REVIEW
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
Jack and the Beanstalk
Towngate Theatre Basildon
28 November 2024 - 5 January 2025
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
Jack and the Beanstalk
Towngate Theatre Basildon
28 November 2024 - 5 January 2025
The Towngate Theatre Basildon have done it again - headed by the panto legends that are Sophie Ladds and Ian Hallard this is one Jack and the Beanstalk that you won’t want to miss.
The Basildon theatre has become renowned for its epic pantomimes and this year is no exception. The only difference is that this year the team have linked up with Evolution HQ to co-produce and it has been written by Paul Hendy who, it has to be said, must be the owner of the world’s biggest book of corny jokes, as this production is jam packed full of them - good and a lot groany!
That said, this panto kind of spins itself on its head by kicking off with a song proclaiming that the best panto is the ‘One and Only Towngate Theatre Pantomime’. But just how has it become so fabulous? Well, ‘ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, they, thems,' and everyone in-between, as the chirpy Fairy (Sophia Ragavelas) explains to us at the top of the show and faced with an unusually empty stage, it’s because of all the set designers, actors, musicians, stage technicians et al, that put in all the hard work, to make a panto work. And so, with a magical wave of her wand, all of these amazing people are conjured on to the stage, the scenery is dropped, MD Matthew Reeve strikes up the band, and the show is ready to be performed. TA DA! Clever stuff.
The Basildon theatre has become renowned for its epic pantomimes and this year is no exception. The only difference is that this year the team have linked up with Evolution HQ to co-produce and it has been written by Paul Hendy who, it has to be said, must be the owner of the world’s biggest book of corny jokes, as this production is jam packed full of them - good and a lot groany!
That said, this panto kind of spins itself on its head by kicking off with a song proclaiming that the best panto is the ‘One and Only Towngate Theatre Pantomime’. But just how has it become so fabulous? Well, ‘ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, they, thems,' and everyone in-between, as the chirpy Fairy (Sophia Ragavelas) explains to us at the top of the show and faced with an unusually empty stage, it’s because of all the set designers, actors, musicians, stage technicians et al, that put in all the hard work, to make a panto work. And so, with a magical wave of her wand, all of these amazing people are conjured on to the stage, the scenery is dropped, MD Matthew Reeve strikes up the band, and the show is ready to be performed. TA DA! Clever stuff.
This storyline of Jack and the Beanstalk is fairly close to the traditional one except the baddie in this case is Luka Backinanger (geddit?) played in true eastern European accented splendidness by Sophie Ladds, who has the amazing ability to send herself up hilariously as the villain of the piece. She is allegedly working for the Giant, who has a weather making machine which has the power to destroy the climate, in a slight plot twist from the original.
The favourites are of course still here and we are introduced to Jack and his brother Billy and their mum Dame Trott, as well as Jack’s friend Jess, who all become ensconced in trying to save the climate and thwart Backinanger and the Giant.
Aiden Banyard plays Jack as a bit of a drip but certainly comes into his own when he gets a chance to sing, displaying some knock out vocals; not least when he sings the Elton John number, ‘Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word’, despite being completely upstaged by Dame Trott dressed as Elton. Ashley Cavender does a nice turn as Silly Billy keeping everyone in order and Alice Hoult is a lovely Jill who also gets to show off some super vocals too.
Trott, of course is the one who keeps the show rolling along and keeps everyone giggling. Hallard, playing Trott, shows off some outrageously fabulous costumes and keeps the chaps in the audience on their toes, more so this year as the lucky man to get picked as a token of Mrs Trott’s affections could be anywhere in the audience, thanks to the ‘Drone of Love’ which hovers over the audience and sets its sights on an unsuspecting victim. On press night, it found Aston, who actually seemed to comfortably embrace the attention and played along like a pro. Hallard effortlessly keeps the energy of the show flowing and can make even the corniest joke work with a knowing look and a cheeky smile to the audience. The skit in the weather machine/shower is wonderfully bonkers and had the audience in stitches. The dog sketch is also very clever and as the owner of the breed of dog at the end of it myself, had a feeling of what was coming! It was also lovely to see Rita the dog almost stealing the show. I’m not usually a fan of having animals on stage but you could see that Rita (aka Bob) was really happy to be there and that she was getting lots of love from the cast.
