A right old beano!

Jach & the Beanstalk arrives big time at the Corn Exchange

The highly successful production team of Plested, Brown and Wilsher have returned with their fifth pantomime at the Corn Exchange: Jack and the Beanstalk, a giant fun-filled family show that sparkles with seasonal cheer.

The capacity audience was certainly in for a Christmas treat.

There are many new twists on this well-known story, starting with the effervescent Fairy Fabulous, superbly played by William Beckerleg as a guitar playing Elvis, with a striking voice to match.

Matthew Cavendish as Fleshcreep makes a dramatic entrance on a scooter and was instantly booed, as he issued a fine to the fairy – since singing and dancing has been banned by the Giant in his castle in the clouds. He just wants peace and quiet.

This causes problems for Jill, played by the delightful Hannah Fairclough, who has formed a band with Hot Chick (Georgia McIntyre) and Spicy Chick (Emma Thornett). These hilarious ‘chickens’ are a great double act, giving rise to many groan making puns.

Sev Keoshgerian is impressive as Jack and sings with passion. He is really in love with Jill, but both claim to be “just friends”.

His mother Dame Trott, at this performance played by Philip Pellew, quickly establishes a rapport with the audience. His ingenious costumes become more outlandish at every appearance.

Times are hard and poor Daisy the cow has to be sold. Fleshcreep tricks Jack, who ends up with a bag of beans, much to his mother’s angst.

In the morning they have grown into a huge beanstalk and our intrepid Jack decides to climb it to save Daisy.

But the rescue party is thwarted by a locked castle gate and has to play a game of ‘guess that tune’ on bones. With the help of the audience, they get in and meet the Giant, who is – well... gigantic and misunderstood.

There are loads of local references, topical comments and oodles of audience participation.

With excellent support from Robbie Noonan, Samantha Richard and Lucy Elizabeth Thorburn, dynamic choreography by Nicky Griffiths and music by Josh Cottell, this high energy spectacular panto should definitely be on your Christmas wish list.

ROBIN STRAPP