Jack and the Beanstalk

The Marina Theatre had an extensive refurbishment in 2025, and looked stunning, with its large stage and high ceilings. Projected with a Jack and the Beanstalk logo floating in the clouds, and a beanstalk image set against a green lit background all the way up to these ceilings, it was an impressive setting even before the panto had started.

It is a while since I have seen a band in a pit directly in front of the stage, and MD Casey Divall, led the five musicians and sounded wonderful as the overture stuck up. The Players were loving being back at this beautiful venue and were making the most of it with the space that this type of venue affords. The set and props were fabulous, featuring a large beanstalk that collapsed when Jack cut it down, and a huge model face of the giant that not only appeared on stage, but then hovered out menacingly over the front of the audience. With the sad passing of leading member Stephen Wilson in 2025, there was a moving double page montage of Stephen’s work inside the programme, especially in pantomime for over 50 years, and many elements of his brilliant work were evident throughout this production. The set, projections and the wonderful Daisy the Cow were just a small amount of examples of the wonderful legacy that Stephen has left with Lowestoft Players.

As the curtains opened, a kaleidoscope of colour and production full of energy was presented to the audience. Nick Garrod was back as Dame Durden, marking an incredible 47 years continuous involvement with the Players, playing the dame on countless occasions. Co-writing the original script of this panto in 1995 with Stephen Wilson, it was both a funny but also heartwarming performance, his “ballet” with King Crumble (Darryl Peek), getting some of the biggest laughs of the evening.

I liked Emily Simpson’s Fairy Stardust character, showing good vocals as I enjoyed the number with some of the “Team Jumping Beans” for this performance. (Team Jelly Beans being the second set of young ensemble members cast for the panto’s run).

Evil Electra (Lauren Nevill), Chancellor Fleshcreep (Chris Tanton-Willis), and Ragwort (Jamie Collins), made up the baddies of the production. All three were particularly good, Chris’s Fleshcreep being very Dickensian in his character, and impressed doing the full splits towards the end!

I really enjoyed Darryl Peek’s King Crumble, it is not easy to make the paternal Father role your own in a panto, but this was a very warm characterisation with some very well delivered comedy. Claire Clark, as Princess Cherry, lit up the stage with her excellent singing voice and impressive dancing in the big numbers. Kelly Reed’s Silly Billy was full of energy and provided most of the corny jokes.

In the role of Jack, Alexander Bracey was in almost every scene, good singing, dancing and with a well delivered script, Alexander was the pivotal link to make this panto all connect together.

Finally, a special mention to “The Moo Crew,” where Clarissa and Lynda expertly manoeuvred Daisy Cow to bring out some wonderful moments and emotional reactions, especially when she was sent off to be sold.

With a large supporting company and brilliant choreography (Shirley Hurren and Gabrielle Bennett), I had a great time- my congratulations to Director Paula Crisp, and to all at Lowestoft Players.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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