starts.’
Richmond Theatre, The Green, Richmond TW9 1QJ from Saturday 9 December 2023 to Sunday 7 January 2024. Times vary.
Check website for full timetable and for tickets: https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre/
