Has the colour, magic and interest of a child's pop-up book!

Kevin Berry from The Stage

04 December 2012

Now that the City Varieties Music Hall has opted for a regular rock’n’roll pantomime, the Carriageworks is the one place to go to in Leeds for traditional panto entertainment. There is a loyal audience, built up over many a Christmas at the old Civic Theatre (which the Carriageworks replaced). This audience expects to join in and it does.

Jack And The Beanstalk has the colour, magic and interest of a child’s pop-up story book. There is adventure and fun. Marshall Lancaster makes an exciting Fleshcreep, bringing strong acting skills to the role.

The fun is in the hands of Jez Edwards, making his fourth consecutive appearance here. On stage with Steve Bruus, who is also the king, he has a slosh scene so beautifully timed that children are in fits of giggles even before the sloshing starts. Children so rarely see comedy like this. They will never have heard of Laurel and Hardy.

Super dancing, from vocational students at the nearby SLP College, adds to the visual impact and the standard of performance. This is a traditional pantomime which has a commendable freshness in the staging.