Jack and the Beanstalk

WBLOS presented a most entertaining traditional version of the Pantomime Jack & The Beanstalk. The script, written by Alan P Frayn blended the well-known tale with more contemporary humour and local references that went down well with the audience and ensuring both young and old could find something to enjoy.  

The quality of direction was good, with the pace throughout well maintained. The staging was fully utilised with all possible entrances and exits used. The beanstalk worked really well, and the giant was great – with some incredible lip-synching! The choreography and musical numbers added another layer of entertainment, and the numbers were all very well thought out to fit with the story. Sound was well cued, though the placement of the speakers and where I was sat meant I didn’t fully get the benefit of the individual microphones. Lighting effects worked well – the strobe effect for the giant speaking was great and the UV section was excellent.

In reviewing the principal performances:

Jack. This was a confident and charismatic performance as the principal boy.

Dotty Dimple. You delivered a fine performance. As the Panto Dame you can always take the level of this part even further, both bigger and brasher!

Simple Simon. You had a tough job and worked so very hard to ensure the audience was on side from early on. Our first night audience were a little tough going, so well done. Though I found the phrase to shout out impossible to remember! I also enjoyed the throw back to my youth with Mallet’s Mallet.

Picalilli. A great villain, you conveyed a good level of menace from the get-go.

Fairy Sugardust. A beautiful, delicate performance, I could see the dancer in you. You have a great voice, just relax a little and let that voice fully come out.

Rancid. Always a confident performer, you made the best of a difficult part and always got the audience booing!

King Crumble & Queen Apricot. A nice relationship was developed by you both in these roles, despite the King’s moaning to anyone who would listen!

Princess Charlotte. A well-controlled performance as the princess that fully had the audience’s sympathies.

Snachet & Scarper. You worked well together as the Giant and Rancid’s bailiffs.

Humphrey. You kept the part going really well and held your own on -stage.

Buster Gut Bucket. Your booming voice kept up the menace of the giant and it was nice to see you on stage as yourself at the end.

Buttermilk The Cow. Loved the commitment to your performance. We knew exactly what you were telling us, even though you only ever said “Moo”, through your actions and use of voice. I loved the incorporation of signing in “The Climb”.

As I have come to expect with WBLOS the sense of community shined. The members of the youth group fully incorporated with everyone working hard together to provide a light-hearted and family-friendly evening of entertainment. Well done everyone.

 

 

 

 

 

PLEASE NOTE:

Any observation made by the reviewer can only be based on what he sees at the performance in question.  The reviewer may have received information in advance of the performance, and it is inevitable that his assessment will be effected by that knowledge.

The N.O.D.A. Representative’s intention is to give an objective critique of the overall production and in particular the performance viewed.  It should be remembered that any review of this nature can only be objective as far as the techniques used during the performance observed.  Any criticisms expressed may not have been valid at other performances, and are only made to encourage higher standards in Amateur Theatre.

It is hoped that the audience’s appreciation of your efforts will have given everyone a lift and encouraged you to greater achievements in the future and that the observations made by the reviewer will prove helpful in improving future productions.

 

 

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