Pantomime season is well and truly underway (oh no it isn’t…), and this year it’s the turn of Jack and the Beanstalk to bring Christmas joy to York Theatre Royal. With the promise of laughter, music, and a talking cow, the excitement on press night was palpable – and the cast and crew certainly delivered.
Nina Wadia, this year’s headliner, was the first to take to the stage as Fairy Sugarsnap, with her dialogue of rhyming couplets introducing the tale. Her comedic timing – from political satire to interjections of previous acting roles – shone from the very opening; her interactions with the audience made sure that every entrance of hers was rewarded with rounds of applause. The same goes for Billy, played by Matthew Curnier, who brought many a smile to the auditorium, even in the tensest moments of the performance. His ‘balloon scene’ (which saw Billy jump around the stage whilst stuck inside the inflatable) was a particular highlight, ensuring that the humour of the show appealed to adults and children alike.
Staying true to the traditional tale in some regards, this re-telling also had a more modern, environmental lean, with the threat of the giant’s weather-changing machine looming over the cast. Despite its name being a tongue-twister: “auto-thermo-climatological weather-making machine”, it quickly became the central theme, established after antagonist Luke Backinanger’s sinister introduction. Played by James McKenzie, there was a somewhat touching backstory to the villain’s arc, yet these more sentimental moments were well-balanced with the classic evil tropes we’d expect from a panto baddie.
The energetic Jack Trott, portrayed by recent graduate Mia Overfield, took centre stage in leading the fight against the giant. Always quick to captivate the audience in the attempt to save the village, her role as the heroine brought a much-needed hope to rival Backinanger’s menace. Despite a glimpse of doubt in the closing moments, she was able to rely on her fellow characters to bring the show to its happy ending.
Along the way, York panto regular Robin Simpson – in the ever-engaging role of Dame Trott – was often subjected to the enduring exaggerations of panto, finding himself doused in water whilst trying to navigate the perils of Cloud Land. With costumes ranging from Clifford’s Tower to Elton John, a particular stand-out moment was the obstacle course with Zeus the Dog, which, as pantomime would suggest, didn’t go quite as the Dame might have intended.
A new moo-ve for the show, Dave the Talking Cow, brought to life by Anna Sodden, was a figure of bovine brilliance throughout. At times, whilst producing no more than an emotional ‘moo’, her balance of the anthropomorphic created a much-loved sidekick, while her echoing of character’s lines furthered the hilarity of the show. Showing a more human side, her tearful reunion with Dame Trott toward the end of Act Two was a heartwarming moment, giving a much needed contrast to the perils of the Giant and the ongoing weather-changing plot in Cloudland.
Interjections from younger members of the audience, whilst testing the composure of the cast, only made the evening all the more entertaining, and certainly created some Christmas spirit. Congratulations to all the cast and crew, and best of luck with the rest of the run.
Editor's Note: This performance of Jack and the Beanstalk was enjoyed on 12 December 2023 at York Theatre Royal. The run continues until 7 Jan 2024, tickets can be purchased here: https://www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/show/jack-and-the-beanstalk/