Edward Rowe as the Dame in Hall for Cornwall’s pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk
REVIEW: Jack and the Beanstalk at Hall for Cornwall
Despite Storm Darragh’s best efforts to blow down the beanstalk at its press night, it didn’t stop audiences from relishing pasty puns and celebrating the Kernow King in Hall for Cornwall’s pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk.
It’s written once again by Steve Marmion (Peter Pan, Treasure Island) and directed by all round-pantomime expert Joyce Branagh. The creative team who brought the record-breaking Peter Pan to audiences last year, Cornwall Playhouse Productions, have done it again – oh yes they have!
In the Cornish-infused fairytale, the children in Kernow, including Jack’s best friend, Jill (Freya Karlettis), have been kidnapped by the giant to work in the sky. Now that taxes have increased due to staff shortages, only Jack Trott (Patrick Dineen), and “Smart” Simone (Truro’s own Charlotte Rutherfoord) are left to bring everyone home.
The set design and special effects are what makes this show truly spellbinding, creating the perfect pantomime for anyone wanting some festive magic on their doorstep. There can’t be a Jack if there’s no beanstalk (nor a giant awaiting at the top), and Truro’s own definitely doesn’t disappoint. With David Howe’s dazzling lighting design illuminating every moment, I’d urge audiences to go just to experience this local spectacle for themselves.
Fans can even buy a cuddly version to bring home – udderly adorable!
The majority of the cast, crew and creatives working on the show are Cornish, intertwining their culture from start to finish. Most notably the Kernow King (Edward Rowe) returns to Pantoland to captivate audiences with another outstanding performance as this year’s Dame Maid Trott, Jack and Simone’s mother. They make an electrifying trio throughout. The cast also consists of 18 upcoming youth performers, having successfully auditioned out of 130 children, paving the way for the next generation of Cornish performers.
The iconically evil duo Dame Judi Hench (Susannah Van Den Berg) and Frenchman Harri Co’Vert (Gareth Cooper) gave audiences many opportunities to boo to their heart’s content. Meanwhile, Goosey (Colin Leggo), despite originally thinking he was cast as the famous goose from Top Gun, pulled on heart strings with merely being the giant’s soft toy, without a chance to fly away. I would have liked to see more stage time for Freya Karlettis and Jessica Manu, as they both mesmerised audiences with their voices during the time they had.
Jagga the Cow (Shen Leng Chow) certainly stole the spotlight. Inspired by the Cornish term for Jack – Jakka – her defiant milking escapade provoked laughter across the auditorium, alongside her favourite tunes from ‘Now That’s What I Call Mooo-sic’. Jagga fans can even buy a cuddly version to bring home – udderly adorable!
Although a little slow to get started, by the end audiences can expect an array of sweeties and super-soakers and enough innuendos to keep the adults in tow. With well-adapted songs, from the controversial ‘Scone, Jam and Cream on Top’, to the most St Piran’s flags I’ve ever seen in a rendition of ‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’, Richard Healey has integrated modern-day tunes with pantomime classics and intertwined them with enough Cornish culture for all the family to enjoy.
If you’re looking to watch a pantomime for Christmas this year, but London feels too far away, Jack and the Beanstalk is certainly not one to miss.
- The show is running until the 31st December, with tickets starting from £15. You can check availability and book your tickets here.