Jack and Beanstalk

It is always a joy to visit St Pauls Drama Group, the commitment and camaraderie in this group is stupendous, and it transmits to the audience.

Jack and the Beanstalk is one of my favourites, and this year I have reviewed 3 in as many months.Gillinghams Jack is up there at the top of them. Once again Dottie (Graham Lord) with fewer costumes this year, plays a dottie dame as his name suggests. Jack and the Princess (Mel Newman and Sam Digby) were aptly cast, Stephanie Healy was excellent as Ratchet  great acting, very menacing laughter, and we hated her!!!!  Kathy Milner keep us in the picture as the Narrator and a fat silly cow Buttercup (Keith Jackson) his facial expression were good but how did he stop talking for that amount of time?!! A lovely Gold Harp played by Tracy Phillips.

The rest of the cast were all word perfect and Irene Gardeners movement was learnt well by all the cast,and were happy and smiling throughout.

Good props once again and costumes by Eleanor Hall and Sue Balneaves were up to their usual excellent standard.Set (Michael Perry) was simple but effective as was the lighting (Robert Elmore).

Derek Elmore assisted by Colin Dyke directed this panto with thought for the small stage and the amount of cast but it never seemed overcrowded,  panto isn't easy as the pace has to be keep tight and these two guys did just that..a very enjoyable evening. Thank you.

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