Jack & the Beanstalk

Amy Emery’s script Jack and the Beanstalk for St Neots Players certainly had all the elements required of panto.  Good versus evil, a beautiful fairy, a Dame, two silly fellas, two baddies, a hero, a damsel in distress, silly jokes, singing, lots of dancing and skin parts with two - yes two! - cows.

Staging was good and well managed by Rianna Thorpe and her team.  Well done Paul Robbins, Martin Hayward and Steve Shaw on the great scenery, backcloths and the super props. Also the set painters Katrina Topham, Katie Hughes, Charlie Pearce, Emily Pearce and society members. Costumes (Amy Emery, Rianna Thorpe & Steph Townsend) were first-rate: Flesh and Creep particularly.  Lighting and Sound were managed by Dave and Kate Maltby which in the main was fine but there were a few blips with body mics and the overloud music prevented me from forming an opinion on the quality (or otherwise) of the vocal talents. Lighting too had one or two slow cues but overall technically things were fine. 

The eighteen ‘named’ members of the cast all put in a good shift.  Lovely performance from Debi Sheridan as Fairy Mother Nature (loved the elfin ears!) who vanquished the baddies Flesh and Creep.  An excellent performance from Laura K certainly in her element as the evil Flesh matched by Ellie Bounford who showed great physicality as Creep. 

No stranger to appearing on stage in a frock Tony Knox as Dame Trott was, as always,  “Holding Out for a Hero” but rejecting all offers - apart from the reluctant chap in the front row!  Great performances and much fun from the Trott brothers Simon (George Kelly) and Dave (Ian Worsfold) who worked their socks off getting the audience on their side right from the start.  I do take issue with the travesty of the snowball fight though. Dave’s side was definitely the winner!  

Lovely performance from Charlotte Wilgoose as our hero Jack bravely volunteering to confront the Giant and rescue Princess Jill well played by Maggie Hazeldine. A nice confident performance came from Grace Chapman as the Princess’s friend Pansy. First rate support from Mitch Wilson and Kathie Pugh as King and Queen Carrot; Charlotte Irons and Emma Ralls as Daisy Cow and Ted Gothard as the Giant (and Dylan the Cow). Other roles were nicely played by Amy Suffrette, Keeley Randall, Darcie Nixon and Danielle Williams. 

The large Chorus included the Dance Team from Bees Dance Academy. The skill of these young dancers has to be seen to be believed. The varying routines were nothing less than stunning.  They certainly added an extra something to the production.

Overall this was a traditional family pantomime. I went along for a night of frivolous entertainment, and that is exactly what I got as well as a good soaking!  Congratulations to Amy Emery and all involved both on stage and off in producing this fun show.

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