Hall For Cornwall, Truro, Cornwall – until the 31st December 2024
Reviewed by Kerry Gilbert
5*****
Fee – Fi – Fo – Fum, a festive treat for Everyone!
Get ready for a giant pantomime fairytale extravaganza laced with Cornish spirit and all the festive fun you’d expect from Jack and the Beanstalk. Starring the Kernow King himself Edward Rowe, who plays his bucket list role of Dame Trott alongside a cast of homegrown heroes and West End wonders. Jack and the Beanstalk is perfect for children of all ages (grown – ups and grandparents!).
Written once again by Steve Marmion (Peter Pan, Treasure Island) and led by director and all round pantomime expert Joyce Branagh, they’ve reassembled the Cornwall Playhouse Productions team who brought you last year’s record-breaking smash Peter Pan.
Expect song and dance adventure as hero Jack (Patrick Dineen) his dear mum (Kernow King) and their beloved cow chuck caution (and magic beans) to the wind in a last ditch attempt to save their village from the wicked giant. With songs you’ll know, a sack full of jokes, flying sweets, super-soakers, plenty of Cornish humour and more fairy infused fun than you can shake a beanstalk at, it’s time to set off on an unforgettable festive family feel good adventure.
The atmosphere was lively, with everyone getting involved. The hilarious 12 days of Christmas was undoubtedly a hit with the audience and my favourite part – with lyric changes to French men, Newquay lifeguards, Cornish pasties, 5 toilet rolls, Super-soakers (be prepared!) and a Penguin with a balloon! Followed by a rendition of Trelawny (Anthem of Cornwall) led by Dame Trott with the adults in the audience singing proudly and loudly! Some song lyrics were changed such as Moos like Jagga (the cow) which was very funny with the cow and cast dancing on stage! There was lots of audience involvement which the children and adults absolutely loved, with a sing off singing the Cornish version of Heads, shoulders, knees and toes – Scone, Jam, cream on top, cream on top!
The set design and costumes were truly fabulous, with the Giant standing at around 10 ft tall and the beanstalk rising from the stage, and Jack climbing it was remarkable.
No pantomime is complete without a wicked baddie, and Susannah Van Den Berg was excellent taking on the role of Judi Henchman. Other Cornish cast members include, Gareth Cooper, Charlotte Rutherfoord, Aidan Nightingale and Colin Leggo. The pantomime will also feature new talent Shen Leng Chow and Patrick Dineen, alongside West End talent Freya Karlettis and Jessica Manu.
A truly heartwarming pantomime which will entertain and complete the Cornish Christmas – I’d highly recommend going to see this whilst you can!