Jack and the Beanstalk

Andy Williams informed us about sixty years ago that Christmas was the “Most Wonderful Time of the Year”. Maybe not for everybody, but the Christmas season certainly brings with it the promise of laughter and enjoyment through the acting community with its wealth of pantomimes. Durrington Theatrical Society’s production this year was the excellent choice of “Jack and the Beanstalk” and they attained yet again their high standard of singing, choreography, acting and comedy.

A large ensemble of about twenty brought the singing to a high quality in a good number of well-known songs. The choreography combined with these chorus items were beautifully executed. The seven dancers who were on and off the stage many times during the evening had lots to do, did it well, and were very pleasing to watch. The acting and comedy were rife throughout and were both a high standard.

The title character, Jack, was played impeccably by Grace Brandon and Princess Demelza by Izzie Stedman-Taylor. The two of them worked and sang together with great ease. The one we love to hate, Slimeball (Peter Woodman) was enacted menacingly, although of course outwitted eventually by the lovely Edena, the Eco Fairy (Simone Inglis). Slimeball’s mentor was the Giant Blunderbore (Robin Ferguson), who appeared much in act two in the mistaken hope of marrying the Princess but with no chance of success despite his five cockroaches attempting to assist him.  

Providing much comedy throughout were Dame Trot (Mark Barnes), Simple Simon (Jack Winrow) and Trumpet (Aimee Bullimore) . The Dame resplendent with garish and outlandish costumes caused us great laughter and Simple Simon also did a great job of reacting with the audience and keeping the action moving at the right pace. Trumpet was more physical comedy than verbal and we enjoyed some wonderful moments with her dressed as a tree and stalking the Princess on the orders of her father, King Bertram (John Stovold).

The part (or two parts) of the cow - in this case, Daisy - can be quite difficult to manoevre around a stage but Ellie Leaver and Bethany Paternoster made this look easy.

The three musicians made a brilliant sound. The scenery was bright and cheerful. The sound and lighting effects executed with precision.

I was treated to an excellent evening’s entertainment and I would like to congratulate all involved on stage, back stage, the technical and production crew on a first class production.

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