JACK AND
THE BEANSTALK
Directed
by Barbara Wilcox
CAST
Idle Jack - Rachel Brennan
Princess Rose - Clare Musgrave
Dame Trott - Brian Clarke
Dozy Den - Alan Levesley
Buttercup - Adam Lea & Emma Boyle
Fairy Beansprout - Wyn Tootell
Poison Ivan - Allan Mayer
The King - Ben Mayo
Prime Minister - David Hartley
Giant Bluderbore - Nick Ainsworth
Giant's Housekeeper - Judith Colley
Rose Grime, John Ginty, Darren Houghton, Liberty Brian,
Chloe Martindale, Georgia Taylor, Millie Kenworthy, Ellisha
Shawcross, Alexandra Brown, Emily Jones
Rachel Deakin, Libby Burke, Catherine Gelder, Olivia Odudu,
Hannah Johnson, Kate Burke, Sally Aitkenhead, Nicola
Stringfellow, Lauren Finch, Sam Wright,
Chorley
Guardian review by Vanessa Taylor. 13 December 2006
You don't want to miss this! For a fabulously funny night
out with all the family, then head down to Chorley Little
Theatre.
The cast of Cados are currently performing a rip-roaring
panto Jack and the Beanstalk and if you've not yet got your
ticket, then hurry, because there aren't many left and it
is a show not to be missed.
The opening night had its fair share of hiccups but all
were ones which could easily be ironed out for the rest of
the week as the cast get into the swing of things. And
some, such as an expected noise off stage unexpectedly not
happening, the loss of microphones and side scenery turning
once the scene had changed, caused their own laughs.
But one which certainly needed addressing was the delay
between the scenes which meant the first night show did not
end until 10.20pm. However, everyone in the audience was
having such a good time, it was only on leaving the
building you realised how late it was.
The panto was brought right up to date with modern music
which had everyone clapping along yet there was also the
chance to sing-along - and do the actions - in true panto
tradition!
The whole cast of the show was excellent and really got the
audience rocking.
Rachel Brennan shrugged off early nerves to put on a
fantastic performance as the easily-led Jack. She brought a
great deal of character to the role and her face was full
of expression.
Allan Mayer had the audience booing and hissing with gusto
as he played the baddie Poison Ivy with real passion.
Brian Clarke, the show's producer, was a perfect Dame Trott
and Alan Leavesley was fantastic as the village idiot Dozy
Den whose facial contortions had to be seen to be believed.
Ben Mayo and David Hartley were hilarious as the King and
Prime Minister, Claire Musgrave made a lovely Princess
Rose, and Judith Colley as the giant's housekeeper and Wyn
Tootell as the Fairy Beansprout, were good.
Nick Ainsworth's booming voice as the giant made everyone
jump every time he spoke, and the dancers, the chorus and
the costumes were delightful.
The panto was yet another winner for Cados, director
Barbara Wilcox and choreographer Rebecca Dickinson.
