Nottingham.

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
by Kenneth Alan Taylor.

Nottingham Playhouse Wellington Circus NG1 5AF To 18 January 2014.
Runs 2hr 45min One interval.

TICKETS: 0115 9419419.
www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk
Review: Jen Mitchell 30 November.

Kenneth Alan Taylor’s Playhouse panto is another festive treat.
There are no surprises at this time of year at the Nottingham Playhouse, apart from the sumptuous sets and Taylor’s frequent costume changes into increasingly flamboyant outfits. And why should there be? This recipe has worked beautifully for 30 years.

Taylor’s relationship with the people of Nottingham is a close one – he is allowed to insult them in a way that is usually reserved only for close relatives. His acerbic wit and banter with both the audience and other cast members is as amusing and diverting as the story itself. As a veteran pantomime audience member, I can honestly say there is no other dame quite like Kenneth Alan Taylor’s. Or Anthony Hoggard’s, who is hysterical as Mrs Blunderbore.

In true panto tradition, our principal boy is played by the talented Rebecca Little, another regular at the Playhouse; this year is Rebecca’s 13th belting-out catchy tunes and leading the dancing.

Another regular and member of the Playhouse family is John Elkington, who once again makes a fine baddie in the guise of Slurp, the giant’s henchman. He soon has the audience booing and hissing enthusiastically.

The whole cast are worthy of mention – Tim Frater as Danny and Kelly Edwards as Annie are both great entertainers with fine voices and dancing skills that wouldn’t go amiss on ‘Strictly’.

A glorious, glittering set, a troupe of very talented young dancers, a great band and this panto is guaranteed to be another resounding success.

Jack: Rebecca Little.
Danny: Tim Frater.
Annie: Kelly Edwards.
Dame Daisy: Kenneth Alan Taylor.
Slurp: John Elkington.
The Enchantress: Hannah Whittingham.
Mrs Blunderbore/Jack’s Father: Anthony Hoggard.
Giant Blunderbore: Daniel Hoffmann-Gill.
Chorus: Jade Alexis, Esme Bavington, Sophie Bond, Bethany Johnston, Lauren Pringle, Lucy Stanton Lynch, Phoebe Wallington, Millie Wilson/Charlotte Burrows, Ellie Hudswell, Erin Keogh, Mia McKenzie, Isabella Montgomery, Alicia Pears, Olivia Watson, Molly Thornton Watts.

Director: Kenneth Alan Taylor.
Designer: Tim Meacock.
Lighting: Jason Taylor.
Sound: Adam P McCready.
Musical Director: John Morton.
Choreographer/Assistant director: Adele Parry.
Dance Captain: Rebecca Little.
Associate lighting: Nick Morris.

The Chorus

Red Team
Jade Alexis, Esme Bavington, Sophie Bond, Bethany Johnston, Lauren Pringle, Lucy Stanton Lynch, Phoebe Wallington, Millie Wilson
Reserves: Jade Lee, Millie Mott

Blue Team
Charlotte Burrows, Ellie Hudswell, Erin Keogh, Mia McKenzie, Isabella Montgomery, Alicia Pears, Olivia Watson, Molly Thornton Watts
Reserves: Abbie Louise Coleman, Elise Paterson

2013-12-05 01:34:47