Jack and the Beanstalk, Lichfield Garrick Theatre Review
Written by Samantha for Theatre and Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
This year’s pantomime has been written by Paul Hendy and produced in partnership with Evolution. Featuring well-known and much-loved local characters such as, Dame Trott (Sam Rabone), Fairy Sugarsnap (Gill Jordon), Billy Trott (Ben Thornton), Luke Backinanger (Joe Feeney), Jack Trott (Becky Sanneh), Dave the Talking Cow (Clarice Julianda), Jack and the Beanstalk is an English fairytale which has been around since the 1800s.
This adaptation finds Jack, a young girl living with her brother, her poor widowed mother and their family cow called Dave. The family’s only source of income is their dairy farm, with Dave being their main producer but there are low levels of milk being produced, so profits are slim. Jack sets out on an adventure to find a new owner for Dave in exchange for money. A Swedish blonde bombshell (aka Luke Backinanger in an obvious disguise) buys Dave with a bag of beans rather than the gold he promised Jack. Jack returns home with the bag, Dame Trott reveals the beans and a few moments later, a giant inflatable beanstalk pops out of a box.
This next bit is one of my favourite scenes from the show. Jack needs to climb the beanstalk but before she does that, we go into musical mode which I adored! A mash-up of Hamilton, Eminem and Les Mis was not on my 2024 Bingo card but thank you Lichfield for making that happen! The vocals and choreography had everyone clapping and cheering along – I was actually rapping along with Jack but let’s not steal her thunder!
Jack and co. make their way up the beanstalk and are greeted by Luke Backinanger and the giant. It’s not the oasis they were thinking it’d be, and they begin the big fight. The day is saved, and everyone can live forever.
The set has been beautifully designed by Helga Wood and Michelle Marden. As soon as you walk into the theatre, you are amazed by the bright colours and lighting, it really gets you into the Christmas spirit as it is aesthetically pleasing to look at. Once the show begins, the houses, the bridge and the sheet backgrounds transport you into the little town of Chucklemore which looks similar to a European Christmas market.
There were many occasions where I began wheezing from laughing so much due to the extremely corny jokes and random improv. I don’t think I have been in hysterics at a show in such a long time – I left with sore cheeks from smiling for over two hours.
This show is a giant success and will leave you laughing for longer than when Dame Trott got stuck in the dog tunnel! There’s plenty of discreet adult humour so it’s perfect for families and there’s lots of audience interaction. Make sure you warm up your vocal cords ahead of the show starting as you’ll need your best shouting and singing voices.
This Fe-Fi-Fo-Fun pantomime is at the Lichfield Garrick until 12 January 2025. Ticket availability is varied across all dates, so be quick and get yours from here today!
★★★★★