Review: Nottingham Playhouse’s annual festive pantomime Jack and The Beanstalk
Ay up me ducks — it’s that time of year again. Nottingham Playhouse’s legendary panto is back on stage, and just as brilliant as ever.
I always jump at the chance review the Playhouse’s pantomime — this year Jack and The Beanstalk — because I maintain that it simply must be one of the best in all the land.
It’s hard to imagine a production surpassing it. It’s both a belly-laugh inducing masterclass in comedy and a one-stop shop lesson in Nottingham culture — and perhaps, as someone born and raised in the area, that’s what makes it so enjoyable.
Featuring everything from cream in Dame Daisy Trott’s knickers after a ice cream machine goes haywire, a surprise appearance from Claudia Winkleman (kind of), to Sir Ian McKellen’s voice as Giant Blunderbore, there’s plenty of jokes for even the youngest audience members and some ruder humour for the grown-ups (who if they’re from Gedling, apparently taste like mushy peas!).
We all know the story of Jack and The Beanstalk, and this is a supersize retelling — lots of glitter, big song and dance numbers — think Oasis, Chappell Roan and more — a giant giant, and an even larger beanstalk.
I was also delighted to see the return of one of my favourite numbers from previous pantos, ‘If I was not upon the stage’, which is so rambunctiously silly you can’t help but laugh.
Lots of familiar faces return to the production this year, including everyone’s favourite panto dame John Elkington who is now in his 26th year at the venue. As usual, dressed to the nines in everything from fruit baskets and ice cream cones, to fur coats and diamante tops as Dame Daisy Trott, he masters comedic timing and dishes out saucy one liners like he was born to do it.
Jack and The Beanstalk also sees the return of last year’s award-winning Cinderella star Jewelle Hutchinson as Jill, Tom Hopcroft in his first villain role as Fleshcreep, and Alice Redmond is back as Pat the Cow.
Finton Flynn serves up a star performance as Jack, belting out brilliant tunes alongside Bradley Judge as the hapless but loveable Silly Billy.
It was also lovely to see sign language incorporated throughout the production, in song, dance and every line Caroline Parker spoke as the Fairy Godmother.
The professional actors are all backed up by the brilliant live band under the musical direction of John Morton, and a talented troupe of youngsters in the Youth Chorus, who play everything from dancing chickens to Fleshcreep’s henchmen.
Credit must also go to the creative team behind the scenes, who without fail rustle up the most magical setting for the show, incorporating little nods to Nottingham such as the 360 degrees coffee stall and the left lion at the market place.
As usual a Nottingham City Transport double decker bus also makes an appearance, as sponsors of the show.
Prepare to laugh until your sides hurt, cheer and boo, and be injected with the festive spirit as the show wraps up with a glitzy winter wedding.
Jack and The Beanstalk runs at Nottingham Playhouse until January 18, 2025.
