Jack and the Beanstalk

The opening number of this fun-filled panto was excellent.  The dancing and singing set the standard for a memorable production.  I wouldn’t say it was the best one I have ever seen, but it certainly rated as one of the best. 

The set looked outstanding when the show started, being built to emphasise all the good points very cleverly leaving plenty of space for movement, but allowing for small sections depicting different scenes. The ramp, replacing the usual flight of steps, from the stage to the ‘auditorium’ worked really well, as the cast managed to act and dance on it very successfully. The costumes all looked very good, the colour combinations being stunning for the finale.  The lighting was well designed, bringing out many different effects for different scenes and the sound was equally good, making sure that every word could be clearly heard. The Orchestra played well and joined in the comedy at intervals. The highlight scenically was the stunning beanstalk, which grew before our eyes with a trunk thick enough to be climbed.  An outstanding idea brilliantly executed.

The cast was too big for me to mention everyone by name, but this society has a great many highly talented performers and I think Pantomime is their forte. Andre Dore was the best Dame I have ever had the privilege to see. He looks, acts and sings the part and you can feel the reaction in the hall as soon as he comes on stage. The very versatile Tracey Shaughnessy was a fairy with a big difference, winning the hearts of the audience coming down in the interval to talk to the children and selling them sweets. She is always a sheer joy to watc,h as is Jack Winrow as Simple Simon, who showed his immense talent when chatting up the spectators getting everyone to join in building the party spirit from the very beginning. I loved Aimee Bullimore as the local drunk who appeared in many of the scenes without ever saying a word and the cow was a sure fire winner, the head in particular being very cleverly played. Its tap routine with the chorus was one of the many highlights of this great show. All the other principals gave totally convincing performances in their various roles and the chorus gave them good support, adding to this highly enjoyable show which was very well directed by Judy Sawyer, her first production.

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