There’s something about being in the audience at Panto time that’s makes you feel Christmas is well and truiy here. It’s also a chance for us older kids to throw caution to the wind, all inhibitions out the door, and really let go. Which is exactly what we did at the New Theatre in Cardiff for their festive feast JAC AND THE BEANSTALK.
The simple truth is, you’re never too old to enjoy pantomime and if anything is going to make you smile, it’s two hours in a theatre with some of your favourite people, both on and off stage.
The show takes the original storyline – Jac (the Cymru spelling), beans, giant, big chicken, feisty love interest Jill and of course the statutory cow, and throws a Welsh – 2023 twist into the tale, while keeping everything which makes the show traditional, wholesome and fun.
Birds of a Feather legend LESLEY JOSEPH leads the cast as The Spirit of the Beans. If you’ve seen Lesley in action recently in Sister Act, you’ll know what a fantastic on stage presence she is. I’m sure I’ve said this before but when Lesley appears, in a flash of Panto magic last night, you hear a little murmur fill the auditorium, and why wouldn’t it. She has been in our TV and entertainment lives for a lot of years now.
Lesley is superb and we got more than a smattering of Dorian in her performance, much to the delight of all us Birds OAF fans. She sang, danced and (pardon the pun) gave a spirited performance, particularly in the group routine at the end of the show.
I think it’s fair to call our Dame legendary as MIKE DOYLE reveals his alter ego Dame Trot. Mike is back for his tenth consecutive year and it wouldn’t be a Cardiff Panto without Mr Doyle in his splendid costumes, wigs and trademark catchphrase – ‘Alrighttt…‘
Incidentally, it’s exactly ten years since Jack and the Beanstalk was at the New Theatre and Mike was in that production back then with Julian Clary.
We caught up with some of the audience after last nights performance, including our ticket winner Beverly Godwin and her family. We also spoke to some of the cast, who were understandably as high as a beanstalk after such a fantastic reaction……
The Pantomime story is always in danger of going AWOL, especially with a cast who clearly get on so well. Throw into the mix an audience who are as unpredictable as they are vocal, and Mike Doyle in his glamorous outfits, who makes you want to laugh before he even speaks, and it could so easily turn into chaos. If were being honest, that’s what we love so much about these festive shows. But the cast walked that fine line brilliantly and never crossed between them having a fantastic time and always keeping it about us in the audience.
Perfect example is the hilarious tongue twister routine. I won’t spoil it by saying too much – it would be pointless anyway as it’ll be different when you see the show. How on earth the cast manage to get through it without dangerously tumbling right over that fine line I’ll never know. Kudos to them for keeping it going (almost) and thanks for what was a great pantomime moment.
Also in this years show is leading comedian and impressionist AARON JAMES as Silly Simon, who gets his moment to shine with his A to Z of impressions, and mighty fine they are too. Back for a third year, and fast becoming a Cardiff Panto regular is DENQUAR CHUPAK as Princess Jill who is the perfect love interest for Jac played by musical theatre star, ADAM BAILEY, who hails from Penarth.
I must give credit to the ultimate panto villain STEVE ARNOTT as Fleshcreep. He opens the show with a menacing few minutes which really sets his characters tone and had us all booing loudly every time he made an appearance – great job Steve.
You can watch our Meet The Cast Special – HERE.
As you return for the second half of the show you are given a pair of glasses for the 3D part of the show. I have to admit being a little worried about how a movie sequence would fit into a live action show. Let me tell you, it is a revelation. Definitely no spoilers here but it is perfectly choreographed, clever, funny and is a gigantic addition to this already glamorous, extravagant show. The highlight of the 3D is the audience reaction. You will scream, duck and dive, and be wiping snot from your hair for the rest of the night.
Jac can sometimes be a problematic story – the giant can be difficult to pull off, the Spirit has to be slotted into the story and of course there’s a massive beanstalk to manoeuvre on stage. This years pantomime does all of that brilliantly with the use of hi-tech staging and fantastic effects. But for those of you who are a little panto ‘old school’ you will not be disappointed.
Jac and the Beanstalk never once felt like its 2 hour plus running time. With all the brilliant characters, great sketches, dancing and singing, with some raucous accompaniment from us. The jokes were occasionally corny, but always funny, the local references came thick and fast and with a superb cast jokes and lots of booing, shouting and even a bit of Barbie music thrown in for good measure, I can tell you that Christmas has well and truly arrived.
So, in the spirit of all good reviews, let me suggest you grab a ticket, scoop up the family and head off for a fantastic time at the New Theatre. Even if you only have a house filled with big kids, take them along too, trust me the show will definitely deliver something for them too.
JAC AND THE BEANSTALK is at the New Theatre until Sunday 7th January 2024. For more information, or to book, visit HERE.
