Jack and The Beanstalk

2017 seems to be the year of Jack and the Beanstalk; this was my 3rd in a week, not all for NODA.  Each one had interesting variations on the original story.  In this one, the Giant wants to entice Jack to climb the Beanstalk to the Giant’s Kingdom, as Jack has something the giant wants to steal. In this version the Giant has a wife, two unruly, punk, teenage sons Spike and Baz and a lovely daughter Tiny,

This had all the elements of a traditional Pantomime well painted sets, colourful costumes, a few ‘baddies’, a comic duo, a good fairy, a Dame, a lovely maiden, a dancing cow and a principal boy, although on this occasion a young man played Jack and the right length of running time.

The action is divided between Jack’s village and Gigantico where the giants live. There was colourful start to the show in the village Market Place with the sellers promoting ‘5 a day’. We were then introduced to some of the characters, Iva Bean, who is in the employ of the Giant, Jack Pott, our hero, his mum Flower Pott, and their cow. We then move to the Pott’s garden where we encounter Bill and Ben who work for Flower Pott.  We then move to the kitchen of the Giant’s house where we meet the Giant’s wife and children.

The many excellent sets took us to the various locations, although there were one or two slow scene changes, I think this was due to the script not giving enough time for the change rather than slow stage crew. Costumes were colourful and appropriate, they added to identification and characterisation. Jack had a wonderful ‘Technicolor Bean Coat’. Those of the Minions, Umpakins, Hattie the Forest Fairy and Flower Pott were fun. The lighting was well designed and operated helping to create the right atmosphere to the scenes. Sound effects were well handled especially the ‘giant’s voice’.

The show had been well cast with some entertaining performances from both young and more mature members of the group. Our hero, Jack, gave a confident performance, interacting well with everyone. Flower Pott, was an excellent Dame, always in control, never going too far, and what a talented dancing cow, how anyone could part with her I do not know. Iva Bean, the giant’s henchman, gave a mature performance well beyond his years, as an old time ‘Spiv’, complete with moustache, ‘sharp’ suit and Trilby hat.  The Giant was initially a voice, which, was well done, and when he appeared later he had good presence. The Giant’s wife was lovely, trying to appease her husband and keep her unruly sons in order. Spike and Baz, the giant’s sons, were wonderful ‘punk’ teenagers, their uncouth behaviour providing well timed comedy scenes. Their sister Tiny was a lovely contrast to them and Jack’s ‘love interest’.  Bill and Ben, Flower Potts men, made a good comic duo and worked well together. Hattie the Forest Fairy gave a lovely portrayal of a rather confused fairy who tried to help Jack. Young Jack and Jack’s father were an important part of the story and were confident in their roles.

The singing to backing tracks was mostly good. There was a little hesitation at the beginning of some songs but this often happens with taped music. The music had been well chosen for the show and the opening numbers were good. There were some nice duets and some fun numbers, particularly the ‘Birdy song’ with Bill and Ben and the chicken. The final number was well sung with lots of enthusiasm and smiles. The Pantomime had been well choreographed by Sian Bagnell; I really liked the group of young ‘Minions’ who made the Beanstalk grow, and the older group of ‘Umpakins’. 

Nick Baskerville and Alison Bagnell had worked well with their varied age ranged cast to bring a lively, entertaining, colourful community Pantomime to the highly appreciative.  Well done everyone.

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