Jack And The Beanstalk At The Viaduct Theatre Halifax Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Jenny Bray
Pantomime season is in full swing as Christmas is fast approaching. The Viaduct is a more intimate location to attend if you want to feel really close to the full production. The theatre is set up with the stage in the middle with rows of seats on both main sides. There are only 300 seats, so no seat is positioned more than a few metres away from the stage.
The show is Jack and the Beanstalk, which centres around Jack and his Mum with Jill and her Dad in the first half. There are other interesting pairings of names too later in the show. There is, of course, Daisy the Cow too. She provides milk for their amusingly named dairy business. There are lots of gags throughout, some of which are aimed at all and some are more for the adults. There is a ‘standard panto’ bench scene with a ghost, although I liked the twist with the ghost at the end of this part. Listen out for Fairy Sugarsnap’s alternative name.
This pantomime was put on by Panto Ever After. The cast for this show is quite small, although there are 9 young dancers supporting. They come out and perform during various parts of the show and add a little extra to it.
Scott Worsfold has returned as the Dame this year. His character is Dame Tilly Trot. There were several outfit changes throughout. I especially liked the first one after the interval. The Dame took a liking to a male member sitting in the front row, with various references to him once he’d become the ‘chosen one’.
Unfortunately, as there was no programme and the details aren’t online for anyone other than the Dame, I can’t credit any of the other actors. However I particularly enjoyed the ‘baddie’, called Fleshcreep, with his exaggerated moves and facial expressions.
There was a funny sketch once they were up in the clouds, about there being more than one castle so needing to know which one the giant lived in. Jack just doesn’t get it, which makes it all the more funny when the others are clearly telling him the names of the giants living in the other three many times over.
Outfits were typical colourful pantomime wear, except Flesh creep who was mainly in black as a true baddie should be! I loved the sparkly shoes that Fairy Sugarsnap wore and the bright pink boots the Dame had on. Moving props were minimal although one side was set up as Jack and his Mum’s house during the first act and then the giant’s castle for the second act. The point where the beanstalk was shown growing was clever.
The Viaduct is a theatre under Dean Clough Mills in Halifax. It’s a little cooler than most and has high ceilings so they provide blankets if required, although we found it plenty warm enough by just leaving outdoor coats on throughout the show. There is free parking on site after 5pm.
In the interval they have a stall offering mulled wine, hot chocolate (with or without Baileys) and ice cream. This gets very busy so if you can head there before a toilet break you will benefit from being in the queue early. There is also a bar in the complex that several people went to and brought drinks back from.
Pantomimes are a great way of introducing young children to the theatre. This one is particularly suitable for younger children, although may be a little long for them to sit through. The shows are on at family friendly times with performances at 2.30 and 6.30pm over the Christmas period. There are also a couple at 11am. The ticket prices are also very reasonable. It was fun and interactive, with a Spice Girls medley mixed in and the addition of young dancers.
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £15 to £24 for a single ticket with a family ticket costing £59 to £75 (valid for either 1 adult and 3 children or 2 adults and 2 children)
Jack and the Beanstalk is on at The Viaduct Theatre in Halifax between 10th and 26th December 2022
For more information or to book tickets call the box office on 01422 849227 or visit; https://theviaducttheatre.co.uk/shows-tickets/jack_and_the_beanstalk_panto_2023
The Viaduct Theatre, Dean Clough Mills, Halifax, HX3 5AX