If you’re looking for a Christmas pantomime to attend, this production of Jack and the Beanstalk is one that shouldn’t be missed.
It was everything I wanted out of a show and more. From start to finish, I had a smile on my face and hadn’t laughed that hard in ages.
The classic fairy tale of good ol’ Jack and his magic beans was brought to life in the City Varieties Music Hall, a venue dating back to the late 19th century. The production started with Jack and the love of his life, Jill, set to be married that day. Of course, this was interrupted by the baddie – Fleshcreep, the giant’s evil henchman, who gave the ultimatum to Jack: give him a bag of gold, or he would take Jill to feed to the giant.
We’re then off on Jack’s adventure . The production follows the main storyline of Jack and the Beanstalk, with some comedic twists and rock and roll-style music.
From start to finish, I was captivated. This was my first experience of a panto, and as an American, I wasn’t used to the pantomime style of theatre. Although I had heard several things about pantos over my years of living in the UK, I wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into. This, however, exceeded all my expectations and I will look to make attending a panto a new Christmas tradition.
I was utterly blown away by the sheer talent of the whole cast. Not only were each of the cast members acting on stage, but when their character was off-stage, they also made up the band, which was cleverly set up in the background of the stage. It was impressive to see them going from being in character to then suddenly playing, for example, the saxophone to support the next scene.
The whole cast was fantastic. Jack, played by Harry F Brown, and Jill, played by Lucy Ireland, were impressive singers and brought fun to their characters. I particularly liked Harry’s exaggerated facial expressions which communicated a wide range of emotions, that really sold his character and added to the silliness of the show. Dame Dolly (Jack’s mother), played by Simon Nock, was a real highlight for me. Simon’s comedic timing and presence on stage were mesmerising, and the outrageous costumes helped, too! I felt like Simon was the glue that kept the performance going and added an energy to the room that was a joy to experience.
To me, one of most commendable performances was by Timothy Roberts, who played the giant. Although his role on stage was relatively small compared with others, his voice was outstanding. His vocal range and the way he made it seem so effortless, was truly impressive.
The fun addition to the classic fairytale was Fairy Aubergine, who acted as part narrator to the story and part guide to Jack along the way. It was an entertaining twist and helped keep the plot light and funny, especially when she used her magical leek wand (yes, the vegetable) to make the magical beans grow into the beanstalk. Fairy Aubergine, played by Anna Soden, filled her role perfectly and was a delight to watch on stage.
Overall, the comedic styling was perfect for me. There was a great mix of jokes pitched for young children tied in with slapstick comedy, while also mixing in more innuendo-style jokes for adults. The addition of fun flashing lights, and some on-stage explosive and smoke effects really tied the whole performance together.
The choreography was fun and playful, with classic rock and roll music that made me want to sing along and dance in my seat.
The whole performance lasted around 2 hours and 40 minutes, with a 20-minute interval an hour and a half in. While not a problem for me, I did think younger children might struggle to sit and stay attentive to the show. However, the audience was full of young children, who all seemed to have a great time.
Although this was my first pantomime, the friends I went with had been to several prior. They thought that this was the best panto they had been to, and their 11-year-old son had a fantastic time. Fundamentally, it was an enjoyable experience, that felt light-hearted and silly. You could feel the energy and joy from the cast throughout the performance. I left the theatre in an upbeat spirit and feeling festive. I would not hesitate to recommend the show to anyone, so if you’re looking for a Christmas panto – book your tickets now!
Photography by Ant Robling.
Main image: Simon Nook (Dame Dolly), Harry F Brown (Jack) and Bessie the Cow (as herself).
