Ruth Betteridge as Jill Pickle and Joshua Price as JackTrott. Picture: Stuart Purfield

Jack and the Beanstalk

Malvern Theatres

*****

Paul Milton’s excellent and creative pantomime production at Malvern Theatres is full of colour, life and originality. While the show again revolves around Mark James’ warm and witty performance, there are some new and original elements to enjoy as well.

There is a simplified plot line. In the original fairy tale, Jack makes more than one visit to the castle after climbing the beanstalk; he hides in the oven and steals different items while the giant ogre sleeps. Here the narrative element is simplified. The first act focusses on the dairy and the marketplace, leading up to the sale of the cow; the second focuses on the imprisonment and escape from the ogre’s castle.

All the traditional elements are present in the show: audience participation and engagement, the flow of corny jokes, puns and songs; the local references always amuse with a few political digs. The addition of 3-D spectacles is clever, innovative, if perhaps a little scary for the very sensitive. The ‘WeBuyAnyCow.com’, the dairy and fairy jokes, the milkshake machine  -  the show is brim-full of light-hearted wit and inventiveness.

The colour and energy of this show owe much to the outstanding costumes and the brilliant choreography. The rich array of frequently changing costumes (Elizabeth Dennis and team) worn by the cast and the dancers provide a visual feast. The opening of the second act provided an excellent example of the creative choreography – Cameron MacDonald has added some delightful touches and originality.

Mark James is Malvern’s favourite funny man and he does not disappoint as Silly Billy, Jack’s brother. He is lovely with the young kids called out of the audience on their birthday, he gets the right balance of humour for a family audience, he is the consummate professional.

Tom Lister plays Fleshcreep, the villain of the show; somewhat bawdy, he provides the right degree of menace without being too scary in his various guises. Nick Wilton plays the traditional pantomime dame with customary humour. Joshua Price is the charming and youthful Jack, opposite Jill Pickle played by Ruth Betteridge.

The presence of the young dancers from The Cecilia Hall Dance Centre add lots of charm and enrich the spectacle.

Malvern’s excellent production of Jack & the Beanstalk is not to be missed and runs with some special performances for those with sight and auditory challenges until the 4th January.

Tim Crow

15-12-25

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