Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk  a pantomime, performed by All Souls Dramatic Club at The Atkinson Theatre, Southport on Thursday 10th January, 2019, celebrating their Diamond Anniversary, 60 years of Amateur Theatre.
Created and written by ever so talented Cliff Gillies, this adaptation had some great twists and turns along the way and a ‘surprising conclusion’ to boot; an excellent pantomime. 
The opening number, the theme song from The Greatest Showman, set the tone for the entire show. It was performed with great enthusiasm...is there a better song to open any show!
‘Jack Trott’ played by Mia Scott sang and danced that opening number with the company. She looked completely at ease throughout and dealt with the rigors of the role. Hayleigh Griffin, played the part of Jill Wasteland, the love of Jack’s life and the Baron’s daughter. Hayleigh’s performance was sound and assured; with a great singing voice, her duet with Jack in Act Two the ‘Love Medley’, was one of the highlights for me. They made a really good Pantomime leading couple.

Chris Seery played the part of ‘Bob Trott’ Jack’s brother, usually played as ‘Simple Simon’. Chris oozed stage presence, comic ability, timing and a good singing voice. Hayley Murray played the part of ‘Harper’ perhaps a real live version of the ‘Harp’ stolen from the Giant’s Castle in the original story?  What can you say about Hayley...presence, energy and a singing voice to kill for!  Whatever the interpretation...these two were perfect for these roles and shaped another ‘love affair’. Well done guys!

Tracy Holmes-Smith and Chris Gerring, ‘Bean and Dunnit’ respectively, played the Baron’s Debt Collectors. Both were well suited to these parts. John Hardiker played the role of ‘Dame Dottie Trott’, Jack’s mother, he played the part well.  Neil Wood played ‘Baron Wasteland’, a cameo role, which he played with great assurance and ability; his speech to Jack about ‘friendship’ toward end of pantomime was delivered with great sentiment and feeling...well done sir!
We also had a trio of ‘Minstrels’  three fabulous lady singers...Jacqui Lewis, Melissa Bennett and Jhanaica Mook who were visible on stage throughout and added so much to all the vocal arrangements...their rendition of ‘Dreamgirls’ was great...well done ladies!

The ‘Fe-Fi-Fo-Fuming’ of the Giant was voiced by Pete Roney. His character was portrayed by visual effect onto a screen at the rear of the stage with great effect. 
But for me, there were three really outstanding performances!
 ‘Daisy the Cow’, everybody’s bovine friend, was played ‘outstandingly well’ by Joanne Wasilew.  I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen a pantomime cow played ‘solo’...but it worked for me!  Joanne was another that just oozed stage presence; her comic timing, her interaction with audience was second to none, and the one liner’s just rolled of the tongue with effortless ease. With a first rate singing voice, this performance was up there with the best - thank you Joanne!
Dr Stanley Von Cliche (the ‘evil one’ or was he just ‘misunderstood’...the ‘twist in the tale to end all twist’s) was played superbly by Ian Lawson.  Characterisation, mannerism’s, timing the lot...oh yes and another with a singing voice to kill for!   Well done sir!

But the ‘crème del la crème’, the outstanding performance for me was Christine Swash who played Dr Stanley Von Cliche’s assistant Igor.  When you talk about great casting.....I can honestly say the casting of Igor was perfect!  Christine was outstanding, her timing, her assurance, her expressions, her visual characterisation and actions were amazing, and her duet with Dr Von Cliche ‘Together Again’ was amazing. Well done Christine....an outstanding performance!
But, you can have as many ‘star performers’ as you want...but without a chorus, an ensemble backing those ‘stars’ up, you don’t have a show.  Congratulations to everyone who stood on that stage! In the programme you talk about friendship, family and togetherness....it was obvious from the first note to the last that you were all working toward the same goal and it showed in the performance.  I never like singling out individuals from the chorus, but if I may break with tradition and just mention probably the youngest, certainly the smallest person on stage – Olivia Halsall.  If anyone optimised what you were all about it was Olivia. She smiled and danced her heart out from start to finish, having the time of her life.. well done everyone .. be proud!
No show is complete without the ‘unseen family’ who work tirelessly behind the scenes! 
So congratulations to Matt Hughes, Production Manager and his team of technical wizards who ensured that the sound, video and lighting added to the overall quality of the performance. If I could be so bold as to offer one small piece of constructive criticism; the really ‘bright intense white lights’ that ‘cascaded’ across the audience on occasions, did cause some members of the audience and me a few problems; perhaps slightly less intense lights could have been used! 
To Andrew Claire your Stage Manager and his team, who ensured that everything flowed smoothly on stage, to Adam Dutch the Band Musical Director and his musician’s, congratulations folk on a job well done!  Last, but certainly not least, to Christine Watkinson and her Wardrobe Team for providing costumes that were apt and which enhanced the overall production.
Finally congratulations to Cliff Gillies, Director and Creative Writer; to Katie Palfey, Choreographer and to Chloe Hughes, for Music and Vocal Arrangements...well done guys, fantastic job!
Congratulations once again to everyone involved. Thank you so much for inviting us, for your hospitality throughout and for making us feel so welcome. Look forward to seeing you all again soon.
 

 

 

 

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