Dick Whittington Pantomime

The History of Dick Whittington

The Legend of Dick Whittington and his Cat was first recorded in 1605 and was adapted as a play the same year.

The Story of Dick Whittington

Dick Whittington was a poor orphan. He heard about the great city of London where the streets were paved with gold so he set of to seek his fortune. Once there, of course Dick couldn’t find any streets paved with gold. He was hungry, cold and tired and fell asleep in the doorway of a rich merchant. The nice man took Dick into his house and employed him as a scullery boy. Dick’s room was infested with rats so he bought a cat with his earnings. One day, Dick was asked if he would like to send something to a far off port to trade for gold. Dick reluctantly sent his cat. The cook was cruel to Dick so he decided to run away. As he ran away he heard the bells telling him to return. The cat had been sold for a great fortune and Dick was a rich man. Dick married Alice and became the Lord Mayor of London.

Main Characters in Dick Whittington

• Dick Whittington

was born around 1350 and went to London in 1379.

• Dick Whittington’s Cat

features in the pantomime.

• The Rats

which bring plague to London.