Mountbatten Hampshire-based theatre company, Mountbatten Players, needs YOU to join the cast of its 2024 pantomime, Dick Whittington. Oh yes it does.

If you have what it takes, the pantomime’s key roles of Dick Whittington, Alice Fitzwarren, King Rat and Tommy the Cat, plus the all-important dame — Sarah the Cook — are up for grabs, along with many more parts besides.

A read-through and auditions are planned for the coming weeks. Read on for details…

Leading the show is former nurse and Mountbatten Hampshire trustee, Peter Pitcher, who spent years caring for patients at our Southampton-based hospice.

The writer and director, who is marking 50 years of being involved with pantomime, said: “We strive to keep Mountbatten Players true to the company’s roots and we have raised around £30,000 for the charity over the years.

“A really important part of what we do is supporting the work of Mountbatten.”

Mountbatten Players has previously performed a host of shows, including Rapunzel and Cinderella.

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How can you get involved with the Mountbatten Players' production of Dick Whittington?

• Join a read-through in Mountbatten Hampshire’s education centre on Thursday, 22 August, at 7.30pm. If you cannot make it in person, join by zoom. Whether you are planning to attend in person or via Zoom, email Peter for a link and details, via [email protected]
• Open auditions will be held at Mountbatten Hampshire on Thursday, 29 August, at 7.30pm and also on Saturday, 31 August, between 10am and 4pm. Email Peter ([email protected] ) to let him know you will be attending
• Rehearsals will be held weekly, at Mountbatten Hampshire
• There are back stage roles as well as acting parts available

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Dick Whittington will take to the stage between 9 and 12 January, 2025, at The Point Theatre, Eastleigh.

The Mountbatten Players formed in the early 1990s, debuting with a spoof called Phantom of the Hospice. Pantomime followed and the company's first public show was, in fact, Dick Whittington.

Mountbatten Hampshire supports over 1,500 people in any one day, through services available 24/7, both at its hospice in West End, Southampton and in patients’ homes and communities across parts of Hampshire.