Jack and the Beanstalk

‘Fe Fi Fo Fum’... when you hear those words, you just know what’s to come!  In this version, written by Wigan Little Theatre’s very own Bill Collins, we followed a ‘traditional’ storyline with just one of two little twists along the way. The programme notes say that ‘Bill’ knows exactly how to get children from 3 to 93 to believe and believing is all that matters!  As in all the best pantomimes there was a major gender mix-up, well and truly borne out when Bill himself first arrives on stage as ‘The Gypsy’ – unbelievable – in a good way, but we’ll come to that later!

Cath Finch (Director) did an amazing job with this production as did Mark Lloyd (Musical Director) and Louise Hawkes (Choreographer) once again arranging dance and movement that suited the abilities of the entire cast ensuring we saw the best from everyone!

With such an array of talent on show it is hard to start mentioning names without possibly doing injustice to others, but, as always, I am prepared to ‘stick my neck out’ and make mention of ‘MY’ personal favourites but I’m sure if you ask anyone else who was in the audience that night they may well come up with a totally different list...but here goes...

Where to start.... I think there’s probably only one place or should I say one person to start with and that has to be ‘Dame Daphne Trott’ played expertly by John Churnside. What can you say about John – stage presence aplenty, confident, outrageous, hilarious (no totally bonkers) ... he had the audience with him from his first entrance to the finale! Health and Safety not in his vocabulary!  As a fellow ‘Dame’ for the past twenty-four consecutive years – I salute you John on a job well done!

‘Jack Trott’ and ‘Princess Melissa’ were played well by Hannah Ward-Jones and Lauren Brown respectively. Both ladies were confident as individuals and worked really well together. Both were confident with good stage presence - they looked totally comfortable in their respective roles and both are blessed with good singing voices which they used well in their renditions of ‘Wait till You See What’s Next’ and ‘I think I Want to Marry You’  - be proud ladies, be proud!

David Hill was perfectly cast in the role of ‘Silly Billy’- a role that he well and truly made his own!  Again, good stage presence, great comic timing with some great facial expressions which I loved.  David was never out of character even when not front and centre… worked the audience very well, with some great banter …… well done sir!

Tracy Dawson was another perfectly cast as ‘The Good Fairy’. Confident with great diction, which is important in this role.... and another blessed with a beautiful singing voice, her rendition of ‘Dare to Dream’ was a ‘highlight’ from the panto for me... congrats Tracy!  From ‘goodie to baddie’.... Peter Hall made a great ‘Giant’s Henchman’ ... good stage presence, thrived on the ‘boos and the hisses’ from the audience... well done sir!  

Joey Wiswell and Chris Roberts played the Comedy Duo – ‘Sergeant Shott’ and ‘Private Pott’ very well. Individually good... together... great!  Their chemistry and humour was infectious; stage presence aplenty, great comedic timing; they just made these roles their own.... well done you two! ‘King Septimus’ and ‘Queen Ammonia’ were played really well by David Hill and Mark Lloyd and who could forget ‘Buttercup the Cow’ created and performed ever so well by Alicia Scally and Jenny Hampson.

Last and certainly not least... ‘Gypsy’ played by or ‘writer’ Bill Collins. Words fail me!  On top of his game, hilarious, genius, both as a writer and an actor; the chemistry between Bill and John Churnside was unbelievable ... thank you for a superbly written panto... well done sir!

Making up the cast/chorus were Harry Finch as Giant Blunderbore (Fabulous Costume), Sarah Collinge, Emily Scrutton, Libby Butterworth and Chance Heyes as our chorus and Josie Butler, George Butler, Olivia Carroll, Ttaya Powell, Ruby Farrall, Lyla Brown, Scarlett Stockwell, Rose Higham-Smith, Scarlett Gowland, Niamh Lenaghan, Eleanor Hibbert, Louise Travis and Charlotte Travis as our junior dancers.  Well done to each and all.

Thanks guys for an amazing production... but can I just mention what I felt was the ‘Show Stopping’ moment/scene for me in the show.... without doubt it had to be the ‘Synchronized Swimming Scene’...it was fabulous and ‘rightly so’ - brought the house down!  I can only presume Louise Hawkes choreographed this scene... it was done to perfection... congrats to John Churnside, David Hill, Joey Wiswell, Chris Roberts, Peter Jones and Mark Lloyd... amazing, a hilarious routine, performed, as I say, to perfection!

The Staging / Set / Props enhanced the overall production and was well handled by Paul Dawson / Shelia Cleary (Stage Managers) and their teams of painters, constructors and their ‘pushers and pullers’ – congratulations to all involved. Sound and Lighting was, as always, first class.

Costumes also enhanced the production; they were well designed and were apt for the period and performance... congrats to Stacy Vernon.

Thank you so much for the invitation... thanks for a wonderful evening... hope to see you all again soon!

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