Jack & The Beanstalk

I always enjoy watching young people perform and the cast of this pantomime made it a very enjoyable afternoon.  The audience were appreciative and enthusiastic and I am sure that made the cast perform even better.

Jared Bates made a terrific Dame Trot, keeping the show moving and playing this traditional pantomime role with just the right amount of comedy.  Pippa Bates (Woody) has great stage presence in this traditionally supporting role.  Megan Greenwood (Jack Trot) and Melina Angeli (Sally Snatchett) made a lovely pairing and well done to Melina who carried on with the role despite being quite ill.  I would not have known if I hadn’t been told, a true professional attitude.

I must, particularly, commend James Ravenscroft for his performance as the mean and miserly Grippen Snatchett.  I am sure that he has a future in performing; his confidence and performance were outstanding.

Ella Fowler and Sienna Doyle were lovely as Daisy the cow, although I (and I suspect the rest of the audience) would have liked to see their faces for the walkdown.  The remaining principals Tyler Payne (Sidney Banewort) Grant Clark (Bumbledore) Georgia Bennett (Harp) and Isabella Abraham (Golden Hen) all performed well. 

I would, however particularly like to praise the ensemble; many of these young people were onstage for the first time and, although not all of them spoke their lines loudly enough, we were happy to forgive this because they were clearly having a great time.  With a little more experience I am sure we will be seeing some of them in Principal roles before long.

The scenery was excellent, simple but very effective and the costumes were also excellent.  It was a largish cast for this small stage (27, I think!) and it must have been crowded but fun back stage.  The audience were very appreciative and it was lovely to be part of that enthusiasm.  It is lovely to see the group so well supported; long may Young Expressions continue to provide such excellent opportunities for young people to enjoy performing.

I look forward to their next production.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.