Using a cast of just 5 actors / actresses, this is an adaptation of the traditional tale of 'Jack And The Beanstalk' suitable to fit in the Stephen Joseph Theatre's small in-the-round space. The show has been adapted by Nick Lane, Benjamin Tabart and others, and directed and choreographed by Gemma Farlie. This is not a pantomime by any stretch of the imagination - despite the show using some audience interaction (especially at the beginning and end of the show), and a rather malevolent and sinister adaptation of a pantomime set routine appearing incongruously five minutes before the show finishes. What it is however, is a very clever, slick, and imaginative children's musical using the well-known story to tell a tale of friendship, trust, community, and adventure; with characters, situations, and locations the audience of youngsters would be able to relate to.
The set (Helen Royston), is a giant footprint and a few boxes - and this becomes all the locations necessary for the story to be told, except one: the beanstalk itself. This is a choreographed and rather eerie or perhaps disquieting routine of twisted roots and stalks growing up through a gap in the audience to platforms at the rear of the auditorium. Perhaps the filming of this sequence was more scary than it was in reality. Once there though, I truly enjoyed the journey this created and loved the slide down onto the cloud.
We are shown a one-parent family from Scarborough (Jack and his mum), his school-life, the school bully - who just happens to be the head teacher's son! - and a strange neighbour from next door. It's very David Walliamseque in its set-up. There are some extremely well thought-out twists in the tarditional tale however, and the friendship that grows between Jack and Jill (who else?!) was superbly realised. Comedy was gained in the most unlikely of places, although I doubt very much whether the very young would laugh at any of the silly Spanish references of a rather Cowardly Lion-esque first entrance of the Hen Guard.
What worked even less though for me was the voice of the giant. All the cast when speaking to or interacting with this offstage, unseen creature, all knew he was huge and had a loud booming voice - however, perhaps because of not wanting to frighten the audience, or perhaps the audio playback, his voice in this recording was even quieter than those of the humans he was interacting with.
The original music and lyrics for this musical were written by Simon Slater, and they worked well for the style of show and theatre space. I would have preferred something a little more contemporary perhaps, in order to engage the youngsters on a musical level too; but that is perhaps just personal subjectivity.
A lovely denouement and ending, showing companionship, good-will-conquer, truth, and the true Christmas spirit. The whole musical wasn't overlong (just 100 minutes), and was performed by 5 versatile and talented young actors / actresses, who were: Jacob Butler, Jessica Dennis, Sheri Lineham, Alicia McKenzie, and Loris Scarpa.
Very enjoyable, festive, creative, and sensibly directed for a target audience of preteens and tweenies.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 27.12.21
No comments:
Post a Comment