Jack And The Beanstalk At Dunstable Grove Theatre Review

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

Reviewed by Dot White

Just like that it’s Panto time again at Dunstable Grove Theatre!  I love a Panto, how can anyone not love a panto?

We arrived at the Theatre to find the foyer full of excited children with their light up toys, and also some equally excited adults at the thought of seeing the star of this year’s Panto!  It was a fabulous evening! 

Of course it was guaranteed to be spectacular as Steve McFadden of Eastenders fame is the star this year playing Fleshcreep, the evil villain!!  Thankfully he had learned the error of his ways by the end of the show.

Of course it wouldn’t be the same without Dunstable’s own Will Kenning as Dame Trott with his numerous fabulous outfits which were just as outrageous as in previous years.  My favourite scene with him was when he discovered Fleshcreep’s weather machine.  I hadn’t realised just how tall he was, he towered above everyone on stage.  He is a fantastic actor and a great ad-libber, you are sure to laugh at least some of his many jokes.  This year he chose his future husband with the aid of the audience cam.

Jaymi Hensley of Union J fame appears to be coming another regular of Dunstable Panto.  He is a great actor and has a fabulous voice and sometimes sang with George Hutton who played Jess. 

Another regular it seems is Oliver Scott as Billy who I recognised from previous years, another great actor who together with Jack & Dame Trott gave us plenty of laughs.  It was great to see this trio working so well together.

Nikita Johal as Fairy Sugarsnap also had a fabulous voice, but was sometimes overpowered by the musicians. 

We did feel that in parts the live music was too loud sometimes to hear some of the actors speaking.

The show started with members of the cast running down through the audience, then just as quickly they were on stage in costume!!  That was not the only time cast members ran through the audience and climbed over seats!! 

We were seated in row M which is at the back row of the stalls and had a really great view.

Of course no Panto would be the same without the Zombie scene with the children and adults alike shouting ‘It’s behind you!’ for all they were worth.  Also the water guns, watch out for them this year is all I will say!!

A previously unknown ‘star’ who made his debut on the Dunstable stage this year was Jasper who played Colin the Dog.  He was absolutely brilliant!  The Programme tells us he is also a registered therapy dog and his mission is to make people happy!!
It wouldn’t be a Panto without the adult dancers and the team of young dancers, not sure which team we watched. 

The scenery, well to begin with there was nothing to be seen until Fairy Sugarsnap stepped in and waved her magic wand and then just like that it appeared.

The Beanstalk when it grew was amazing, it came from nowhere & just grew and grew on stage!!

I can thoroughly recommend this Panto, if you haven’t already got your tickets I would buy them now.

Jack & The Beanstalk 2023 | Grove Theatre

Rating: 5/5