Jack and Beanstalk

Joyous!!!

I need not say anything else. This ‘Jack' was perfect in every way: set, sound, props and costumes to die for. How Ashford do it I do not know - maybe due to Alan Stamp and his wonderful team of helpers and technical assistants.

There were no hiccups in this performance. We start with Fairy Moonshine (Molly Spence) and shine Molly did, keeping as entertained with her presence on stage. The bubbly Jill (Heather Newman) had a great voice, as did Billy Trott (Adam Coleman), a rosy cheeked young man that could do it all: sing and dance, a talent in the making. Adam is coming up in the rankings of panto. Dame Trott (Cassandra Spence): what a force to be reckoned with, she owned the stage at times, sometimes ad libbing along with success…now that is a skill that only dames can do successfully, great job Cassandra.

Having written this panto for Ashford and directed it, Alan then took on the role of Jack Trott - how this man does it I fail to see, but his vision in professionalism never fails. He leads his cast to great heights in panto.

Now to the wicked nasty piece of work that is May Namahna (yes you heard right) - this May (Bobbie-Marie Stamp) has a great voice and stage persona, she will be bad and she is, as May….what a role for Bobbie - well done Bobbie. How rude of Jay (the night I was there in the audience) to call The Family Cow Square head..but the cast took it in their stride and it really did cause some laughs. A difficult part for Sam Griffin playing the Cow.. well done to you.

This Jack had so many technical likeabilities: flashes, flying, even bringing cast on stage lifts - too many to mention.This cast was backed up by a troupe of dancers choregraphed by Bobbie-Marie Stamp and the voices of John Webster as Blunderbore and Neil Redding from Radio Ashford. 

Alan and your team I can't wait to see what your next project is…BUT thank you for this extraordinary piece of panto...as I said a joyous production.

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