Daisy Ann Fletcher is practicing her dance moves to 90s hit No Limit with the Dick Whittington cast when we arrive for a chat. “It’s so much fun,” she says, still out of breath, “I think it is even funnier than last year.”
With the Oxford Playhouse panto opening on Friday (Nov 21), all wrapped up in a 90s vibe, rehearsals are well underway for another epic Christmas, with Daisy as the star of the show.
‘they take the silliness very seriously’
She plays Dot, named Dick as she’s the first in line in the Whittington family. Born and bred in Oxford she works as a market trader at Gloucester Green Market and loves her job and the community there. But after a prophecy, she sets off for London with Fairy Bowbells the cat to take on the Rattagher brothers and save the capital from an army of rats.
Throw in Damian Albran and Barry Garlow, an X Factor style talent show, ventriloquism, a 90s rave, party anthems, puppets galore, slapstick, mops, a pie shop, sweets aplenty, a light wall, salsa, a magical cat and so much more, and you’re in for a treat.
‘Every corner of the 90s has been plundered’
As far as the playlist goes, Oasis, Pet Shop Boys, Steps, PJ and Duncan, Britney, East 17, Take That and the Backstreet Boys are all in there: “Every corner of the 90s has been plundered,” Daisy laughs “and there are so many good tracks to choose from – it’s really, really exciting. Put it this way, they take the silliness very seriously!”
Written and directed by Toby Hulse, Dick Whittington features Liam (Rattagher) who wants to take over London and make it as boring and bland as possible by trying to create the dullest boy band ever through a talent show: “This is about how the rest of the characters try to stop him and make Britannia cool again,” Daisy says.
Travel with them from Gloucester Green Market to London Town aboard a bus – paying homage to the 1997 cult film, Spice World – as you are transported to Oxenford’s Top Pop, where you’ll meet rival pop bands Boy Bland and 4EVA, and hear a playlist of vibrant Britpop bangers.
‘Dick Whittington is absolutely jam-packed, full of really silly physical comedy, slapstick and loads of audience participation’
“Dick Whittington is absolutely jam-packed, full of really silly physical comedy, slapstick and loads of audience participation. We are having so much fun in rehearsals and the cast are so up for it,” Daisy says.
Having experienced theatre for the first time when she was taken to the panto as a child, Daisy understands how important it is to get it right: “I live in Oxford now and the Oxford Playhouse Christmas panto is so well known that it feels really special to be part of that.
So it’s important that we get it right. A good panto has to mean something and have morals, so while the silliness is really important, it’s the story behind it that counts.”
‘I really like Dot. she isn’t perfect but she really cares about people. She has something to say and that’s really powerful’
And what of Daisy’s character? “I really like Dot. Yes she is a reluctant hero, but what I like about her is that she isn’t perfect, she isn’t a princess, but at her core she really cares about people. She has something to say and that’s really powerful. I feel quite protective of her,” she smiles.
“Plus there are so many brilliant personalities in Dick Whittington – the dame is a woman too – Sarah Fitzwarren who is played by stand-up comedian Lucy Frederick, so she’s a pro and knows exactly what she’s doing.
“So don’t miss Dick Whittington because it really is bigger and funnier than ever. It’s non stop hilarity with some really beautiful moments nestled in between. The cast and the sets are really impressive as well so it’s going to be such a spectacle.
‘while the silliness is really important, it’s the story behind it that counts’
“But there are lots of surprises in there too, because it’s a brand new story, with fabulous music and dancing all wrapped up in a 90s theme. It’s going to be brilliant. We can’t wait.”
Dick Whittington runs at Oxford Playhouse from Friday November 21 to Sunday January 4. Book at https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/events/dick-whittington
