Jack And The Beanstalk Parr Hall Warrington Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Dottie Rood
I wasn’t sure about going to a pantomime in January having always gone before Christmas, in December, would it be as good? Oh yes it will! Oh no it won’t! Oh yes it was? Oh no it wasn’t? What is the answer? Oh yes it was!
This pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, was held at Pyramid Parr Hall theatre which is a small to medium theatre just on the edge of Warrington town centre. It offers lots of parking close by and places to eat if you need it. The staff were efficient and helpful when asked for seat directions etc. If I have one small criticism it is that the seats are on the level (not tiered) and having 6 grandchildren with me, some of them smaller than the adults in front of them! I thought this might be a problem. However, we juggled around (as did the people behind) and we all managed to see the action that took place on stage, also as the actors moved around quite a bit it was easy to follow and easy enough to see.
Jack and the Beanstalk is an English fairy tale that sees Jack take a cow into town (originally to sell it for food) but accepts magic beans for it. His mother is not happy and throws the beans out of the window where a giant beanstalk grows into the clouds. Jack decides to climb the stalk in the hopes of finding gold and treasure.
Now add all the usual pantomime characters:
The ‘baddie’, Fleshcreep, played by the panto’s director Frank Simms. The ‘hero’, Jack Trott, played by Lucy Summers. The ‘love interest’, Jill Crumble, played by Amy Thompson. The ‘over the top but hilarious Dame (Trott)’, played by Mark Newell. The very sweet fairy (who was also the narrator), Fairy Sweet Pea’, played by Sara Nelson. The ‘King (Crumble)’, played by Kyle White, and of course the ‘Silly aspect (Billy)’, played by Daniel Dean. Then add the pantomime cow, Daisy, and the voice (and ‘puppet’) of the Giant Blunderbore and you have got the making of a very traditional and very funny pantomime.
The pantomime loosely followed the traditional story of Jack and the Beanstalk with some twists and turns that could in-corporate the songs and dances we all love to see at the panto. This particular pantomime had a lovely set of young dancers, TLC of Dance, that appeared on a number of occasions to support the story line and who were a splendid addition to the storyline.
We all enjoyed the audience participation that you expect to get at a good pantomime, from the booing when Fleshcreep appeared to the ‘he’s/it’s (the ghost!) behind you that was warranted on several occasions, plus, following the instructions from Silly Billy to stop anyone looking in the bag he had left hanging up, “don’t touch the bag, leave the bag alone” resounded several times throughout the performance with great enthusiasm from us all.
I need to mention the beautiful voice from Lucy Summers (Jack Trott) and the ‘rude’ but very funny rhymes and comments that all of my grandchildren (and most of the children in the audience) loved. Think of words that rhyme with ‘Billy’, ‘ooo’ and ‘tum’ and you will get the gist! These were really funny and not at all offensive so please don’t let this put you off going to see this feel good affordable show that is the perfect way to cheer up a very wet very dull January.
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £11.00
https://culturewarrington.org/whats-on/jack-the-beanstalk/
Jack in the Beanstalk Pantomime is at Pyramid & Parr Hall theatre Warrington From Friday 5th January 2024 to Sunday 14th January 2024
There are accessible performances on: Signed, Sunday 7th January. Relaxed/Dementia friendly-Tuesday 9th January1.30 /5.30 Special offers: Family/10th ticket free/Senior BOGOF
For more information or to book tickets visit http://culturewarrington.org/
Or call the box office on 01925442345
Address of theatre is: Pyramid & Parr Hall Palmyra Square South Warrington WA11BL
Photo credit: David Morgan Press and Social Media Officer Pyramid & Parr Hall Warrington