Alan Frayn's Jack & The Beanstalk

A familiar tale set in ‘Windy Bottom’, with a little tweak here and there, a gentleman as the good fairy, namely Malcolm Atfield, wonderful and a cuddly lady Dame, newcomer Bea Dixon. Opened by Margaret Punter she presented, together with her sparkling broomstick the witch Piccalilli to boo at. How to pay the taxes? Perhaps sell the milk cow to satisfy the tormenting giant’s needs, two very nasties and a little rat (Imogen Vernon Gill), a couple of bungling debt collectors, an anxious king and queen with a beautiful princess, a poor Dame with one sensible son Jack who falls for the princess, second son Simon brightly played by Imogen Beale conned by a bag of beans, a golden egg, the trusty villagers,  and a happy every after ending.  A sprinkling of fairy dust into the mix for a recipe of fun and laughter too, good musical arrangements, plus audience singalong.  The players and crew worked hard together without a SM, which was commendable. The enthusiastic audience really got into the spirit of things despite sometimes forgetting their lines!

 I’ve never sat in a front row before so was I suspicious? Just a little because I have been sprayed by a water pistol, but never had a self-introduction to an inflatable black and white cow called ‘Buttermilk’ shake my hand in the hopes she might get a good NODA review!!!!  Fleur Sayers, I think you captured us all with your wonderful facial expressions and your natural comedic antics. Scarper and Snatchet - Richard Baszczak and partner in crime Jenny Taylor created more colourful mayhem.

Margaret Smart played keyboard, tucked at one side of the stage. Very nice musical arrangements well executed with some fine solos particularly from Lewis Ikin as lovable hero Jack, Courtney Markham gentle Princess Charlotte and Gary Pope a strong, dastardly, superbly turned out Rancid, good duets and trios plus supportive chorus pieces. 

With limited stage space, the sets designed and constructed worked well, with stalwarts Malcolm Atfield, Maureen Payne and Margaret Smart in charge.  The Beanstalk itself was magnificent, rose beautifully displaying twinkling lights as well as it’s greenery. We saw the village of Windy Bottom. Dotty Dimple’s Dairy, the fair, the bakery for some fun slapstick, and we visited the Giant’s castle with a creepy corridor. Some excellent props were created and the costumes first class from the three wardrobe ladies, from the black sinister to an all-white sparkle, comedic contrasts and I rather liked the tweed attire for Dave Bourne as the frightfully, frightfully King together with turned-up moustache and regally paired by Rona Morton, his Queen, supported by Lyn Ford as Humphrey, smartly attired who had some ‘fanfare’ timing moments which she handled with aplomb. Make-up was particularly well done and effective.

Last seen as Widow Twanky, Brian Drayson has turned to directing. With plenty of audience participation, good space use with easy movement, ideal music, plus a bit of baking, plenty of evil, laughter with some awful jokes, he succeeded in the creation of most enjoyable entertainment.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.