REVIEW: Jack and the Beanstalk
Most months of the year have their staple events: February has Valentine’s Day, April has Easter and December has Christmas. For anyone in the vicinity of Louth, it’s a given that January is panto time at the Riverhead Theatre!
This year, The Louth Playgoers are taking audiences on a journey from the English countryside to the clouds and back again in Jack and the Beanstalk, playing until Sunday 18th January. But will their efforts leave you on cloud nine? This reviewer thinks so!
This is a golden age of local talent, with the theatre’s season already boasting sell-out productions of the heart-warming ‘Calendar Girls’, the puzzling ‘Cluedo’ and downright riotous ‘Nunsense’. This fourth offering from the current Playgoers’ President Derek Smith is sure to continue the current success of the internal productions. With classic panto gags, joyous chorus numbers and musical hits from across the years, you’d be hard-pressed to find another show with such a wide appeal for audiences.
From the off, we are transported to a fairytale land, following the tale of Jack Trott and his family. Jack is played by Playgoers regular Emma Wighton, who once more brings her irresistible charm and glorious vocals to the stage. Audiences cannot help but root for Jack as he tries his best to rescue Princess Gillian, played by newcomer Precious Stewart-Coates. She is every bit the panto princess; visually and vocally stunning. Her solo number, supported by the beautiful ballet dancers from Studio 2000, is the musical and technical pinnacle of this overall impressively designed production.
‘Helping’ our young hero along the way is his mother, the Dame Trott, played by Derek Hodges. This isn’t just a pantomime dame, this is an M&S… oh, who am I kidding? Brash, cheeky and just naughty enough to delight adults and children alike; If Lidl did dames, then this is your gal. Hodges’ masculine take on the role provides a great contrast to Wighton’s sweet and earnest portrayal of Jack.
The audience are guided by the wonderfully earthy Fairy Beansprout and the giant’s menacing accomplice Fleshcreep, brought to life respectively by Louth panto stalwarts Laura Harris and Cheryl Lamming. Audiences may recognise Harris from her appearance in last year’s panto, Dick Whittington, where she also played a fairy. Clearly, this is a role she was born to play, as she wins over the crowd with her charm from start to finish. In playing the baddie, Cheryl Lamming takes on something completely new to her. Her physicality and audience interaction are excellent, with her musical number being a real highlight.
The show is written and Directed by Michael Courtney, who also stars as the comic lead Simple Simon. Michael leads the show - and the audience - with an experienced hand that is reminiscent of classic comic performers from the professional stage. Kids and adults alike will find themselves bowled over by Simple Simon’s silly antics! Mike has also written an original song ‘Up, Up, Up the Beanstalk’ which is featured in the show, and you’ll likely be singing all the way home.
Assistant Director Richard Precious ably lends his years of Louth Pantomime experience to tie together a slick production that showcases elements never before seen on the Louth Riverhead Theatre stage.
While the individual performances are, of course, the main focus of the audience’s attention, the real MVPs of this performance are the chorus and dancers, whose infectious smiles and energy never falter during the two-hour run time. The Playgoers’ chorus have been choreographed by Hayley Wrightam, who has once again offered her expertise to help the ensemble look and feel their best. I particularly enjoyed the use of puppets… but I won’t give too much away. Meanwhile, the young dancers from Studio 2000, once more under the hugely experienced and respected tutelage of Nicola and Chloe Goldby and team, inject the show with joy and fun as they glide, shimmy and spring across the Riverhead stage.
Kudos must also go to the five-piece band, who keep the show going with toe-tapping beats and catchy tunes. This crack team is small but perfectly formed. It’s hard to believe that the majority of them are hobbyists as they deftly handle not only the musical numbers, but also the plentiful sound effects and fast-paced transitions.
It’s clear that a lot of love has been invested in this show. Countless volunteer hours in set design, costume, tech and direction have resulted in a colourful feast for the eyes, with the Riverhead’s latest addition of a high-tech video wall quite literally taking centre stage. This plays an important role in its own right, but I’ll let you see for yourselves!
This panto has it all: cracking tunes, jokes aplenty and the capability to leave audiences walking out with a smile on their face. What more could you ask for in an otherwise cold and dreary January?
Jack and the Beanstalk plays this January at the Riverhead Theatre, with evening and matinee performances available, including a relaxed matinee on Sunday 11th January at 11am for those who require a more toned-down version. For more information, visit www.louthriverheadtheatre.com or call the box office on 01507 600 350.