Jack and the Benastalk

I love going to Blackmore’s panto, the enthusiasm from both cast and audience is always a joy to experience.  This production was well performed, beautifully staged with excellent costumes.  I have never been backstage at this venue but I can imagine that it isn’t very spacious so the cast always do well to get on and off stage with props etc, without any difficulties.

I loved the three fairies, truly traditional in look and performance, Barbara Harrold (Edena the Eco Fairy) Tracey Slade (Flo the Flower Fairy) and Linda Cearns (Cornelia the Veggie Fairy) kept the show moving at a good pace.  James Hughes (Slimeball) was terrific, a great panto villain who had a great relationship with the audience, perfect panto ‘stuff’.  I particularly liked his two henchmen, Liam Bull (Grunge) and Ryan Stevens (Grouch).  Two excellent character performers, I am sure that they both have a good performing future ahead of them.

Amy Pudney was good as Jack Trott, a strong character and a perfect balance to Sarah Tyler’s portrayal as Princess Demelza.  Steve Drinkall (Flunkit) and Martin Herford (King Bertram) made a good double act with plenty of interaction.  Keith Goody made an impressive Dame Trott, he has the height to make the character look good and his costumes were excellent.  His dialogue was a little tentative, as was his singing, in the first half; but he settled into the second half well.

Well done to Rebecca Smith (Daisy) the cow is a pivotal part of the story and it was nice to see her face!  Craig Stevens was great as Simple Simon, with plenty of silliness which is exactly what you want to see from this character.  It was also good to see a giant, played by Alf Curry.  Too often this is a voice only character so well done to the wardrobe team for making him look big and tall.

I did feel that some of the panto specific gags were just put in for the sake of it (the ghost particularly) it is important for these to be part of the show but they do need to look as though they are integral to the plot. Now I must mention the lambs!   Puppets have become a bit of a theme for this society’s panto and a good thing too!  These were knitted by Anne Gillespie and ‘worked’ by un-named members of the cast and crew.  They added a lovely touch to the production, making it a bit different.  Last, but not least, the ensemble, small but perfectly formed, they were on stage a lot and performed with enthusiasm and energy, well done.

I have mentioned the costumes, which were excellent (as usual for this company) The scenery was simple but effective and the beanstalk worked fine (always the tricky bit of doing this title!)

MD Shirley Parrott and her small band provided excellent accompaniment, always supportive and unobtrusive, but key to the production.

Another lovely evening’s entertainment, thank you Blackmore Players.

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