THE classic story of Dick Whittington was brought to life with plenty of fresh ideas by St Katharine Stratford Players on April 10.

The Easter panto, penned by Dave Barrat, was a triumph for all involved, and very deserving of the standing ovation it earned.

Who cares if the streets of London aren't really paved with gold ....there was enough sparkle here to light up even the darkest times.

From 'Happy' to 'Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner', the music was sung well and perfectly led by musical director Sonja Groves.

And an array of colourful, captivating costumes and scenery, as lavish as they were innovative, took the audience's breath away.

The comic content was wide and brilliant - it's been a long time since I've heard so many people laugh out loud at the same time.

Swinging from the ridiculous to the sublime, with some really funny one-liners, there were definite nods to those comic legends Morecambe and Wise.

From all the pantos I've seen over the years - and that's a fair number - I can't recall one that I enjoyed more than this knockout version of Dick Whittington.

It's little wonder that the full house clapped and cheered as they did, they just didn't want it to end.

CAST: Dick Whittington - Hannah Mayne; Tiddles - Arron Davies; King Rat - Eddie Davies; Fairy of the Bells - Helen Boyce; Idle Jack - Andrew Lewis; Sarah the cook - Dave Barrat; Alderman Fitzwarren - Geraint Sayers; Alice Fitzwarren - Kathryn Murphy; Jane - Jasmin Khan; Captain Mainmast - Jordan Harries; Bill - James Sheldon; Ben - Viv Barrat; Neptune - Keith Jenkins; Sultan - Stuart Rogers; Jasmine - Tania Shaw; Desert Rose - Finley MacDonald; Desert Orchid - Jasmine John; Chamberlain - David Woodham.

RATS/SPRITES/SEA CREATURES/CHORUS: Casey Davies; Harvey Griffiths; George Venables; Elfin Bevan; Shannon Davies; Caitlyn Arran; Hannah George; Lauren Jenkins; Eleanor Price; Jake George; Catryn Goffin; Megan Gough; Jasmine John; Isaac MacEachern; Finley MacDonald; Beth Oughton.

MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Sonja Groves.