Jack and the Beanstalk at Regent Theatre Stoke on Trent Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Becky B
Christmas and panto go hand in hand and for us, this is often a key event over the festive period. There is nothing like a panto to get the Christmas spirit flowing! We were invited to review this year’s panto, ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ at The Regent Theatre, Stoke on Trent.
Anyone who is local to Stoke knows that Jonny Wilkes and panto go hand in hand, and this year is Jonny’s 19th year doing panto at the Regent. We love to go back each year to hear some of the familiar jokes mixed in with the new. Jonny played the title character of Jack supported by a cast of talented entertainers who made up the chorus line. A mix of slapstick humour and some very adult jokes which sailed above the heads of the younger members of the audience were central to the performance. The vocals this year were outstanding with Jonny’s solo being highlight, I am so used to seeing him in a comedy role, I forget what a great singer he is.
Jonny was joined by a fellow Regent panto regular, Kai Owens as Jack’s dad, Farmer Trott. The two are obviously good friends and have a great chemistry and this year they were joined by Noel Sulivan (from Here Say) as Flesh Creep (the baddie). This provided some of the jokes and banter that was a running theme through the Panto. There was also the fairy, the ‘Spirit of the Beans’ and Jill, Jack’s girlfriend who completed the cast. Flesh Creep was a great comedy villain.
There was lots of local banter and jokes, which may not mean so much to you if you are not from Stoke, but as a local, this worked perfectly, especially in warming up the crowd. Some of our favourite funny bits were ‘The Chase’, ‘Trunk of Truth’ and ‘If I were something else’.
The panto set was stunning with lots of seamless set changes that throughout the story. The set was colourful and had an art deco effect. Lighting effects were used to expand the space and det set the mood. As always, the panto is very interactive, with dancers approaching the stage through the audience, which meant we had a great view of them up close, and Jonny coming into the audience at one point. (A top tip is you might want to bring a poncho of you are in the first few rows of the stalls). There is a bit of a surprise at the start of the second half, and if you have a child who has auditory sensitivity, you may want to consider bringing ear defenders. My daughter is much older but did struggle with some of the sudden loud noises.
There was something unique about the panto this year, which I have not seen anywhere else in a panto setting. **Spoiler alert** there is a 3D section. You are given 3D glasses when you enter (don’t forget to return them at the end), and during the second half, when Jack and Farmer Trott climb the beanstalk, the panto switches to 3D and there are spiders, flies and snot flying at you. In my opinion this was very unique for a panto, and I have never seen this before, however I did fee this was at the loss of a some more jokes, which I loved. I think if you are visiting with young children though, they will love it and it is definitely something different which sets the panto this year apart from other panto’s I have been to previously.
All in a this was a great evening of family, festive fun and laughs and we had a great time. I visited with a teenager who is chronically unimpressed, but even she couldn’t help but crack a smile at some of the jokes, although she did draw the line at getting up and dancing! I loved these bits where nearly the whole audience were up dancing, and I am sure the younger children loved to let off some steam. The beauty of panto is that it appeals to all ages in different ways and a good night is guaranteed for all, I can’t wait for next year already!
I would rate this panto 4/5 stars
Tickets cost from £13 + £3.80 transaction fee
Jack and the Beanstalk is at the Regent Theatre from 15th December – 7th January.
For more information or to book tickets visit https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/jack-and-the-beanstalk/regent-theatre/ or call the box office on 0333 009 6690
Piccadilly, Stoke-On-Trent ST1 1AP
Rating: 4/5