Jack & The Beanstalk

Whitworth Amateur Musical & Dramatic Society climbed to new heights with their joyful and energetic production of Jack in the Beanstalk. Directed by the ever-busy Andy Kelly, with Dan Fielden as Musical Director and Emma Bradburn as Choreographer, this traditional pantomime was a true celebration of community theatre, teamwork, and festive fun.

This production was clearly a labour of love. Andy Kelly not only directed the show but also took on the matriarch role of Dame Trot, while Dan Fielden doubled up as Musical Director and Simple Simon. Their commitment, alongside Emma Bradburn’s lively choreography, created a pantomime packed with laughs, innuendo, dancing, colourful characters, and even an extra-special, delightfully sassy pantomime cow.

The audience were fully on board from the start, responding warmly to every gag, cheer, and call-and-response moment.

The staging and technical elements supported the storytelling beautifully. The stage crew; Ste Brady, Dan Killeen, Terry Banham, Richard Rudman, Connor Hasler-O’Neill, and Karen Mills kept the show running smoothly throughout. Set and props, created by Paul Wynn, Gerald Hinchliffe, Ian Buckley, Andy Kelly, Rhiannon Adey, and Jude Carl, brought the world of the pantomime to life with clarity and charm. Lighting by Gerald Hinchliffe and Connor Hasler-O’Neill worked effectively to highlight key moments, while sound by MASH Audio Visual supported the action with confidence.

Costuming was a nice treat. A large and dedicated team — Eleanor Kelly (wigs), Lynne Emmerson, Linda Chatterjee, Jemma Harden, Collette Pedder, Laura Prime, Gina Wilson, Jenny Kelly, and Jude Carl.

Our leading boy and girl, Lauren Bates and Jenya Robinson, worked well together, bringing warmth and charm to the story as they prepared to outwit the fearsome Giant Blunderbore, played with gusto by Ian Buckley. Their scenes added a sense of romance and heart, grounding the story amid the chaos and

comedy. There were several standout performances throughout the show, each contributing something special to the overall success of the pantomime: Jemma Harden as Trumpet made a huge impact with a role that could easily have been overlooked. Her confident stage presence, expressive facial reactions, and

sharp comedic timing ensured she was a joy to watch in every scene. From dancing tree to staff-wielding town crier - watch your toes - Jemma fully committed to the role and made it her own, proving there really is no such thing as a small part.

Gareth Baddely’s portrayal of King Bertram was consistently strong and well-crafted. From his blustering entrances to his perfectly timed comic reactions, Gareth demonstrated a clear understanding of pantomime style. His ability to command the stage while still allowing space for others to shine brought structure, humour, and plenty of laughs to every scene he appeared in.

Alex Sweetman delivered a confident and engaging performance as Edena the Eco Fairy. Balancing warmth, authority, and humour, her strong vocals and expressive movement made her a standout presence. She was well matched by her villainous counterpart Slime Ball, played by Simon Ibison, whose contrasting energy added depth and fun to their scenes together. Their interactions worked particularly well,

driving the story forward while keeping the tone playful.

A special mention must go to the ensemble, who were truly the backbone of this production. This was directing at its finest as every performer brought individuality to their character while still working cohesively as a group. The ensemble filled the stage with energy, detail, and personality, often adding extra layers of comedy that enhanced the storytelling. The Slimers scene was a particular highlight, with Ben Maguire’s marshmallow moments earning well-deserved laughs. And finally, no production of ‘Jack & The Beanstalk’  would be complete without its cow. Sienna Buckey and Hana Baxendale as Daisy the Cow delivered a performance full of charm and commitment.

Thank you, Whitworth Amateur Musical & Dramatic Society for inviting me to your production. I can’t wait to see what you bring to the stage next!

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