Synopsis

King Rat is determined to take over London and become the town’s next Lord Mayor. Fortunately Fairy Liquid has other ideas and tells King Rat that a certain Dick Whittington is destined to be London’s Lord Mayor. 

Dick arrives in London, along with his cat, Tom, looking to make his fortune. He immediately falls on his feet, being taken on as an apprentice to Alderman Fitzwarren, whilst at the same time falling head over heels in love with his daughter, Alice. 

King Rat persuades Idle Jack, Fitzwarren’s other lazy but disgruntled apprentice (who is also in love with Alice) to frame Dick for a crime he didn’t commit to get rid of him. 

When that doesn’t work King Rat, along with his devoted Ratlings takes matters into his own hands and looks to drown Fitzwarren, his family and friends aboard the ‘Armadillo’.  It is left to Dick and Tom to save the day.

This new version of the well-known tale is a traditional and very funny family pantomime that will appeal to everyone of all ages and can be as elaborately or simply staged as local company’s facilities allow.  The playwright has incorporated songs with specially rewritten lyrics to enhance the plot that can be used as appropriate although groups can equally choose their own songs.

Characters

• Alderman Fitzwarren – owner of Fitzwarren Stores (m)
• Alice Fitzwarren – his daughter (f)
• Idle Jack – his lazy apprentice (m)
• Sarah Suet – his cook (Dame) (m)
• Dick Whittington – a simple Gloucestershire soul (Principal Boy) (f)
• Tom Cat – his cat (m/f)
• Captain Goodeness – a sea captain (m)
• Mrs Goodness – his wife (f)
• Midshipman Gracious – a not very able mate (m)
• Mrs Gracious – his wife (f)
• King Rat – a big bad rat (m)
• Fairy Liquid – a good fairy (f)
• Sultan Vinegar – a rich foreign ruler of Morocco (m)
• Sultana of Morrocco – his current wife (f)
• Gorilla – a great big scary ape (m/f)