Jack and the Beanstalk

Sodbury players

Jack and the Beanstalk        Chipping Sodbury Town Hall          January 26th 2019

Author and Director: Tina Milton                                     Assisted by: Diana Owen                     

Choreographer: Jade Meachin              MD: Callum Webb

This pantomime, written by Tina Milton and Diana Owen, was action packed with lovely ideas.  As you entered the Theatre you were greeted by a lovely backcloth/gauze with a beanstalk on it and the pantomime title in gold, and above and to the sides of the proscenium arch had been well decorated.  Stage right to half way over had rainbows and flowers all in pastel colours and stage left was green with spiders and spider’s webs.  As the lights dimmed the theme music for Strictly Come Dancing was played, a glitter curtain on a frame was wheeled onto the stage and out came ‘Tess Daly’ to make the ‘housekeeping’ announcements, it got the show off to a good start.  Once again this company had excelled with the sets and backcloths, with picture book colours and lots of glitz.  The first half was all set in around the market town of Wick, the first part of the second half in the land of the Giant and then returning to Wick.  There were some very atmospheric lighting effects particularly in the UV scene when the Beanstalk was growing, and in the land of the Giant.  There was well-cued effective use of follow spots.  There were good sound effects including the voice of the Giant. The sound balance between voices and musicians was good with singers never overpowered.  The show had an abundance of lovely well fitting costumes and together with the make- up brought Pantomime magic to the stage.

The music had been well chosen, with songs the audience enjoyed.  Musical Director, Callum Webb, had good control over his four-piece Band and had obviously worked hard with song coach, Kate Webb and the cast to produce quality singing from both principals and chorus.  Jade Meachin had done well with the choreography and there were interesting routines for the dancers and tap dancing chef, and good movement in the ensemble numbers, with everyone looking confident.  All of the routines captured the interest of the children in the audience. 

The whole cast gave confident performances, both principals and chorus, as the principals need a strong chorus to support them by reacting appropriately. But I must mention one, Simon Carney as Councillor RG, in his orange suit, he has certainly missed his vocation as a Donald Trump impersonator, he must have spent many hours creating the role, he was brilliant.  Interesting and unexpected characters had been written into the script and they worked well adding a great deal of humour

Author and Director Tina Milton assisted by Diane Owen had provided an amusing action packed script, with many interesting touches which all worked well.  The one thing I would say is that in Pantomime the jokes need to be pointed to the audience and this did not always happen.  There were many silly jokes; lovely dance routines; colourful costumes; excellent sets; good music; lots of opportunity for audience participation; all in all a thoroughly entertaining afternoon for everyone.

 

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