Review: Jack and the Beanstalk at Sunderland Empire
Magic beans, golden eggs and vegan sausage rolls. Susan Wear enjoys a night in pantoland on Wearside
The Sunderland Empire trades on its West End credentials and this is a pantomime that lives up to those standards.
Jack and the Beanstalk winds its merry way through the absurdity of the story of a giant and his wicked henchman out to get – and eat – a hard-up mother, her two hapless sons and their cow, a King and a Princess.
It’s thanks only to the modern day take - a vegetarian fairy, a heroic princess and a vegan sausage roll – that they are saved to live happily ever after with their significant income provided by a gold-egg-laying hen.
Studded with songs, stars, eye-popping audio visuals, stunts and silly jokes, the story is brought to life brilliantly. The packed theatre of people of all ages screaming ‘oh no you didn’t’ , cheering and booing, is testament to the enduring popularity of this festive tradition.
And it’s a good thing too, for love them or loathe them, they’re not just a traditional family treat. Pantomimes everywhere are saving the day for cash-strapped theatres - and this one is an absolute treat.
The original script by Chris Fearn, adapted for Sunderland by Tom Whalley, might just have the world record for rapid-fire Christmas cracker jokes, many of which you might not have heard before.
The indefatigable Miss Rory, as the glamorous dame, Rorina Trott, steals the show, closely followed by Silly Simon (Tom Whalley) whose infectious energy and superb comedy timing had the young and not-so-young audience members bouncing in their seats.
There’s no weak link in the cast – with Emmerdale heartthrob Matthew Wolfenden playing Jack; Richard Meek as the villainous Fleshcreep; the delightful Millie Readshaw making her professional panto debut as the Vegetable Fairy; and the seasoned West End actors Emma Crossley (playing a feisty Princess Jill) and Gary Davis as King Cabbage.
They were all belting out the musical numbers unabashed by the occasional impromptu audience accompaniment. The operatic qualities of the voice of Gary Davis, as King Cabbage was just one of many surprises. The ensemble members were top of their game too and clearly enjoying themselves.
And I guess Daisy the cow deserves a mention too.
Director Victoria Grimby and the creative and technical team have created a visually exciting show full of all the traditional panto elements – lively choreography supported by the budding talent of local stage schools, recognisable songs, stunning costume changes, a messy muck up scene, the odd intentional mistake, and a glittering finale.
There were also some very effective scary 3D scenes and a giant beanstalk as well as the aforementioned barrage of excellent jokes… although a couple of the nearer the knuckle ones may have been a tad much for a family show.
As is an increasing trend for pantomimes, the production breaks away from some of the traditional stereotypes – in this one the princess is the heroine and does the fighting - and it’s not her love story either.
All in all, this is a panto made for Christmas, for the people of Sunderland and beyond. A welcome dollop of festive fun and joy in the midst of a scary world - and one which will hopefully inspire a life-long love of theatre in its young audience.
Oh yes it will. Long live panto!
Jack and the Beanstalk is at Sunderland Empire, until Sunday, January 5. Visit the website for tickets.