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Jack & the Beanstalk
Theate Colwyn
Reviewed by Michael Carr
'Twas the week before Christmas and all through the land, children were
shouting... "He's behind you". Well they certainly were in Colwyn Bay, where we
were treated to a fantastic version of the timeless pantomime Jack & the
Beanstalk. The main difference with this production and the reason we drove over
200 miles each way to see it was that this was the first independent pantomime
staged by Stuart and Jane Loughland, better known as the illusion act Safire and
current joint presidents of the North Wales Magic Circle.
The venue was the newly refurbished Theate Colwyn which, as the oldest surviving
civic theatre in Wales, provided the perfect forum for this classic performance
genre, with all of the front of house staff making every member of the audience
feel welcome.
Each member of the cast added their own unique contribution to the show; Stuart
Loughland was outstanding as Dame Tilly Trott, while Jane added a touch of class
and glamour to the narrative role of Fairy Blossom. Other cast members included
Libby Edwards as Jill, Steve Bloor as Jack, Neil Scullard as the Evil Mr Creeper
and magical entertainer Marc Whincup as Squire Crumble who came into his own
with a routine utilising some of the younger members of the audience. The other
invaluable addition to the cast were the dancers from the Pearl Shaw School of
the Performing Arts who treated us to some excellent routines and only added to
the professional feel of the show. There were of course some excellently
performed magical elements including a wonderful UV section featuring Safire's
Magic Light puppets.
This was a great show and the audience left feeling thoroughly entertained. Just
tell me where and when for next year.
© Michael Carr AIMC, January 2012