Jack and The Beanstalk

Taking a quick look at the centre pages of the nicely presented A5 programme so very noticeable  - the fact this was a real family pantomime, with more than one generation treading the boards to an almost full, masked house, after the nearly two year forced break for us theatre lovers. What we all craved was a good laugh and this was given in ‘beanfuls’.

Despite all the difficulties since September under Jackie’s guidance the cast and crew worked really hard to prepare us for the fight between good and bad and the final demise of Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum clubbing Giant  Buster Gut Bucket. Poor, no I mean really poor Dolly the Dame, mother of hero Jack and silly Simple Simon, is on the bread line and has to sell dear old Buttermilk her milker.  Hoodwinked by a couple of scallywags, Snatchet and Scarper they receive a bagful of beans not gold as hoped! These are turned into magic beans with a little stardust sprinkling help from Heather Woodward as Fairy Sugar Dust. We follow Jack’s adventures to win the hand of King Crumble and Queen Plum’s daughter Princess Charlotte (the perfect apple for a very hungry giant) who on his way defeats Buster Gut Bucket, sidekick Rancid the Ratman and baddie Piccalilli, finds the chicken that lays golden eggs and everyone in Old Windy Bottom Village lives happily ever after.

Colurful floral flats, with a village street backdrop, the Giants castle an impressive huge bean stalk helped along by Miracle Grow I think, was designed and created by Kate Gale and members of the society, with props and there were many gathered by Catherine Whitehead and Ruby Heath.

Royal aide was dithery Humph, namely Clive Moores (doubling as a villager) to the regal scatty King Crumble - Steve Hemsley was paired well by not so scatty Queen Plum  - Lizzie May adding inches to her height, with an enormous wimple shaped pink hair do. Their charming  gentle daughter Charlotte was performed by Laura Gale singing a delightful soft solo and an even stronger duet with her confident hero Jack. Al Richardson looked perfect as DDD both in her dairy and then her bakery – great colourful costumes, excellent make up and wigs working the audience well. Much slap stick for all to enjoy- fast and furious from silly Simple Simon and good partnership from Snatchet and Scarper with the addition and I must mention the trio rendition of ‘Reviewing the Situation’ adding Ollie Pierce as Rancid the Ratman. Some good ad libs too with the dubious pies! The children enjoyed themselves as villagers and creepy crawlies, with helpful hands of Catherine Whitehead  and Dot Smytherman.

With the retirement of piano Bessie, the tracker tapes to well-known songs worked pretty well  but at times lyrics would have benefited from personal mics. The Gales were in charge backstage with changes moving along well considering this was opening night. Ray Hodges and Pauline Ball controlled strange noises and lighting cues. The usual F of H team were most hospitable and welcoming. Jill Haskell and Naomi Berwick were responsible from an array of good costumes, with a most convincing giant. As well as being a frightening baddie Pippa Shepherd headed choreography and music selection. Simple Simon cheerfully led the community sing song, and a few brave young ladies graced the stage and were rewarded with a sweet. Jamie and Summer Shepherd synced  old Buttercup’s movement well. On the book and on the ball was Sheila Gault. Good to get into the Christmas spirit.

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