Jonny Awsum (as Billy Trott, left) and Tim Hudson (Dame Trott) in Jack And The Beanstalk, at the Waddon Theatre. Pictures by James Spicer
SRITHAN CHANDA found something for all ages at a not-to-be-missed production of Jack And The Beanstalk. Oh yes he did!
This year’s Croydon Pantomime at the Waddon Theatre, Jack And The Beanstalk, is a fabulous and entertaining show, especially for children, with a variety of songs and dances.
The plot of one of the most famous pantomimes is given a special twist, as it does not follow the original fairytale and it is a bit modernised. The show is remarkable and there are a lot of jokes to make you laugh.It is a classic tale of good v evil.
Glamorous: Tatoo Fixers’ Paisley Billings as the good fairy. Photo: James Spicer
It all begins with the entrance of a fairy in a glamorous outfit enters (Paisley Billings, from television’s Tattoo Fixers) who is on the good side, and her name is Kale.
However, on the evil side are the nasty Fleshcreeps and the blood-thirsty giant, called Blunderbore. This all takes place in a little town, called Croydonia, where Fleshcreeps forces the king to pay the taxes or he would take his daughter to his disgusting and smelly kingdom in the clouds to marry her.
Jack is the town’s only hope. His mother, Dame Trott and his brother, Silly Billy Trott (played by Jonny Awsum, a Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist) are both extremely funny in the show. Jack earns some beans in return for selling Daisy the cow. His angry mother throws them away into their back garden.
Evil: Steve Edwin plays the pantomime’s baddie, Fleshcreep. Photo: James Spicer
The next day, a towering beanstalk has grown at the back of Jack’s house. Carefully, Jack climbs the beanstalk and reaches Cloudland, Fleshcreep’s world. Will he be able to save the Princess?
In my opinion, this show is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and should not be missed. I guarantee you that you will enjoy it thoroughly.
I enjoyed Silly Billy Trott’s acting the most as he was the liveliest character and made many jokes. Dame Trott was also an interesting character as she was played by Tim Hudson in various funny costumes.
I would recommend this show for children from ages four to 11. The cast also interacts with the parents, which I think is fantastic so they do not get bored. They join in with different dances and the costumes were colourful and grand!
Srithan Chanda (pictured right at Sunday night’s performance of Jack And The Beanstalk), is 11 years old and attends Park Hill Junior School, where he is in Year 6.- Srithan and his family attended the panto as Inside Croydon’s guest reviewer, courtesy of tickets from producers Q Productions.
- Jack And The Beanstalk runs at the Waddon Theatre, at the Waddon Leisure Centre on Purley Way until Sunday, December 31. To book tickets, click here
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