By Sally Churchward.
BANG!!!!
The Mayflower panto is back with a bang – literally.
Many audience members leapt out of their seats last night (17/12/24) when the show unexpectedly launched into a simulated peal of thunder, and we were off.
There was no hanging around as we charged straight into the plot – a baddie mega giant who wants to eat Dame Trot’s beloved cow – Pat (can you see what they did there?).
But never fear – Ashley Banjo and Diversity, are back for the second time in a row – aka Jack and his brothers, along with Kev Orkian as Silly Simon also making a very welcome return – and they aren’t going to let that happen.
This year’s show is a classic family panto, but with all the bells and whistles we’ve come to expect from the Mayflower’s big Christmas show.
This made for some jaw-dropping moments – the huge giant which loomed over the audience, the beanstalk growing out of the front of the stage before being scaled by Jack, and some breath-taking dancing.
But many of the real highlights were the less obviously flashy but expertly crafted and executed – and arguably more traditional – aspects of the show. It’s hard to explain just how clever and funny an extended conversation spoken in lengthening tongue-twisters is, so you’re going to have to take my word until you see it for yourself. Anne Smith as baddie Mrs Blunderbore was particularly impressive in this scene.
But probably the biggest crowd pleaser was a dialogue between Silly Simon and his mother Dame Trot (Matt Rixon), using snippets of popular songs – everything from Frozen tracks to Sir Mix-a-Lot’s big hit – descending into fart and poo jokes (always a win with kids).
Indeed pop culture jokes were a witty running feature of show and a crowd pleaser – the references were thick and fast – Greg Wallace, Titanic, Just Eat, Oasis reforming, Strictly, a TikTok dance craze and many, many repurposed songs, including Uptown Funk, Bad Guy and (I’ve Had) The Time of my Life.
The plot itself definitely plays second fiddle to the performances. In the first half, this is managed with a Royal Variety Performance taking place on stage, dispensing with any need for explanation for the action. At times the story itself feels rushed. It feels like the aim is to move onto the next dance routine or comedy skit, with narrative sacrificed. Some may find it hard to follow – blink and you’ll miss it in places. The second half of the show in particular would have benefited from being a little longer with more time given to plot development.
In many ways, the show was a vehicle for Diversity and the dance troupe more than rose to the occasion. Their routines really are spectacular. In addition, Ashley Banjo makes a charismatic leading man. Their every move was perfectly executed, from huge dance pieces which cleverly combined dramatic music and lighting with them moving in unison, to Ashley and fellow Diversity member Perri Kiely’s over the top danced entrances everytime they came on stage.
The panto also showcased the comedy and patter of Kev Orkian. Panto is a unique form of entertainment, tearing down the ‘fourth wall’, with audience participation, supposed accidents and asides, commenting on what’s unfolding on the stage. Orkian handled this perfectly with skill and a delicateness of touch that had the audience eating out of the palm of his hand from the moment he stepped on stage.
Jack and the Beanstalk is an audience pleasing family-panto. If you’re looking for an all round night of excellent seasonal entertainment, like Jack’s beanstalk, this show definitely rises to the occasion.
Tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk (runs until Sunday 5 January 2025) are on sale at mayflower.org.uk or 02380 711811.
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