Jack and the Beanstalk

Paul Cohen produces his second pantomime at Peace Community Theatre to raise money to keep the theatre going and the up keep, so other groups in the area have a space to perform.

Back cloths were used and a flat in the shape of a bush Stage Left whence the beanstalk grows. Various props were then brought on and moved and used by the cast, axe mallet, harp, hen and golden egg. A table with various baking items. Stage Manager Elliot Hogben and Props Kath Cheetham. Sound and Lighting added to the show. Lighting Louise Cohen. Sound SFX Compilation Louise Cohen and Operation Lousie Cohen, Keileigh Cohen and Alan Dodd.

Costumes were bright and joyful. The children’s chorus in green and red looked very effective. The characters were appropriately dressed and the dame had the usual hilarious looks with cow pattern dress at the beginning through to finale with light-up headdress - loved the pink marigolds. The finale in red looked great. Costumes by Janet Hardman.

Dance and movement were simple and effective and the children’s chorus co-ordinated by Lousie & Emily Cohen were a delight. Paul Cohen was the choreographer as well as the director. Paul very much went for the traditional pantomime, using the children’s chorus the stage was filled with joy and colour. Using traditional pantomime songs this was very much set family pantomime tradition.

Buttermilk the cow was played by Lewis Cunliffe and Kiersten Keogh and had her moments delivering unusual objects instead of milk. Lindsay Sheppard and Oliver Gaskell playing the dim-witted broker’s men who end up making a mess of everything they touch - true panto style. Ethan Sheppard plays the Majordomo role of Humphrey, managing to get some comedy lines in.m

Adam Manning played Rancid the Rat Catcher - loved his outfit - he reminded me of the Child Catcher (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) - suitably evil. Carl Bottomley played the bumbling King Crumble and Catherine Henderson played Queen Apricot as they tried to outdo each other with throat clearing noises a la Bob Fleming

Carmela Horne was Fairy Sugardust saving the day and talking in rhyme, outwitting Piccalilli the Witch, played by Joanne Burton who I have to say was one of the sexiest panto witches I have ever seen,(Sexy and wicked) clearly relishing the role with great outfit and giving us the song I’m Wicked.

Princess Charlotte played by Paige Burgess worked well with Beth Allcock playing Jack the principal boy, who saves the day and gets his girl - great voice.

Ryan Stanton takes on the role of Dame Dolly Dimple and he made sure he gave everything and got as much out of the script as possible, I was exhausted watching him. His interaction with the audience was natural and funny, never missing a trick. With winks and funny faces, Ryan had great chemistry with Gareth Mabon who played Simple Simon. These two drove the comedy with great gusto - at times we could not catch a breath for laughing - never really knowing if it was rehearsed chaos or not, but that’s panto, folks! The idea of getting two grown men on stage to hold the song sheet was very funny. Thank you so much for the invite, hospitality and laughs on a rainy Friday night in Bolton

Liz Hume-Dawson

District 5 Rep

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