Jack and the Beanstalk

Director, Karen wanted a traditional Panto and this one certainly hit that brief but at the same time didn’t feel at all dated and had a good mix of songs suitable for all ages. She had previously directed Jack and the Beanstalk back in 2006 and a couple of that cast were on stage again now. However SODS had recently lost a long-standing member, David Lilley who had played Dame Dottie Trott in that earlier production, so this show was also a homage to an inspirational dear friend.

In the opening we meet Fairy Moonbeam (Jess Ellis) looking gorgeous, every bit an enchanted fairy, as she cast her magic on the evil Fleshcreep, who was in real life her husband Johnny Ellis. He was suitably horrible with an amazing costume and soon had the audience booing him appropriately. Callum Limer played Dame Dottie Trot. This was his 4th time of playing Dame and he has been perfecting the art enthusiastically, picking up on all the humour and inuendoes in her asides to the audience.  Her two sons were played by very experienced members with Jo Jones playing the lead of Jack, she is brilliant and very confident in her role, both with her singing and acting.  Billy is the excitable younger brother, a knock-about character played by Joe Marsh. He captured the comedy in his role with perfect timing and had all the children in audience in fits of laughter as everything goes  horribly wrong in the manic dairy slapstick scene. Jess Marsh played Jill  and was the perfect Princess, who along with Jack, gave us a lovely harmonised duet.  

Jon Wray gave his usual experienced and confident performance as King Maurice looking splendid in his regal garb. His trusty rent collector ‘Grabbit’ was played by Rosa Ledden and her charactisation was very comical and much appreciated by the audience. Last, but by no means least was the lovable Daisy. Michelle Holden and Lynda Phillips worked well together and were especially funny in the milking scene as she danced around the stage, kicking over the bucket. Innocent humor that still works well in today’s modern age as it has done for generations previously.  The junior ensemble were made up of two groups and we watched Team Jill with Team Jack performing on alternate performances. They, along with the dancers and adult ensemble gave lively and energetic performances in their group scenes.

The music was in the safe and experienced hands of the MD, David Richardson and he with his three other musicians inspired both the principles and ensemble to deliver a plethora of entertaining songs adding to our enjoyment. The   musicians were on a raised platform above the stage so as not to cramp the performance area, however in my opinion it was slightly detrimental to the overall appearance of the stage and set.  Marie Oakes had choreographed many SODS shows previously and here she had “added a touch of magic bean sparkle” to bring the songs alive.  

The costumes were all well fitting and colourful especially Dame Trot’s numerous outfits. One was even made from fabric with pictures of aeroplanes, which was pertinent to her scene with the hot air ballon. Well done to whoever sourced that! Sound and lighting all worked well to enhance the production.  

This production had been spread over 2 weekends, with lots of matinees plus some extra evenings which had been virtually all sold out. We had attended an evening performance which was thoroughly enjoyed by us and all their appreciative audience. Well done to Karen and her cast and crew, a traditional Pantomime with all of the expected elements included perfectly.  Enjoy the rest of the run. Break a leg!

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