The favourites are of course still here and we are introduced to Jack and his brother Billy and their mum Dame Trott, as well as Jack’s friend Jess, who all become ensconced in trying to save the climate and thwart Backinanger and the Giant.
Aiden Banyard plays Jack as a bit of a drip but certainly comes into his own when he gets a chance to sing, displaying some knock out vocals; not least when he sings the Elton John number, ‘Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word’, despite being completely upstaged by Dame Trott dressed as Elton. Ashley Cavender does a nice turn as Silly Billy keeping everyone in order and Alice Hoult is a lovely Jill who also gets to show off some super vocals too.
Trott, of course is the one who keeps the show rolling along and keeps everyone giggling. Hallard, playing Trott, shows off some outrageously fabulous costumes and keeps the chaps in the audience on their toes, more so this year as the lucky man to get picked as a token of Mrs Trott’s affections could be anywhere in the audience, thanks to the ‘Drone of Love’ which hovers over the audience and sets its sights on an unsuspecting victim. On press night, it found Aston, who actually seemed to comfortably embrace the attention and played along like a pro. Hallard effortlessly keeps the energy of the show flowing and can make even the corniest joke work with a knowing look and a cheeky smile to the audience. The skit in the weather machine/shower is wonderfully bonkers and had the audience in stitches. The dog sketch is also very clever and as the owner of the breed of dog at the end of it myself, had a feeling of what was coming! It was also lovely to see Rita the dog almost stealing the show. I’m not usually a fan of having animals on stage but you could see that Rita (aka Bob) was really happy to be there and that she was getting lots of love from the cast.
Sophie Ladds, as ever, is one of the best panto villains you’ll ever come across and again proves how she has become one of the best in the industry. You’ll be hard pushed to find a better villain in any panto and this time she even has a creditable back-story as to why she’s so evil. Dressed as Swedish Helga in one scene she was laugh at loud hilarious.
Along with a wonderful ensemble, who produce some fabulous singing and dancing routines thanks to choreographer Pippa Holliday, Jack and the Beanstalk won’t take long to grow on you. A special shout out to Pat the Cow who also gets to do some pretty impressive dancing too. Probably one of the best performing panto cows I’ve seen. There are some great numbers with songs that will entertain all generations in the audience from ‘Bring Me Sunshine’ to ‘My Shot’ from the musical Hamilton, and an impressive routine from Ladds and the cast with Mrs Darkside (Mr Brightside). Sophia Ragvelas as the Fairy also gets a beautiful number with the flowers that make the beanstalk grow.
I almost felt that there was a deliberate sense of parody for this panto which gives it an extra edge. Without doubt, Jack and the Beanstalk can definitely claim to be amongst the best ‘One and Only Towngate Theatre Pantomine’ and is not to be missed!
Review: Kim Tobin
Along with a wonderful ensemble, who produce some fabulous singing and dancing routines thanks to choreographer Pippa Holliday, Jack and the Beanstalk won’t take long to grow on you. A special shout out to Pat the Cow who also gets to do some pretty impressive dancing too. Probably one of the best performing panto cows I’ve seen. There are some great numbers with songs that will entertain all generations in the audience from ‘Bring Me Sunshine’ to ‘My Shot’ from the musical Hamilton, and an impressive routine from Ladds and the cast with Mrs Darkside (Mr Brightside). Sophia Ragvelas as the Fairy also gets a beautiful number with the flowers that make the beanstalk grow.
I almost felt that there was a deliberate sense of parody for this panto which gives it an extra edge. Without doubt, Jack and the Beanstalk can definitely claim to be amongst the best ‘One and Only Towngate Theatre Pantomine’ and is not to be missed!
Review: Kim Tobin
All Photos: Carmel Jane Photography
ASK THE AUDIENCE
Lisa, 50 (ish) Chadwell St Mary, Essex
"I really enjoyed it. It was brilliant. I think that Sophie Ladds singing in a foreign accent is so clever!"
"I really enjoyed it. It was brilliant. I think that Sophie Ladds singing in a foreign accent is so clever!"
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Lailaa, 10, Tilbury, Essex "I had a really great time. I thought it was the best one yet. I loved Dame Trott, she was really funny." |
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