Jack and the Beanstalk

My first panto of the season and what a way to start!   All the characters were there and gave their all in bringing this lovely tale to life - even if Dame Tilly Trott was constantly wondering which panto she was in!  There was a full house with the audience reacting in all the right ways – booing, hissing and applauding all in true panto style.

The genre is always a battle between good and evil and the evil side was very well portrayed by Natalie Dardashti and Dave Williams as Grot and Viler – very scary.  Katharine Drew played Fairy Harricot Vert - a really lovely French Fairy and a true green bean in her glamourous costume!

Then we come to the Trott family headed by Dame Tilly as mentioned above and Peter Coleman played the Dame as somewhat confused but giving us all good fun in her super outfits.  Mike Cotton was a great Simple Simon with his “I was just going to say that!” when somebody else had a good idea!   Principal Boy Jack Trott was played by Alicia Horne with Christine Holford as Principal Girl Jill, (soon to join the family) both of them acting and singing in great style.  Their duets were charming.

Of course, Jack & the Beanstalk involves a cow and Buttercup was a really lovely animal.  Hiding in her skin were Tim Peck and Lauren Hollands making Buttercup very lifelike.

Of course, there had to be the funny pair and Rob Taylor as Leggit and Jo Martin as Grabbit were the tax collectors trying to get money out of the villagers to give to the wicked Giant Blunderbore who was played by Matt Sellens – when he actually appeared at the very end, he just about fitted on the stage!

I loved the character of Lady Lotsadosh (Jill’s mother) played by Diane Harris and together with Roy Langstaffe as the Mayor, Marilyn Chandler as Maisie, Alison Avann as George and Sandra Pink as Jenny they all certainly added to the fun and games as did the ensemble – lovely to have a young ensemble as well.  We were also treated to some excellent dancing by members of the A. B. Stage School Dancers.

Of course, a production like this doesn’t just involve those on stage and it would never happen without the dedicated team working backstage to produce scenery (another excellent set designed by Douglas Morgan and built by Gareth Butland and his team), costumes and all things necessary and all directed by Stage Manager Andy Brooke, as well as all those working on publicity and print and also front of house.

This was definitely an evening to dispel the January blues and congratulations must go to Director Clive Hale, Musical Director Judith Brooke and Choreographer Christine Holford and the whole team for helping January to go out with a bang!

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