Archived Shows

Jack and the Beanstalk Gallery PhotosShow ReviewsTheatre Website

Jack and the Beanstalk
Aylesbury: Civic Centre

08 December 2009 to 30 December 2009

Sue Hodge ("'Allo 'Allo!")
Chris Till (CITV & GMTV’s "Fun Song Factory")
Richard Carr (Bucks TV)
Terry Gleed
Phillip Armstrong
Janine Pardo
Robert Breslin
Tim Pont
Rudi Last
Josh Wilmott

Director Mark Piper
Musical director Keith Paddington Richards
Choreographed by Taira Foo

Photo Gallery

Production photograph
Production photograph
Production photograph
Production photograph
Production photograph
Production photograph
Production photograph
Production photograph
Production photograph
Production photograph
Production photograph
Production photograph
Production photograph
Production photograph
Production photograph
Production photograph
Production photograph
Production photograph
Production photograph
Production photograph

Reviews

A giant of a pantomime - and for once it proved to be no exaggeration!

Encore Magazine - 11 December 2009

The cover of the programme boldy describes the show as a Giant of a pantomime, and for once, it proved to be no exaggeration. Superb costumes combined with imaginative stage sets, paint the on-stage picture, but it is the characters who rise to the occasion. Seldom have I seen such a wellcast production with each player fitting their respective roles to perfection. It would be a tad unfair to hightlight any single one for they are all, collectively, excellent but nevertheless, standing out to me was the lovable Terry Gleed as a camp Simple Simon. A warm, funny and human performance that was a joy to behold… Read more...

Venue goes out on a high

Scott Matthewman, The Stage - 14 December 2009

Continued delays at Aylesbury's Waterside Theatre mean that the nearby Civic Centre is now on its third, and probably final 'last' performance before demolition. It certainly produced one enabling the venue to go out on a high… Read more...

A giant of a pantomime - and for once it proved to be no exaggeration!

Encore Magazine

11 December 2009

The cover of the programme boldy describes the show as a Giant of a pantomime, and for once, it proved to be no exaggeration. Superb costumes combined with imaginative stage sets, paint the on-stage picture, but it is the characters who rise to the occasion. Seldom have I seen such a wellcast production with each player fitting their respective roles to perfection. It would be a tad unfair to hightlight any single one for they are all, collectively, excellent but nevertheless, standing out to me was the lovable Terry Gleed as a camp Simple Simon. A warm, funny and human performance that was a joy to behold.

On the other end of the scale was the wicked, nasty Fleshcreep, beautifully portrayed by Robert Breslin. A real, live 'heavy' if ever I saw one!

Sue Hodge, known for her performances in TV's 'Allo, 'Allo, sparkled as Fairy Organic, Phillip Armstrong was quite outrageous as Dame Trott and Richard Humble (King Crumble) proved that even royals can have a giggle.

The love interest was shared between Jack Trott (Chris Till) and Princess Amelia (Janine Pardo) and both looked good and sang equally well but it was left to the Giant Blunderbore, well operated by Tim Pont, and Daisy the Cow whose manipulators perfer to remain anonymous, to thrill the audience into stunned silence. Not an easy task!

Well produced, well directed, well written (by Paul Holman & Keith Simmons) and well done to everyone concerned!
Need I say more?

Close

Venue goes out on a high

Scott Matthewman, The Stage

14 December 2009

Continued delays at Aylesbury's Waterside Theatre mean that the nearby Civic Centre is now on its third, and probably final 'last' performance before demolition. It certainly produced one enabling the venue to go out on a high.

Philip Armstrong is a panto powerhouse as Dame Trott, able to change into the next increasingly bizarre costume in the blink of an eye, while on stage amusing the children and delivering a stream of risque banter for the grown-ups to appreciate. Combined with comic turn Terry Gleed's ability to keep even the tiniest youngster enthralled in the action and Sue Hodge's linking narration as Fairy Organic, the pace is kept up throughout.

Less successful are romantic leads Chris Till and Janine Pardo, despite good vocal performances. As henchman Fleshcreep, Robert Breslin is suitably demonic and provides plenty of opportunities for the usual boo and hiss moments. Given a solo vocal number at the head of the second act, though, he reveals an impressive voice that provides the musical highlight of the show and leaves one feeling disappointed his talent is not used more throughout.

As in so many versions of Jack and the Beanstalk, the giant himself is the weakest link, but with so many fine performances on stage, the audience cares little.

Close
Close