Jack and the Beanstalk

There were so many moments of joy in Dinnington Operatic Society’s (DOS) production of Jack and the Beanstalk that the audience were grinning from start to finish, their smiles reflected back by a wonderfully happy ensemble who were clearly loving living in Old Windy Bottom.  Louise Seldon had directed this talented cast to give a great show and Musical Director Jonathan Wilby ensured that the singing was up to par with some excellently chosen and performed numbers, supported by a great band.

Opening the show with great flourish was a lovely version of ‘Happily Ever After’ featuring Jack, Fairy Sugardust and The Julie Turner Stage Academy.  This routine hit just the right note and set the pace for the rest of the production.  Natasha Ellison was beautifully sweet as Fairy Sugardust, wonderfully juxtaposed to the cackling Picalilli the Witch, played by Kirstie Turnbull, who was outrageously horrid.  Joanne Thornewell secured lots of laughs in the role of Rancid the Ratcatcher and Paul Raymond was also very funny with his Scottish take on Humphrey, the courtier.  There was energetic physical humour from Snatchet and Scarper with Scott Walker and Courtney Smith who found just the right balance of comedy and badness as the brokers men.

Mark Wareing (King Crumble) and Samantha Smedley (Queen Apricot) were simply delightful and came across as a great pairing.  The direction in their speeches to both the villagers and audience was excellent and they timed it to perfection.  Jade Hemming, playing their daughter, Princess Charlotte was a confident principal girl who captured just the right level of royalty crossed with teenage love-at-first-sight angst and a little kickback of rebellion through falling for a poor boy from the village, Jack.   The hero of the piece, Jack, was played by Ruth Lockwood, whose strong vocals and confident moves make her a great principal boy.  Johnny Green as Dame Dotty Dimple certainly knows how to ‘rock a frock’ and his many costume changes add to the originality he brings to the role of Dame.  ‘I’m Too Sexy’ performed by Dotty and the male ensemble was a brilliant introduction and everyone involved really excelled with some clever choreography.  Ashley Booker played Simple Simon, the village idiot, a part he has perfected during his long service with DOS.  His delivery of the hilarious one-liners had the audience in stitches and his management of the audience participation scene was thoroughly professional.

Buttermilk was wonderfully supported by helpers Bobby Miller and Martha Cope – who filled the bucket at just the right moment and Maisie Ellershaw gave some very loud clucking as The Golden Hen.  Emily Askew was perfect for the role of The Golden Harp, including where she was featured in production numbers.    The voice and movement of the giant, Mark Shaw, was enhanced by a very impressive costume which Shaw handled incredibly well.  I’m not a lover of the ‘comedy bench scene’, but this one had me transfixed - It was very well managed by experienced principals, but also with stunning movement by Abigail Beazley as the brilliantly costumed skeleton. 

There was beautiful dancing from both The Julie Turner Stage Academy and from the Society Students and Adults Ensemble.  Choreography was strong throughout particularly the stunning dance with the rainbow light capes –- well done to both Catherine Enos and Jacqui Turner.   The costumes looked fresh and bright, the set was good and the lighting and sound was great – a thoroughly enjoyable evening.  Congratulations to the Performers, Production Team, Backstage Crew, Front of House Team and the Committee on an excellent, fun and upbeat production.  

Jo Sykes, Youth Co-ordinator, NODA North East

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