JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

This was my 3rd visit to “panto land” in a week – and my 3rd “Jack and The Beanstalk”!

This production, by the talented writer Ash Caton (who brought us last year’s “Peter Pan”) was slick and professional from start to finish.

Jack Squat (Ruby Hendry), and Gaia Quire Punsun-Fyre (Emily Brook) were a dynamic duo, both of them have absolutely stunning singing voices and superb stage presence.  Their musical numbers were delivered with such confidence and expertise.

Benny Hick as Beans was a charming companion to Jack – and I loved their interaction throughout the whole panto.

George Scaife as Fleshcreep was every inch the “baddie” – and he definitely deserved all those boo’s and hisses the night we were there!

His sidekicks Meat (George Harvey) and Duvedge (Katherine Griffiths) delivered their “cringeworthy” jokes with great timing.

Superb supporting roles also came from Bethany Hare as Fairy Cirrus, Adam Gill as Squire Quire Punsun-Fyre, Isobel Tysoe as Mrs Fleshcreep and Sally Clement as Goose – each one had brilliant characterisation.

Particular mention must go to Theresa (the cow)...well done to Alexa Clark and Jasmine Iley for the entertaining moves!  You must have been exhausted by the end of the performance.  Also to Blunderbore the Giant – played by Sam Webster (and the voice of Jack Hanson).  It was incredible to see a thunderous Giant move so easily around the stage – well done for making it look so easy as it must have been tortuous in that costume!

For me, the “star” of the whole panto was Dame Diddly Squat – brilliantly played by Elliot Broadfoot.  From start to finish, the energy of this young man was amazing and he kept the audience in fits of laughter from start to finish.  His musical numbers were superb – and he completely “dazzled” in each costume (I lost count of the number of outfits he wore). 

It was fantastic to see the cast of well over eighty people (ranging from the “tinies” to the “senior dancers”) singing and dancing effortlessly.  The choreography by Megan Crowley was once again brilliant.

The Borlotti Band, under the musical direction of Phil Walsh were excellent – never drowning out the cast in any number.  Sound and special effects were superbly supplied by John Trenouth.

With brilliant costumes from Molly Limpets Theatrical Emporium Ltd, Scala, Bingley Amateurs and Maureen Williams School of Dance, and scenery by Scenic Projects Ltd, the whole effect of this production was spectacular. 

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