As usual, with the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells, the canopy above the entrance door is decorated fantastically well and, with the vast amount of greenery that is climbing the front wall it is very obvious that we are all here to see Jack and the Beanstalk.
This show starts, unlike many others, with a proper overture which offers a few hints as to the musical numbers to come and then the customary appearance, stage right, of the fairy. In this production Sarah-Jane Buckley appears as The Vegetable Fairy and delivers her rhyming couplets in a wonderfully rich West Country accent. She is obviously incredibly comfortable in the part and her connection with the audience is immediate and strong.
The village scene, accompanied by Michael Buble’s “It’s a Beautiful Day”, introduces us to Jack, played by Hi-5’s Luke Roberts and Zara Warren as Princess Jill. Each plays their part well, but the chemistry between them is not really forthcoming and it’s not until Act Two that they become believable as a couple. Jill’s father, The King, is played by Michael Chance and he, like the Fairy, is really suited to his part.
Noel Brodie soon gets the kids, and a lot of the adults, on his side when he takes the stage as Simple Simon. His jokes are corny, his outfits garish and his opening number, the online smash hit “The Fox (What Does the Fox Say?)” is an athletic tour de force. The 14 strong dance company with him move around the stage very well, with even the tiniest of them giving 110% and loving their chance to shine.
Of course, no pantomime is complete without its Dame and it isn’t very long before Stephen David bursts onto the stage as Dame Trott, in an amazing cow covered, dairy themed, outfit. She is here to milk Daisy, probably the cutest pantomime cow that I’ve ever seen. Daisy, as well as providing the much needed milk, is an accomplished dancer who works her slapstick comedy opportunities well and, when the time comes to sell her, more than a few tears are shed around the auditorium.
The baddie of the piece is former Waterloo Road star Philip Martin Brown who takes the role of Fleshcreep, the Giant’s henchman and, although not totally convincing as bad, he is most certainly creepy. His over the top mannerisms, and the almost constant rubbing of his legs, as he is threatening the cast and audience leaves many in the audience, both young and old, feeling rather uncomfortable – but, when was a baddie ever meant to make you feel comfortable?
As we approach the interval, and the bag of beans is hurled out through Dame Trott’s farmhouse window the stage clears and, with the full dance company and more stage smoke than you can shake a stick at to herald it, the most magnificent beanstalk appears before our very eyes. Joe McElderry’s massive hit “The Climb” is the appropriate song to send Jack on his way up the beanstalk and, once the confetti cannons have exploded, the audience into the bar.
The second half flows a little better than the first with all the traditional favourites, like the ghost scene, the “messy” scene and the wonderfully unpredictable “kids from the audience” section included. We even get to witness Fleshcreep, together with the adult dancers, ploughing his way through the recent hit, Applause, by Lady Gaga.
Once the Princess and Daisy are rescued, the beanstalk is destroyed and the giant is no more, the stage becomes a sea of pink silk as the full company attend the wedding of the newly dubbed “Sir” Jack Trott and the Princess Jill and everyone, as is usual in Panto-land, lives happily ever after.
With all the elements that go together to make a traditional pantomime, some slick choreography to keep the dancers busy, a huge array of colourful costumes and some dramatic pyrotechnic effects, this production has something for everyone and makes for a wonderful festive treat.
**** Four Stars