NOTHING says Christmas like a good panto and this production of Jack and the Beanstalk certainly got us in the festive spirit - even if it was a miserable Monday evening.
It told the traditional fairytale in a creative, fun way that was suitable for children and adults alike.
The star of the show for me was the giant’s evil henchman, Fleshcreep, played by Marvyn Dickinson.
He got all the kids going and, of course, got booed every time he came on. He was my favourite although it did look like his trousers were slightly too tight!
Linda Nolan, as the Fairy of the Magic Beans, made a spectacular entrance, flying in to introduce the show and was very funny as she kept getting her pantomimes mixed up.
Jack (played by Phil Walker) was a very funny character.
The voice, body language and facial expressions made him the perfect main character.
He had all the best jokes (seeing as he wrote the panto, who can blame him) like: “What do you call a chicken with a piece of lettuce on its eye? A chicken sees-a-salad!”
The Dame Trott was played by Ian Good who was a very good actor.
He kept on picking on one person in the audience - as they always do - and kept on asking for a cheeky peck on the cheek.
The last main character was Jill, Charlotte Dalton. Jill is the girl from the village who comes to live with Jack and Dame Trott when Jack finds out that her family were taken by the giant.
She was a very good singer and could hit all the high notes in songs like Can’t Stop the Feeling by Olly Murs. She over-exaggerated, like any pantomime actor should do, and made the perfect leading lady.
Before the grand finale, Jack came out to do a song with members of the audience which was really funny.
The basic line was ‘smart fellas they felt smart’ but the quicker they said it, the more muddled it became (you try it).
This is a show you can singalong to, get involved in and is fun for everyone. I strongly recommend going, but beware, there is a chance you will get squirted by a water pistol!
Until January 5. Details from 01772 804444.
MEGAN TINNISWOOD
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