🎭 Jack and the Beanstalk
📍 Princess Theatre, Torbay Road, Torquay, Devon, TQ2 5EZ
🗓 Monday 17th December 2024
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A FLAWLESS FESTIVE DELIGHT
Fe Fi Fo Fum... it's my favourite time of the year, and pantomimes are taking over theatres across the country! At the Princess Theatre in Torquay this year's offering is JACK AND THE BEANSTALK from Jordan Productions and it is absolutely fantastic.
This is panto as it should be. Full of lots of silliness and great songs this really is festive fun at its very best. With a principal boy and a dame - something that lots of pantos seem to be missing lately - this is a proper traditional pantomime and I loved every second of it.
This production of JACK AND THE BEANSTALK has the best plot I've seen this year. Because there are no egos to please in the company it means that a coherent storyline is central to the show, and it's not just a parade of big names performing their act turning it into more of a variety or cabaret show. This makes the production more of an ensemble piece which was really refreshing and enjoyable.
The Princess Theatre doesn't have the biggest stage ever, but the set design was spectacular and used the space well without ever feeling cluttered. Married with the wonderful costumes and wigs and the brilliant lighting, this really is a feast for the eyes.
But what really makes this panto so good is the incredible cast. Jennie Dale gave a high energy performance as Fairy Fuchia. She was enjoyable to watch and has wonderful vocals too. Isabel Canning was strong in the role of Jack and her performance kept the story grounded in a sea of silliness. Lottie Brogan displayed sensational vocals and embodied the character of Princess Jill beautifully while John Altman was somewhat laid back as King Custard.
Michael Neilson was utterly divine as Dame Trot, and many of the best moments in the show came from his double-act with Matthew Curnier as Silly Billy. The way the two bounced off each other was as if they'd been working together for years. Curnier especially interacted wonderfully with the audience and was the ultimate clown of the piece. When the two brought an audience member onto the stage to help with their milkshake machine, hilarity and chaos ensued which was met with roars of laughter from kids and adults alike. I liked the way they knew just how far to take a joke without breaking it, and I'd love to see these two partnered together again in the future.
The standout performance for me however came from Matt Lapinskas as the evil Fleshcreep. It's hard to believe that he has never played the baddie in panto before because he was absolutely outstanding. His evil laugh was fantastic and the way he moved around the stage and played to the audience was mesmerising. How he stood there are bathed in the boos and hisses from the audience with a joyful nonchalance secured his performance as my favourite panto performance of the year so far.
No review of this production of JACK AND THE BEANSTALK would be complete without mentioning the sensational Ensemble Dancers who executed their choreography with wonderful precision and were a vital cog in the slickness of the performance.
Overall this pantomime is flawless; spectacular; phenomenal; side-splittingly funny; a visual feast... need I go on? WIth songs from popular musicals such as Wicked and Little Shop of Horrors as well as pop songs from acts like Take That, this show really does have something for everyone.
When your local theatre in Torquay is putting on a gigantic pantomime that is better than the iconic production at The London Palladium, you have to treat yourself to some tickets. I know I'll be booking to see it again before the run finishes.
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK is playing at the Princess Theatre until Saturday 4th January 2025. Click here to secure your seats now. With matinee performances as early as 11am and tickets from just £13, this show is accessible to everyone. There's even a relaxed performance on Thursday 2nd January 2025. You can find details and book tickets for thie performance here.
Neill Kovacic-Clarke
All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one reviewer.
My ticket for this performance of Jack and the Beanstalk was gifted by the Princess Theatre who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.
CAST LIST:
Jennie Dale as Fairy Fuchsia; Matt Lapinskas as Fleshcreep; Matthew Curnier as Silly Billy; Michael Neilson as Dame Trott; Isabel Canning as Jack; Lottie Brogan as Princess Jill; John Altman as King Custard
Ensemble Dancers: Elaina Gomm; Matt Hendricks; Joseph Huw; Lara Young
RUN TIME (approx):
2 hours 30 minutes, including interval
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