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A SPARKLING treat was in store for the audience at the opening night of
Jack and the Beanstalk at Paignton's Palace Theatre.
The magnificent cast sprinkled liberal helpings of panto
magic over the packed theatre.
This first class production embraced
all of the usual pantomime trappings, and the audience loved it.
Gags flowed fast and furious from
curtain up and the actors whipped children and adults into an animated frenzy.
Directed by lain Douglas, the festive show features a host of
talented amateur actors from South Devon with powerhouse vocalist Dean Breyley
in the lead role of Jack Trot.
Newcomer Coombeshead
College student Claire Drury was superb as
Jill opposite Dean, and Alan Wagstaff as Dame Trot was a true professional and
looked fantastic in the widow's outrageous collection of costumes.
Husband and
wife team Colin and Rae Gilderthorp locked horns in a
battle of good and evil.
Boos and hisses were saved for Colin as the villain Fleshcreep, Giant
Blunderbore's sidekick and arch enemy of the village of Merrydale, who was outwitted in the end with
little help from Rae as Fairy Moonbeam.
The talents of Jonathan Hunt as Silly
Billy shone through, and Matt Bones as the giant was a sight to behold.
My
favourite has to be the endearing Daisy the Cow, aka Jane Stephens and Katie
Shepherd, who obviously has a glittering future on the stage ahead of her.
Colourful
costumes, great dance routines and lots of songs from the all-singing, all-dancing
performers was the icing on the cake of this spectacular show.
It's a winner
and you should definitely go and see it.
Jack and the beanstalk runs at the
Palace Theatre until January 8. For tickets phone the box office on 01803
665800.
Ginny Ware
Herald Express
28th December 2004
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