Jack And The Beanstalk

Review by Hugh Cawley

A panto’s success of course relies to a huge degree on the interaction between cast and audience, especially so given the intimacy of the Pateley stage. The cast of this production, most particularly in the characters of Squire Root, Jack, Mother Betty and the Fairy, variously charm, engage and infuriate the audience. The terrible jokes proliferate - many are indeed funny - and Peter Buller (Mother Betty) plays the crowd, as ever, with real aplomb. Squire Root (Jerry Harvey) is fully deserving of all the boos his character’s meanness elicits and the Fairy (Jo Jefferson) is a reassuring, kind, but by no means insipid, presence - her motives are not entirely pure, it seems… Pinter it isn’t, of course - not nearly enough pauses - but, go with it, and a good, healthy and care-busting laugh of a show is there for the taking. The sets are simply excellent, thanks to Justin Enthoven, his gang and Helen Voisey’s superb interpretations - the village, the giant’s kitchen and so on are artworks in themselves but more importantly they provide the convincing backdrop to support and enhance the story. The lighting and sound effects were largely invisible - much to that team’s credit - although the earthy humour of some of the sounds added an essential enhancement to the giant’s invisible, but often-present, character. One might wonder how his wife (Keith Burton) puts up with him, but then “she”, all make-up and flounce, is fairly formidable herself… The costumes were a real triumph, with that extraordinary attention to detail that has come to characterise all PBDS productions. Everyone, from the main characters to the endearingly feeble guards, was perfectly attired, leaving no one in any doubt as to what or who they were. Most obviously, even without that most convincing “moo-ooh” from Joyce Liggins, was the cow costume - eschewing the two-person version, the tour-de-force that was Daisy was beautifully conceived and executed. Bravo, Ruth Dodsworth “and helpers”. Peter Buller’s direction was sure-footed; taking on so many children and relatively inexperienced actors at the same time takes real nerve - it was a delight to see so many younger actors on the stage. Jill (Emma White) has a particularly good stage presence and clear vocal dynamics, as well as a pleasing singing voice. Jack (Libby-Mae Eddy) and Simon (Poppie Thorpe) handled their roles very competently and will doubtless relax into them as the run progresses. And the three young mice (about whose vision I shall not comment lest I be harangued for stereotyping) provided a very funny cameo. The Golden Harp (Moira Siara, whose real voice we all know and love) manages to sing just badly enough to make the on-stage characters’ desire for her to shut up, wholly credible. Summing it up - if you love pantos, this is one for you. And if anyone dares to tell you it isn’t, then of course, you know what you must say…”Oh, yes, it is”. Hugh C L Cawley