Tuesday 31 October 2023

PANTOMIME REVIEW: Jack And The Beanstalk - Theatre Royal, St. Helens.

 

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Once again that time has come, to have yourself a lot of fun.

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You'll laugh out loud until you cry, the best ticket you could ever buy.

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Jack And The Beanstalk is this panto. You simply have to get to a show.

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So why wait? go and see, for fun and laughter with your family!

Once again the amazing Regal Entertainments Ltd , production team and cast at St Helens Theatre Royal have come up with a winner. No matter what time of the year, each and every pantomime they generate exceeds expectations. The curtain rises and we are introduced to Fairy Mary (Jenna Sian O'Hara) and the innuendo starts, flying high over the heads of the younger members of the audience but giving the older members an inkling of what's in store. The choreography is performed beautifully and the costumes are 'Spot' on..... it took me a few minutes to realise that the first outfits represented cows and not dalmations, Duh!  Of course they did, this is the story of Daisy the cow being sold in exchange for beans not a tale of dogs!  Throughout the evening the young dancers are a joy to watch and the stage is not overcrowded by them, which is often the case. Costumes are stunning and match equally if not better than major productions at larger theatres. There is no better person than a pantomime dame to model the fantastic creations and Dame Dolly Trott has a different outrageous outfit at every appearance. 

Mark Two as the Dame is very entertaining and encourages audience participation with catchphrases, as does Simple Simon performed by the regular fun loving family favourite, Lewis Devine. The energy he possesses is unparalleled as he sings, dances and clowns around in almost every scene. 

As expected there simply has to be a romance and this is provided by the lovely Princess Jill (Maddie Hope Coelho) and the dashing Jack Trott (David Heath) Love Island and Married At First Sight rolled into one! The harmonising as they duet is great to hear and it's no surprise they both have plenty of experience with Coelho having performed on television shows and a vocalist on Disney's  Pandora. Heath has many singing performances under his belt too and some may recognise him from his days with boy band, Eton Road, from X Factor.

The only expected 'booing' at a performance is with a villain and the kids (and I suspect adults too) certainly were vocal towards the evil Mrs Fleshcreep (Rachael Wood) which just shows she was doing her job right!  

We have a terrible threatening giant with a deep booming voice who's identity is a theatre secret as no mention in the programme as to who performed as him. I wasn't expecting a giant to actually appear as usually just a voice in many panto's so this was a great addition. 

The sound and special effects only enhance the show and are perfectly timed and along with smooth scenery changes are a credit to the team.

Four children from the audience are the lucky winners of a golden ticket found in a purchased programme and join Simple Simon on the stage for a few minutes for a sketch of the Okie Cokie , they steal the show and even know there left leg from right! They were rewarded with huge cheers and a goody bag each.

I have to admit I do love panto and have attended the Theatre Royal for many years and not once have I been disappointed and I'm sure you won't be either. 

Jack And The Beanstalk's run continues until Sunday 5th November so get booking now . 

If you can't make this one don't despair.....the fun starts all over again with Aladdin which I am sure will be a fantastic Christmas panto opening on 2nd December until 14th January.

Reviewer - Lorna Weekes
on - 29.10.23

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