Jack off the Beanstalk
Information
- Date
- 7th October 2022
- Society
- Bunbury Players
- Venue
- The Bell Hotel, Mildenhall
- Type of Production
- Pantomime
- Director
- Mandy Morrish
- Musical Director
- Will Cahill
- Choreographer
- Chloe Gilbert & Mandy Morrish
- Producer
- Darren Mather
- Written By
- Tom Whalley
Jack off the Beanstalk is an extremely funny alternative to the well-known pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk with the storyline in keeping with the original and still giving plenty of opportunity for audience participation. Tom Whalley’s script is aimed at the older theatre-goer and definitely not for a family audience. With a cast of seven actors and a small Ensemble The Bunbury Players performed in a more intimate venue than their usual base at the Jubilee Centre which was about right for a production like this.
Musical Director Will Cahill’s input added greatly to Mandy Morrish’s direction which was excellent as was the casting. The staging was minimal but props and colourful costumes more than made up for lack of a set. Lighting was just right and the sound effect's impressive and on cue. I did have problems hearing the words of some of the songs though as not all the cast were miked up. The costumes — particularly the splendid human beanstalk — and makeup were all very good. The choreography by Chloe Gilbert and Mandy Morrish was neat and well handled. The action was fast-paced and the cast of actors first-rate.
Amy Cahill was great in the title role of Jack, full of exuberance and her comic timing was laudable. Miss Freda Entry Edward Bye, sporting a new a costume for every entrance, was outrageously funny as Dame Trott and had a great rapport with the audience.
Matt Darkins stood out in more ways than one as the evil character Fleshlight and kept us booing all night. Carrie Parsons was very funny as the giddy and inept Fairy Flick Bean whilst Louise Cywinski provided lots of charm and beauty in the role of Princess Jill. Alisha Darkins produced some skilful silent comedy as Fist the Cow who was sold for a bag of beans and Katie Beckett was mostly heard but little seen as Vagiant, the female giant. Huge compliments must go to the very hard working Ensemble of Chloe Gilbert, Bryony Hewitt and Karen Humphreys joined on occasion by Alisha Darkins. The singing and dancing and many costume changes were skilfully handled.
Well done Bunbury Players on a very funny production which kept the audience thoroughly entertained and laughing throughout the evening. Thank you for inviting me along. It was great fun.
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