15 December - Jack and the Beanstalk rave review

Jack and the Beanstalk at The Queen's Theatre, Barnstaple
Review from 'The Stage'

Published Monday 15 December 2008 at 11:15 by Anne Broom

"Todd Carty’s Ferdinand Fleshcreep carries out his evil mission with style in this fast-moving pantomime. From no-brain to new-brain, gormless Giant’s assistant to upper-class cad in the shake of a spell, Carty’s stage presence and humour instantly engages audiences.

Director/writer John David puts a modern slant on the old tale. With a succession of glittering ‘veggie’ wands, Vivienne McMaster’s charming Fairy Forget-Me-Not strikes a topical green note to help the village folk rid themselves of a voracious giant. When a size 93 boot lands on the doorstep, they know that Giant Carnivore (Jamie Anderson) fancies a ‘take-away Devonian’ for supper and means business.

With strong comedy rapport, Richard Alan’s lovable West Country Dame Trot and his son Jack (Mark Reeves) are well teamed. Cream-filled forcing bags at the ready, the slapstick hots up as the pair, abetted by Jamie Anderson’s Local Yokel Sam, gets in a messy jam preparing the Giant’s cream tea. Stan Pretty’s ‘bean-less and broke’ Baron Has-Bean and Kirsty McCallum’s Honourable Jill keep the action moving, while tap-dancing cow Daisy is a big hit.

Strong visual effects include a pretty Cloudland rainbow scene and superb Beanstalk, while a lively and well-choreographed junior company completes this tightly-directed ensemble."

Return to news listings