Jack and the Beanstalk

Kington & District's "Jack and the Beanstalk" pantomime enchanted audiences with its humour, adventure, and magic. The production boasted beloved characters like brave heroes, a flamboyant Dame, a beautiful princess, villainous sidekicks, and a not-so-tall giant. Adding a modern twist, an eco-friendly fairy also joined the cast. Overall, it was a delightful evening of family entertainment, offering imaginative storytelling.

The show featured lively musical numbers, cleverly edited lyrics, and stunning costumes, complemented by an impressive set, including a towering beanstalk reaching high into the rafters. What made this production particularly enjoyable was the involvement of the younger members of the group, who took on lead roles with great enthusiasm and flair.

Karen Spooner excelled in her portrayal of Edena the Eco Fairy, demonstrating exceptional stage presence and clear diction throughout. Her contribution to the beanstalk scene, featuring the upbeat "It’s Getting Better" and a unique rendition of "Climb Every Mountain" where "Mountain" was cleverly substituted for "Beanstalk," was particularly enjoyable.

Sky Richardson and Abigail Hollinghurst delivered charming performances as Jack Trot and Princess Demelza. The "Getting to Know You" routine stood out, with Jackie Turner bringing comedic flair to her role as the King's trusted spy, Trumpet. In this particularly amusing sequence, Jackie disguised as a tree was instructed by the King to keep an eye on the young Princess, this resulted in Jack and the Princess unwittingly dancing around her, much to the audience's amusement. In a later scene, when the Princess is held captive by the giant Abigail's deadpan delivery of "Locked Away" (to the tune of The Beatles song Yesterday), had the audience in stitches.

Hiram Squire took on the role of the villainous Slimeball. Throughout the show, Hiram's confidence visibly increased, culminating in a standout performance of "It's A Sin" in the second half, perfectly suited to his vocal style. The younger ensemble of rats provided excellent support, with Lexi Harris delivering a particularly notable performance as Sarge. The rat chase sequence injected great fun into the production and provided an opportunity for the younger members to shine.

Jess Squire took on the role of Giant Blunderbore, impressively using her voice to portray a formidable giant in the earlier scenes. However, the humour peaked when her true, smaller stature was revealed, adding a delightful touch of irony to her performance. Her delivery was consistently good, but one standout moment was her comical rendition of "The Look of Love," as she attempted to serenade an unimpressed princess.

Jim Smith's portrayal of King Bertram was commanding, with strong stage presence. His interactions with Trumpet and Demelza were an enjoyable watch, and his childlike tantrums when addressed as ‘Daddy’ by Demelza added much humour to his scenes.

Janet Boydell and Maggie Maynard as Daisy the Cow, deserve a special mention for their excellent performance. They injected humour into every scene they were involved in. The milking scene was particularly memorable and stood out as a highlight of their performance.

Dilys Hollinghurst as Simple Simon was a delight, she interacted with the audience well and we enjoyed shouting out “Be Brave Simon.” She became a much-loved character of the story and brought lots of energy to the role. A standout performance complemented by her great facial expressions and strong characterisation.

David Francis as Dame Trot delivered an outstanding performance, his stage presence could easily rival that of Dame Edna Everage! His flamboyant costumes, sharp wit, impeccable comedic timing, and musicality helped mould this larger-than-life character. Standout moments included the milking and decorating scene, as well as his spirited rendition of "There is Nothing Like a Dame" with cleverly crafted lyrics. The ghost scene featuring "I Whistle a Happy Tune" added to the memorable highlights of the show. A natural entertainer!

Overall, the performance was most enjoyable and effectively displayed the talents of both younger and more experienced members of the group. The evening was filled with fun and excitement, with high-energy musical numbers from the leads and a well-rehearsed ensemble. Highlights included the engaging opening number and the uplifting finale, while "Watch Me Dance" had the audience tapping their toes. Congratulations to Lynne Owens for her skilled direction, as well as Musical Director Lorna Firth and Accompanist Kath Ainsworth for their seamless integration of music into the scenes. My thanks go to Frank and all the front of house team for their warm hospitality throughout my visit. The performance truly embodied everything one could want from a community pantomime. Congratulations to all involved!

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.