Jack and the Beanstalk

There is always huge anticipation in the theatre when going to a S.V.G. panto, and this year was no exception especially with the amazing sparkly frontcloth that adorned the stage before the panto began.  With musical director Aubrey Sanderson in charge of his highly talented musical ensemble we were off to the usual cracking start. This was a high energy panto which was slick and fast moving. As always scene changes glided efficiently and easily into place and we were never kept waiting for the action.  Set, lighting and sound were excellent and backcloths were highly colourful and in real panto tradition. I loved the blue painted floor, really added to the set.

Jack and the Beanstalk is always a popular story, and this was a really good script and extremely well cast. Hannah Bass as ‘Jack’ and Rebecca Lowe as ‘Princess Primrose’ were very well matched and looked good together. Hannah gave an accomplished performance and Rebecca, in her first principal girl role, was extremely competent and gave a charming performance as the lovely princess. Jonathan Scott, as ‘Simple Simon’, gave his usual vibrant performance. His high energy really makes him perfect for this kind of part. The audience love him and as always he had them eating out of the palm of his hand. He is extremely good at getting the audience to respond to his demands of acknowledging him when he comes on stage, and he gets the very best out of them.  ‘Dame Dotty Dimple’ was played by John Dougall who kept us laughing all night. John is such a great dame and very funny, and I love all the little touches he puts to dressing himself up. He must have been exhausted with all the costume changes, and is to be commended in handling the extraordinary ‘finale’ costume which was wonderful. Marian Pringle, his dresser, is indeed to be congratulated for looking after him so well over the years. ‘Snatchet’ and ‘Scarper’ the comedy duo played by Fiona Dunn and Sharon Young who were a perfect combination, and, with the wealth of experience behind them, they milked these parts to the full, their timing being spot on. ‘Piccalilli’, ‘Fairy Stardust’ and ‘Rancid the Ratman’ played by Sandra Storey, Laura Catterall and Michael Mclean respectively, all gave extremely convincing performances. ‘King Hubert’, played by Keith Fraser, and ‘Queen Hyacinth’, played by Jennifer Greenwood, were regal in costumes and they acted superbly.

Special mention must go to the animated costumes. They were stunning. ‘Buttermilk’ the cow was played by Nancy Steel and Simon Landles were who so slick.  All the little routines they did were spot on as they were so in tune with each other, and the children just loved ‘Buttermilk’.  Susan Whyte handling the giant ‘Buster Gut Bucket’ is to be highly commended. This indeed was a giant and so realistic, the best animation I have seen. The children gasped, as did the adults, when this scene opened. Well done, Susan, you must have been exhausted inside the costume, managing it so effortlessly. Nice little cameo performance from Nicola Hastie as a rat, also Matthew Wood as ‘Humphrey’.  The members of the chorus were well drilled, knew their words and moves, and were obviously enjoying themselves, therefore generating the feel-good factor. In particular one of youngsters was putting his life and soul in the production, namely Cori Learmonth.  What talented little boy he is, and a beautiful dancer.

The audience participation and enthusiasm in becoming involved in this production show just how good the panto was and how much support this society has. I loved the whole spectacle; it was colourful and fast moving and a credit to S.V.G. Well done to everyone who was involved both on stage and backstage for giving us such a wonderful evening of entertainment.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.