Layered But Laboured Adult Pantomime at the Tabard

Alternative take on the genre hit and miss says Susan Stanley-Carroll


Matt Tester, Olivia Jackson and Daniel Wain. Picture: Marc Brenner

January 21, 2024

“Look Behind You ”, by Daniel Wain is a celebration of the 25th anniversary production that was first shown at the Theatre at the Tabard in 1999 - when it received many rave reviews.

The plot concerns a troupe of actors who are presenting Dick Whittington, “in a godforsaken seaside town, somewhere far, far away from the paved gold of old London Town…” I had expected a possibly bawdy take-off of an out of town pantomime I was taken back by the invective of the politics aired by the characters when off stage; as well as the strife between this fictional cast.

Dan Wain’s gloriously charismatic, energetic, yet deeply poignant drag performance holds the show together. His numerous costumes, designed by Lesley Alexander and Juanita Al-Dahhan, bubble with fun and are a contrast to his bitter polemic about lack of funding to the British theatre and other significant issues.

A cast as large as eleven actors is unusual at the Tabard but they appear to have been well bonded into a strong team by the director, Barney Hart Dyke. Several actors need to work on projecting their voices more decisively so that they can be heard at the back of this cosy auditorium.

However, this does not apply to Cait Hart Dyke’s voice as she delivers her lines with aplomb. Olivia Jackson is endearing as Dick’s cat and her body language as a mute animal is spot on! A most convincing cherubic pussy cat.

The ingenious set, designed by Richard Evans and Robert Hellstrand , is innovative and exceptionally flexible. A bright white, ruched shiny satin curtain with red velvet sides was a surprise as we entered the theatre. But there are other surprises connected with the appealing set.


Cait Hart Dyke & Mia Skytte. Picture: Marc Brenner

The script of “Look Behind You” needs a thorough edit: it is too long and lasts for two and half hours. Too often the script rambled loosely round a range of topics and lost my attention. Particularly when it turns into a vicious polemic about political issues - for instance the decline of British theatre. It becomes muddled for anyone anticipating a fun night out away from the depressing news on evening television. If you relish a political rant then this will be your evening.

A friend, her first visit to Theatre at the Tabard, enjoyed much of the show and went along with many of the corny and smutty jokes in the production. Now she is keen to return to see some of the exceptionally exciting productions mentioned in the Theatre at the Tabard’s 2024 programme of events.

The company of Look Behind You. Picture: Marc Brenner
The company of Look Behind You. Picture: Marc Brenner

Overhearing a few random comments from the audience - both during the interval and leaving the studio - I noted that some people were thrilled with this show but others felt it was just not their ‘cup of tea’!

Susan Stanley-Carroll

Look Behind You runs until Saturday 3 February and tickets cost from £15.50 to £25.50. You can book all productions online on the Tabard Theatre web site or call the box office on 020 8995 6035 (leave a message if you can't get through and your call will be returned).

Theatre at the Tabard is at 2 Bath Road, Chiswick (W4 1LW).

 

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