Hidden hope from Dick McWhittington
Director appeals for pride and cultural renaissance
City centre shops are closing, Perth is literally sinking into the mud, but a young hero can save the day .... so opens Dick McWhittington, Perth’s Christmas Panto for 2016.
Director Ian Grieve has a twinkle in his eye as he describes how the script came about and how it’s been tailor-made for current times in the Fair City.
“We have Dick, with his heart set on fame and fortune, so he begins by hoping to be the next X Factor discovery.
“Then we have Queen Rat, whose goal is to see Perth’s underground tunnels fill up to make a perfect place for rats.
“Another major character is baddie Stanley Mills, a camel coat-wearing businessman, city councillor, a man with his finger in many pies.”
Writer Alan McHugh had a Dick McWhittington script he’d done for Glasgow, but when he met with Ian in May, they agreed changes were needed to make it perfect for a Perth audience.
“Around that time McEwens shut its doors, then later in the summer, we heard that Watsons of Perth on the High Street was also coming to an end.
“Watsons had been going since
Barrie Hunter plays Senga McScruff and John Winchester, Dick McWhittington, in the festive family favourite before I was born, so all these Perth institutions disappearing were on my mind,” explained actor Ian.
“Coming from Perth, I feel passionate about the place, so I was keen to use the show to address current times and the search for our city’s future success.”
After a long association with the toon, Ian’s no longer Fair Citybased, so being brought in from outside to direct the panto again this year felt refreshing.
The veteran of comedy revue ‘Perth in the Buff ’ has a history of being mercilessly satirical, so here was his chance to stir things up.
“Having distanced myself from the city, I feel a bit like a hired gun and I can offer some input on things generally.
“We need to give people a reason to come to Perth and I think the solution rests on culture. The revamped Perth Theatre is central, culture should be Perth’s identity.
“There’s huge potential in this city, I’m sad to see musical opportunities being cut by the council. I think the road to opportunity is through creativity.
“We have to back up our City of Culture bid. It can’t just be a badge, we need an outfit and to wear it well.
“Yes we need managers, but creative minds will come up with something. Perth needs to feel pride.
“The show gives people from Perth a tag - not something we usually do. You have ‘Weegies from Glasgow, Dundonians of course, but who are we? Well for the panto we’ve coined a new term: locals are ‘Inchies’, they live between the Inches. I hope it catches on!”
Dick McWhittington opens Saturday, December 10 and runs to December 26. Tickets from www.horsecross.co.uk or from the box office on 01738 621031.
* The final winner of our popular panto tickets competition was Irene Cattanach of Aberfeldy
Perth panto director Ian Grieve says the Fair City’s fortunes helped provide the basis of the script who correctly identified the rat was hidden on page 10 of Tuesday’s PA. Congratulations to you and the other winners. Representatives of Horsecross Arts will be in touch with arrangements.
Thanks also to the many, many entries we had for the competition throughout November. We especially enjoyed the colourfully decorated envelopes with entries.