Reviewed by The Magic Hatter
To beat the January blues, I donned my festive shirt and went to Harrogate Theatre for a bit of fe-fo-FUN with my family!
Our first visit, it quickly became clear this isn’t a panto that relies on celebrities or reality TV has-beans (see what I did there?), although Tim Steadman has carved a name for himself by performing in the show for nineteen years. Part Lee Evans, park Frank Spencer, part Norman Wisdom, he plays ‘Sporty’ Simon Trott with a child-like enthusiasm and oodles of naive charm. My eldest (5 years old) loved him, and even my youngest (2 years) was waving and shouting ‘hello Simon’.
He has that broad family appeal and treats his picked-out adult volunteer gently; never making jokes at his expense, and even rewarding him with a cuddly toy! The sporting theme ties all the jokes together nicely, and serves up a catchy callback that kids – and big kids – love to join in with!
They say the whole world loves a dame, so what to make of Tilly Trot played by Howard Chadwick? A hint of Biggins, a dash of Mr Tumble’s Aunt Polly, and an outlandish wardrobe of fabulous frocks!
In such an ensemble performance, the dame here isn’t overbearing (in some pantos the show is essentially a vehicle for the dame, who often writes and directs too) Trot has her moments, many in fact, but without stealing the limelight. A strong and well-rounded performance without ever resorting to smut.
Harrogate’s Fairy of the Forest – played by Polly Smith – is fun and funky, and more street than sweet. She’s not the only performer to play two roles, and does so brilliantly with a sharp contrast! It took me a while to realise that Morag the Cook was previously a flitting, fettling fairy!
George Telfer’s Fleshcreep is understated, and I’m not sure ever really scared the children but actually, this is a positive! I’ve been at so many shows where young children have been reduced to tears by an all-too-menacing baddie. He still commands boos and jeers, and paves the way for a truly gigantic giant later. Alternating as Fleshcreep and King Bumble, there are some swift costume changes and George seems to relish the versatility between roles.
Jack and Jill went up the hill, and Jack came down as Jacqueline! Yes, in this story Harriett Hare exercises her girl power as the title hero, or heroine. Whether chopping down the beanstalk or belting a Greatest Showman hit, she’s feisty and fun. Princess Jill aka Christina Harris, excels vocally and exudes plenty of energy and panto panache. It’s refreshing to see the usual love story take a backseat in favour of more action and slapstick.
Highlights? Act Two opens with an inspired puppet routine, with fairy as commentator! A messy makeover routine is a great set-piece, and “If I was not a dairy hand…” is fast-paced panto brilliance! But it’s the polish, the sparkle and the talent that really shines – in a show that is often inventive, clever and expertly crafted. This is a pantomime that tosses out most of the tired and traditional, in favour of fresh and original.
I did however miss Simon getting children up on stage, and think Tim would have handled their unpredictably with hilarious results. My only other quibble was the 5pm time of our performance, making teatime tricky unless you live very locally. It would’ve been a problem if we had normal 9-5 jobs too. However, it did at least mean an earlier night for two content but tired children!
For me, this is a pantomime of bests. The best panto cow, a highlight of a heifer! The best beanstalk, a feat of theatrical magic. The biggest, baddest and best giant. Although some of the jokes have passed their best-before!
In a season that has seen some pantomimes shorten their runs, Jack and the Beanstalk continues until January 20th, and our performance was sold out. This is surely a testament to the following the show has gained over the years. Great song choices, slick production values, local references and more jokes than you can shake a stalk at! Truly one of the best we’ve seen, writer and director Phil Lowe has created a panto of GIANT proportions!
It may have BEAN our first visit, but we’ll be back for Snow White in December…and that’s SNOW joke!
HATTER’S HINTS
- Book early to secure the best seats, this is a popular show!
- Parking seems limited close to theatre, so plan ahead and allow extra time. We parked in a nearby multi-storey car park but it was very busy.
- Bring cash for the usual ice-creams, programmes and merchandise. A collection towards theatre renovation is also taken at the end of the show.
- The Balcony level front row has a slightly restricted view because of the balustrade, and booster cushions didn’t seem to be available – so lower levels may be more suited to young children.
MAGIC RATING 
VALUE FOR MONEY 
OVERALL 
Tickets can be booked online at www.harrogatetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/Jack-and-the-Beanstalk-Magical-Family-Pantomime
Disclaimer: Tickets were provided for this performance, however all opinions are honest and are our own.
Review Wizard 