Jonathan Wilkes says Regent Theatre panto Dick Whittington “is going to be special”

Dec 9 2009 by simon halewood, Crewe Chronicle

“THEY say never act with Johnny Depp because he’ll make you look stupid and above all never sing with Sheila Ferguson. Good job I’m used to looking silly then.”

Stoke’s own son Jonathan Wilkes, starring for the fifth year running in the Regent Theatre’s Christmas pantomime, is in awe of his co-star, the former Three Degrees singer.

The duo top a stellar line-up in this year’s Potteries festive spectacular, Dick Whittington, with Jonathon taking the title role and the When Will I See You Again singing diva as Fairy Oatcakes.

Jonathon says: “She is absolutely sensational and what a voice.

“You know, it’s really heartwarming that our show here in Stoke is doing so well that we don’t go looking for stars, they want to come here. It’s fantastic but we’re not sitting back for one minute.

“I’ve got a great feeling that we’ve taken the show up a notch, even after last year’s brilliant show.

“There is no better way to get into the Christmas spirit and, even though we are still in rehearsals, it looks like it is going to be special.”

Joining Jonathon and Sheila are actress and model Amy Diamond, who is to play Alice Fitzwilliams, West End star Steven Serlin as King Rat, Stoke’s Top Talent 09 winner Su Annagib as the Sultana of Morocco and hilarious Christian Patterson, returning for the third year running, who will don his most shocking outfits to play the wackiest dame in panto-land, Sarah the Cook.

There will also be a special appearance by Pete Conway – aka Robbie Williams’ dad – who will take the role of Mr Fitzwilliams for the first two weeks of the run.

Jonathon says: “Pete’s loving it and it is great to have him here.

“The whole cast is looking amazing and it’s an extremely talented group.

“Dick Whittington isn’t necessarily the most famous panto so we have packed it full of slapstick and jokes and it’s really fast-flowing.

“The secret to any great panto is to keep it local. We don’t mention London at all. The streets of Stoke are paved with gold and characters visit from Crewe and Nantwich.”

After an astonishing run of record-breaking years, having stolen the show in Mother Goose, Aladdin, Cinderella and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Jonathon says he is taking a more creative role in the show.

“It’s a brilliant experience. Obviously, having been here for five years you have to keep the panto fresh and I just love coming up with new jokes and ideas.”

“It is a challenge but it has become a passion of mine. At the end of the day I love making people laugh.”

Dick Whittington runs at the Regent from Thursday until Sunday, January 10. Tickets are priced £14-£23, phone the box office on 0844 871 7649 to book.