Jack and the Beanstalk

I have had the pleasure of seeing the multi-talented and award-winning Kinver Light Operatic Society (KLOS) perform 3 times now as NODA West Midlands District 8 Rep. The first in 2021 with a very impressive showcase of songs in “All That Jazz”, the brilliant musical “Sister Act” in May 2022 and now KLOS have taken on the spirit of panto land with a wonderful and frivolous Pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk.

What better way to start the Christmas season by going to see a Panto and I was lucky to see their first show of the run and it was a matinee.

At the start of the show, I sensed a slight nervous energy on stage, but once the cast caught that first breath, it shifted effortlessly into a very entertaining performance. The gears went up towards the end of Act One and Act Two felt very slick where the cast fully relaxed. The energy towards the climax of the show was electric. KLOS were very successful in providing an incredibly fun vibe and they won over a sold-out auditorium with some excellent interactions and silliness. This pantomime had all the usual traditional and unforgettable panto routines and you could tell the company of KLOS all worked extremely hard to produce a high-quality level of entertainment. This is a company full of versatility and talent and some of my favourite performers of KLOS took on some interesting roles.

Jack and The Beanstalk was directed by the very talented Phillipa Bishop, not a stranger to KLOS with her valuable experience and background, but this was to be her pantomime directorial debut. Phillipa did such a fantastic job! Phillipa was joined by the uber talented choreographer Sophie Bishop and the extremely experienced Musical Director Nick Jeavons.  Members of the band were great and the music was tight. The lights and sound added to the right feeling of the show and the multimedia aspect of the show was very effective as it combined the live action with the screen action.  When a pre-recorded Jack stopped to wave at the audience whilst climbing the beanstalk, the happy audience of children waved back!

I was also very grateful that the jokes were delivered clearly with good timing and some of the jokes were delivered with an excellent dry, innocent and sarcastic wit. There were LOADS of jokes!

The moments when the cast went off script was of course mandatory and the inclusion of the audience (especially children!) contributed to a massive plus. There were some unique moments as well;  I think you only get the full experience of a King stamping on a faulty pyrotechnic in panto land!  

Jack played by Ricky Houlston-Dowell was the perfect leading man and once again dominated the stage with his excellent vocas. I am a big fan of how Ricky seems to hold the stage. Everything seemed so still towards the end of Act One as he gripped everyone with his solo before he started to climb the Beanstalk. Ricky held the right amount of charm and presence as Jack and moved forward the spirit of the show with warmth and ease.

Jack’s brother, Simple Simon played by the absolutely brilliant Claire Jackson kept the pace and the jokes flying. Claire is a naturally funny performer; she was very experienced with her acting and she perfectly delivered her jokes with cracking timing. There were some jokes that were really terrible they couldn’t help being hilarious.  Claire delivered and smashed each and every joke with conviction and even if she didn’t, it was because she chose not to, whilst she was having fun with the audience. Claire was involved in a lot of the classic and traditional interaction which made this panto character and the overall feel of the show work on many levels. This character needed a strong actor.

Brian Ashmead-Siers who played Dame Dotty Dimple also gave a very entertaining and strong performance. The Dame was also key in ensuring the traditional interaction was well paced with crucial comedy timing and audience interaction. It was first class entertainment from Brian who was perfectly cast.

Georgie Hand played Princess Charlotte and it was a true pleasure to listen to her solo and there was a nice connection as Georgie and Ricky interacted and sung together. 

Amy Danks who played the Good Fairy Sugardust, played her character with a beautiful calming presence and smile, whilst Rebecca Lydon who played the Bad Piccalilli the Witch was a consistently evil with a great “witchy” voice and laugh. I wish Rebecca had more opportunities to sing in this panto. She has a great singing voice. I enjoyed the opener to Act Two however.

Georgia Jackson and Debbie Neale played Snatchet and Scarper, a wonderfully perfect Black Country duo with many silly antics. The high energy performance from these two was panto craziness at its best. Chas James who played Rancid the Ratman was an interesting character. He delivered a very confident and unique mannerism. His walk evolved to be something quite amazing whenever he jittered onto the stage.

Paul Costello who played King Crumble was brilliant as the eccentric Father who had some hints of Monty Python in his acting ability. Lottie Hannah was Queen Apricot who had a nice presence and showed a combination of excellent reactions and responses.

The talented Maddy Hickinbottom played Humphrey with a winning smile, Buttermilk the cow was played by Sandy Allen and Tracey Thompson and finally The Giant, also known as Buster Gutbucket, was an amazing huge puppet played and voiced by Steve Taylor.

Buttermilk The Cow and Buster Gutbucket The Giant were two superb characters and all three actors (or maybe more…for the Giant!?) nearly stole the show.

However, for me, it was each and every member of the ensemble who stole the show today. There were moments where the committed young performers of KLOS totally showed the audience they meant business. The smiles came off the stage and bounced around the venue and there were some strong singers and dancers. A special mention must go to Anna Watkins here.

KLOS have already announced their panto for next Dec 2023, which is Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. But before this show, they will be performing “Priscilla Queen of The Desert” on 9th-13th May 2023.

For tickets enquires go to www.klos.co.uk or email klostickets@gmail.com

Thank you very much for the kind invitation to see Jack and The Beanstalk and the warm welcome I received. I am always very grateful for the hospitality and the opportunities to see KLOS in action. They are a strong and friendly company.

May I take this opportunity to wish the treasurer of the company, Peter Mills, many happy returns who turned 90 years old earlier this year.

Break a leg for the rest of the run. I hope you all have a very lovely Christmas and a happy new year. I wish you all the very best.

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