REVIEW - JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

This is the third year I’ve watched and reviewed the Towngate theatre pantomime, and I was particularly looking forward to ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, as Evolution were co-producing this year and I was intrigued to see what that would be like 

It’s definitely the best show I’ve seen at the Towngate for a long time!

Overall it was a fantastic show and the audience clearly had a brilliant time. The production values were stunning and there were some really innovative takes on the traditional panto – which if you’ve seen Show Up’s pantomimes you know I’m all about. 

It’s usual for large panto companies that have numerous venues to reuse scripts, and it normally works well with each production tweaking and improving it each time. But for this show it felt like the performers were made to fit into the script, rather than it being adapted and edited to the cast’s strengths. 

For example, I was starting to wonder if the title had been changed to ‘Jill and the Beanstalk’ as we didn’t meet Jack for nearly 25 minutes. Aidan Banyard was a fabulous Jack; reserved, humble and very likeable. He had a great voice too so I’m not sure why he wasn’t in the opening of the show – perhaps in a previous life the script was written for a big celeb reveal 

Pantomimes often lean on a central comic performer; either a celeb or someone who’s been at the venue for decades and that the audience are already devoted to. It seemed like they were attempting the same recipe here and to be fair they nearly pulled it off. But I wonder if a trick has been missed in not embracing the love the audience has for Sophie Ladds. 

I think Ian Hallard, as Dame Trott, seized the reins of the role not necessarily created for him and did a really, really good job. But I wondered if he hadn’t been able to add his own spin on it. Which was a shame because when interacting with the audience he blossomed, but that spark didn’t come out throughout the whole show. I can’t exactly explain why but it felt like all the jokes were from other comics and he was simply delivering them. Don’t get me wrong of course all jokes are nabbed and reused in pantomime, but having worked on over a dozen, the individual performers always bring their own identity to it. And it felt like Ian didn’t get the chance to find and deliver his best performance as he was replicating someone else’s. I know Evolution plan their pantos well over a year in advance so there’s a good chance there just wasn’t the time to achieve that this year. 

Basildon’s favourite baddie – Sophie Ladds shone as usual. Her delivery and timing on point, even if I didn’t quite understand her costume. I hope Evolution embraces the dynamic between Ian and Sophie – I’m not sure how many other venues have a woman and a baddie as the re-occurring cast member that the audience loves. And I think that makes Basildon special.

Alice Hoult who played Jill was fab to watch. Her vocals were amazing, it’s just a shame she had a two-dimensional character, as although we were introduced to her, I still don’t quite know who Jill was.. Silly Billy was played by Ashley Cavender who again didn’t really get a chance to shine. All the comic routines focusing on Dame Trott meant Silly Billy was dancing around the edges. I wondered if perhaps he could have honed in on being the “comic for the kids” as he had great energy in the song sheet and his different voices were really excellent. 

The fairy played by Sophia Ragavelas was a big bundle of joyful energy – who commanded the stage on every appearance; and was a lovely addition to the bench gag. 

The character of Jack seemed kind of redundant to the plot, which in any other show would be a big boo boo. But in panto you can get away with those sorts of things. Like when three big plot points were tied up in a sentence in act 2. It’s lazy writing but noone cares. 

Especially when the production values were infinitely better than previous pantos I’ve seen at the Towngate. Drawing on the wealth of stock Evolution have, it was such a joy to see so many brilliantly made, high-quality costumes, props and puppets. The light up portals make such a difference to the set, and I really liked the painted floor design.  

The only other small gripe I have is with the script again (can you tell I’m a writer?). The main jeopardy of the piece was that the giant was going to control the weather with a weather machine operated by songs and a special key. I love convoluted plots in pantomime – the crazier the better, I love not knowing where the characters are going to take us, but keenly following them on their journey. But I was a bit disappointed that a major story line was a set up for a comedy sketch and then basically forgotten about. People did laugh I guess but there were only a couple of belly laughs from a few members of the audience – rather than the entire audience losing their minds. So seems a small pay off for basing the entire plot around. Like don’t get me wrong, I’m all for crow barring a comedy sketch, swapping the dairy for a dog training ground I can thoroughly get behind, but basing the entire plot around a sketch is a bit meh in my opinion.

I also thought the pacing of act one was slightly off. The opening was a brilliant, high-energy, spectacle and it really got me excited for the show. But it went on for a while which meant the plot didn’t really get started until 20 minutes in. And at about 40 minutes the kids around me were getting a little restless, and then came the classic cart of puns, which for a tried and tested routine, didn’t get the response it deserved. 

I love that Evolution shake up the tradition and try new things; adding in a live camera, swapping the traditional marriage finale for a party and a Hamilton/Les Mis/Eminem mash up were all a joy to see. And I’ve had Radiohead’s ‘Creep’ on my playlist of songs I want to put into Show Up’s pantos for years so I grinned a lot when I heard that.

Jack and the Beanstalk is well worth a trip, plus it’s incredible value considering the ticket prices start at £15. The show was brilliant – if you take your family I guarantee they’ll all have a wonderful time. I 100% recommend getting a ticket! 

As an aside..I know I’ve been too harsh on the script in this year’s write up (it’s just a panto after all). But it was such a great show, I had to find something to critique! I really think that if next year’s script works with the performers, embracing Sophie and Ian’s dynamic, add that to the high calibre cast, the incredibly high quality set/costume and props and the smooth backstage team.. then that will certainly be a show and a half.

“Jack and the Beanstalk” runs until the 5th January. Book your tickets here!