Jack and the Beanstalk

There is nothing quite like a family pantomime, and once again The Sinodun Players demonstrated why this is such an enduring and popular art form.  The production had something for everyone from the seniors like me to the enthusiastic pack of brownies at the front of the stalls, while the script provided a steady stream of groan-aloud puns and wordplay suitable for all ages.

The pantomime was a visual delight, with the colourful settings boldly realised in the style of illustrated children’s books, and beautifully painted front cloths artfully concertinaed into the limited space above the stage.  The bright and cheerful look was enhanced by the decision to have a pale floor, and by the quality of the lighting design – the effects for the dancing spirits were particularly good.  The sound design, featuring lots of up-tempo songs, kept the atmosphere buzzing before, during and after the show.

The costumes contributed hugely both to the characterisation and the spectacle; the Dame’s wardrobe was a constant delight (I particularly liked the decorative use of mini milk bottles, and her hat in the bakery scene), and the other principals’ costumes consistently matched the characterisations while maintaining a unified look in keeping with the overall design.  The costumes were complemented by excellent makeup and an eclectic collection of properties, the highlight being Simon’s rabbit hat with the moving ears – tremendous fun!

Above all, this was one of those productions in which the whole added up to a great deal more than the sum of its parts, and credit for this must go to the creative team.  “Jack and the Beanstalk” was a traditional pantomime for every generation, and if it flagged slightly in the second half, this was because it lost the drive of the narrative thread rather than any shortcomings in direction.  Staging a show like this involves dozens of volunteers giving freely of their time and talents, and while the highly capable cast catch the eye and take the plaudits, this is a highly impressive achievement by the whole local community.

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