Jack and the Bloomin' Big Beanstalk

February half-term? It can only mean panto time for Cheadle Amateur Theatrical Society. Their latest production is Jack and the Blooming Big Beanstalk, set in the lovely village of Little CHAYDUL in the Moors, again penned by Ian Wood.

Great opening dance number Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons classic - 'Oh What A Night', certainly proving the prelude for what was to come.

Caroline Stokes as Jack Sponge, hopelessly head over heels in love with the nasty money grabbing Baron Plenty's daughter Pixie Plenty the lovely voiced and equally besotted Rebekah Snow.

Dame Victoria Sponge, Dan Ede Smith Almost enjoyed the role too much, his ever changing and challenging hair and heels had the audience laughing at his every entrance. Great interaction with the rest of the cast, good delivery of his many double entendres usually curtailed by Jack's intervening hand over his mouth and “we Know”...

You have to have a loathsome baddie it's the law; step forward Mucus, the giant's leading henchman, Zac Bethell looked great and exuded evil confidence and as for pulling off Freddie Mercury singing I Want It All; come on, this is a panto review, I have to get one double entendre in.

Baron Plenty, Jason Greenwood, avariciously greedy, whose gormless henchmen Pushem' and Shovem' Jonathon Turnock and Brandon Stubbs respectively kept him on his toes.

I absolutely loved the ultra-cool Steampunk Fairy OMG Mother, Samantha Hughes-Johnson; great character, presence and voice. Great costume as well.

Director, James Walker emphasises the crucial importance of teamwork especially in bringing a show to the stage, he has a great team of people at CATS, all collectively working hard to achieve the best results. The attention to detail, the well schooled dancers and supporting cast were very effectively used throughout to create that little bit of magic pantomimes need. Great costumes. Lighting and sound were equally impressive. The use of the live band certainly added a game raising feel to the production.

On that note... Musical Director Laura Goodhew led an absolutely cracking ensemble, a very good musically tight band, playing a very eclectic mix of songs and styles with great expression and unlike the late great Eric Morecambe, they played all the right notes in the right order. Excellent song choice.

Daisy the Cow, Paula Bachelor and Alice Foggarty, I loved the Beyonce 'Crazy Right Now' dance sadly over too soon. I must add all of the named roles played their parts well the four Mucoids, Pickit, Lickit, Rollit and Dave, The White Harp, Breanne Chell; Dimitri; The Giant Snotblaster.

Having been grabbed by the Ghosties and Ghoulies many times myself in panto, I must say the spooky/weird/wild/scary forest scene in pantomimes never gets old for me; the sheer exasperation from the audience as they shout “he's behind you” to the disbelieving cast is a pure theatrical joy.

I've said it before and will no doubt say it again, the atmosphere of pantomime is a very traditional British style of stage production; very much against modern trends, completely un-pc but all the better for being so. Long may it live. Go CATS.

 

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