Jack and the Beanstalk at Buxton Opera House Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Louise Clarke

Tonight my family and I were lucky enough to visit the beautiful Opera House theatre in Buxton. Before the show had even begun I was already mesmerised by how beautiful the interior of the theatre was in itself.

We watched Jack and the Beanstalk and it was spectacular from start to finish one of the best versions we have ever seen. The cast was fun and full of energy and had the whole theatre laughing, dancing, clapping and booing. The way the cast were able to get all of the audience to get involved and participate was really lovely to see.

Dame Trot played by James Holmes played his character really well, engaging the audience with lots of one liners to make the older children and adults belly laugh. Spot, who was played by Aidan Bailey, really went above and beyond to entertain the children, so comfortable in character and it really shone through. Jack was played by Toby Shellard and he really was one of the best Jacks we’ve seen in theatre, his singing, dancing and acting was spectacular. The children were amazed by the way he handled the giant and saved the day.

Princess Louise was played by Ruby Hewitt, she was spectacular with amazing singing vocals, the dancing scenes she had the children all waving their lights, she brought a mass of energy to the stage. Mrs. Blunderbore was played by Catherine Pugh and she really held herself well playing the villain and had everyone in the room booing, at one point the whole room booed too early with excitement and she held that well the children loved her. Fairy Nuff was played by Cait O’Malley, everybody loves the panto fairy but this fairy out shone any fairy we have ever seen with her beautiful vocals, was lovely to see the children all mesmerized by her when she was on stage.

The show was a good balance of acting, singing and dancing and really had the whole theatre in laughter and songs. The seating is over 3 floors, the cast included the whole of the theatre during the performance which we thought was amazing.

The scene changes were run smoothly and looked effortless to the audience which further added to the enjoyment of the show. The live orchestra was also beautiful to hear and they executed their part of bringing this show to life flawlessly. The set and costumes were well thought out and detailed which added to the magic of the show, allowing us as the audience to be fully transported into the world of this magical story. The way the cast brought the characters to life was absolutely captivating and they did so in what seemed effortless to the audience

The theatre is close to public transport and has easy access to it with it being in the centre of Buxton.

Jack and the Beanstalk is being shown from Friday 6th December 2024 until Wednesday 1st January 2025. Tickets can be purchased through this link: buxtonoperahouse.org.uk.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets are from £19.50