Jack and the Beanstalk

Gabrielle had always wanted to write a Panto and this year she had that opportunity  and she also directed  with the assistance of Cat Field.  Magpie are an all-inclusive group and I understand they were inundated by the numbers at the auditions. However and sadly for practical reasons they had to whittle it down to a manageable number of performers. It is important to acknowledge the courage, dedication and determination shown by all the performers, several of whom were stepping onto the stage for the first time.

The performance opened with Fairy Moonbeam, played by Emily Cook, and her mischievous young trainee assistant, Fairy Stardust, portrayed by Leah Palmer. Both brought charm to their roles, with Leah displaying remarkable confidence for her age. Jacob Oliver starred as the determined Jack, while Caterina Lucock played Princess Peggy, imbuing the character with warmth and compassion. Together, they formed a delightful pairing and delivered strong, confident songs. Ash Hawes took on the role of Dame Dolly, bringing the character to life with great energy, and was joined by Oscar Willis as Billy. Their corny jokes and comic timing kept the audience entertained throughout. Other notable performances included Lillia Hammond as Rose, who gave an endearing portrayal and sang beautifully, and Lilith Birchall as Satsuma, the little cow, who was equally charming  in her role.

Further characters included King Charles (Zoe-May Marjoram) and Queen Camilla (Jake Turner), with both actors making it clear their portrayals bore no resemblance to the present monarchs. The Giant’s two evil henchmen, Stinker (Stacey Page) and Scoundrel (Greg Palmer), brought a sense of menace, while Flossie Booker’s portrayal of Nancy the cook was especially memorable. These characters were supported by a company of soldiers and ensemble members, all of whom contributed to the vibrancy of the production.

The choreography, led by Leah Burn, was visually appealing and attractively performed with enthusiasm by her and four other dancers. A particularly creative touch was two performers dressed as  tumbleweeds rolling across the stage in the western themed song. The selection of musical numbers was well-suited to the story, with the cast performing each piece energetically and with clear enjoyment.

This venue is an excellent spacious studio with an amazing array of lights and technical effects which along with lots of colourful costumes added well to the overall production. Good acoustics also enhanced the singing.

Congratulations to all the cast and crew on delivering a thoroughly entertaining evening. Their hard work and commitment shone through, and I wish them every success for the remainder of their performances. Magpie Performers are a non-profit organization relying heavily on their supportive audiences and it was good to see the collection buckets being filled with generous donations.

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