They’re back! Oh, yes they are! Joy Productions and Broadway Theatre, the award-winning producers of Sleeping Beauty, winner of the 2025 Off-West End Awards’ Best Production, return to Lewisham’s art deco theatre to present Dick Whittington and his Catford Cat, their third consecutive festive family panto at the venue.
Packed full of joyful characters, slapstick humour, popular show tunes and dazzling dance routines from lindy hop to hip hop, Dick Whittington and his Catford Cat will run from 9-31 December transforming the classic folk tale of London’s most famous mayor into an elaborate musical pantomime extravaganza inspired by the Windrush Generation and marking 77 years since the HMT Empire Windrush arrived with its very first passengers.
Written by Susie McKenna, winner of Best Director at the 2020 British Pantomime Awards, and directed by Peter Rowe, this December at the Broadway Theatre it’s time to ‘fur-get everything you thought you knew about Dick Whittington as our hero and his feline friend set sail on the Empire Windrush, whisk(er)ing away to seek their fortune on London’s streets of gold’.
Mckenna, who wrote the pantomime as a tribute to her wife Sharon D Clarke’s parents, Viola and Vincent Clarke, has revamped the storyline, adding a local twist which transports Dick and his faithful cat from Jamaica to seek his fortune on the streets of Catford. She says, “This panto is a love letter to the Windrush Generation and to everyone who has contributed to create this vibrant and multicultural country we live in today. I hope audiences in Lewisham and beyond will experience laughter and connection, all the while spreading the message of joy and unity at this important time of the year.”
This seven strong principle cast sees Justin Brett returning to serve up plenty of flamboyant sass as larger-than-life panto dame Sarah The Cook alongside Lewisham-based West End talent Durone Stokes, who this year stars as Dick Whittington, Wayne Rollins as Fairy Bowbells, Natasha Lewis as Queen Rat, Ben Fox as Alderman Fitzwarren, and newcomer Fergie Fraser as Alice Fitzwarren.
Joy Productions’ producer Julie Clare promises, “This truly is a revolutionary take on a classic tale. Dick Whittington and his Catford Cat embodies a journey of hope and opportunity and pays homage to the enduring legacy of the Windrush community which continues to shape British culture and identity today. I hope this story will resonate deeply with audiences, breathing new relevance into this popular folk tale.“
Cllr Sakina Sheikh, Cabinet Member for Culture, Communities and Sports, adds, “We are super excited to partner with Joy Productions for a third year. This fresh take on Dick Whittington and his Catford Cat is a fantastic celebration of our borough. Blending a local landmark with a classic tale of courage, while also paying tribute to the Windrush generation will really resonate with our communities. Panto brings people together and there’s nothing quite like experiencing it at our iconic Broadway Theatre.”
With set design by Glitter Pantomimes’ Olivier Award winning designer Mark Walters, costumes by Lotte Collett and sound design by Tony Gayle, the production’s musical director and composer is Ben Goddard-Young. Choreography is by Tarik Frimpong and lighting design by Mike Robertson.
Tickets here.
