Jack and the Beanstalk

That’s right, it’s panto time again folks. No, wait - come back! Even if you’re one of the many for whom even the mention of the word ‘pantomime’ strikes fear into the heart (and therefore repels you from the NODA show report as garlic might do a vampire) read on, as this seasonal offering was in fact really quite a good one. The PMCS Panto has a reputation for being an entertainment of quality and the company of panto revellers pulled out all the stops again on this occasion to ensure a good time was had by all. 

The first thing of note as I settled into my seat (notice I didn’t say ‘braced myself’ cynical reader) was the presence of a live band in the pit, which was a refreshing touch as for me, live music and live entertainment are synonymous: the creeping tendency to rely on backing tracks was held at bay here.  A very clean and colourful performance area was revealed as the curtain opened and the fun began!  

Like many a pantomime, ‘Jack and Beanstalk’ has it’s central pair of comic characters at the heart of the jollity and we were blessed here with a tireless pair of funsters in the shape of Ciaran Harkin as Dame Tilly Trott and Azza Simpson playing dozy son, Simple Simon. Both breezed through the show with just the right degree of brassy charm and connected with the younger members of the audience. The rapport between the performers on stage and a panto audience is all important and the whole cast knew how to work the crowd, with strong performances from Ciaran and Azza leading the way.

Chloe Haley did sterling work as heroic Jack, with Katy Mackinson in fine voice, warbling beautifully as Jill. Annie Simpson was a bubbly presence as the Vegetable Fairy, ‘keeping us informed in rhyme / each and every single time’ she appeared and Liam McCann was a particular favourite with the audience as the pint-sized Fleshcreep, keeping everyone entertained with his comically hiss-worthy antics. Delphine Walton brought a touch of class - and some lovely vocals - to the role of Mrs Blunderbore (the Giant’s wife) and the four regular reappearing lead ensemble vocalists also impressed: Eve Coppersthwaite, Eleanor Jolliffe and Pippa Lane, Eliza Bradley-Johnson take a bow. We were also blessed with a very efficient team bringing Giant Blunderbore to life, with Thomas Baines manoeuvring around the stage with some skill and our very own Eddie Regan’s dulcet tones booming out to give a menacing touch of old school charm. Last and definitely not least, completing the main line up was a really rather marvellous Cow, brought to life by a combination of society worthies over the course of the performances. As something of an admirer of panto animals, I never fail to appreciate the effort that goes into bringing bits of cloth and fur to life convincingly and this was one of the very best. The rest of the cast clearly relished every moment on stage and played their part in making the whole enterprise feel glossy and professional.

As always with a panto, any explanation of the plot is completely redundant. The trick to pulling off a good pantomime lies in delivering all the expected and familiar moments and putting a fresh spin on things. PMCS really delivered here, producing a polished and good looking show which left a capacity crowd thoroughly entertained. I have to say that I found Ciaran Harkin’s Tilly Trott a little too ‘Drag’ and not quite enough ‘Dame’ for my taste but there’s no denying that it was a confident performance which the audience really enjoyed. Ironically, I wouldn’t have minded a little more in the way of humour which was a deeper shade of ‘blue’ (those double entendres for mum and dad which sail over the kids’ heads) than we got here but I imagine that’s a sign of the times these days: the ‘easily offended’ brigade don’t half kick up a stink I’ve noticed! 

Costumes, lighting, scenery and props all contributed to a first class overall ‘look’ and along with some very well executed comic moments, sparkling dance routines and lovely music, this was a panto with class. Musical choices were as baffling to me as they always are with a panto (Richards Strauss and Wagner were once more noticeable by their absence) but then that’s because I’m a tedious old bore: the audience really enjoyed the music chosen and joined in with all the antics at every opportunity, which is the mark of a cleverly constructed entertainment of this sort. Liam and Philip must have worked long and hard with their cast to inspire their team to greatness, producing a panto which looked and sounded first rate. 

This was a panto peppered with lovely moments, some great looking set pieces and which was wholesome and entertaining. Musically pin-sharp too, this was another winner from the PMCS panto team. Keep up the good work!

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