Jack and the Beanstalk

Published Friday 28 December 2007 at 17:10 by Kevin Berry

There are roars for Cannon and Ball and sighs of appreciation for television heart-throb Dan O’Connor, but it is a struggle for the dispassionate observer to get excited about this pantomime.

Cannon and Ball’s antics will please their fans. They try their hands at the traditional pantomime plate-catching scene and work it to maximum effect. Their banter with fans in the front stalls is as cheeky as ever and has the entire theatre laughing.

Neighbours actor O’Connor plays Jack. He is willing enough and charming enough, in a gauche way, but too much is being asked of him. His stagecraft is raw.

Emily Trebicki’s Fairy teases the story along with playful enthusiasm. This despite being handicapped with a plot device that means she cannot be seen, at certain times, by certain other members of the cast. Confusing? It certainly is. Also confusing is how the Giant, a marvellous creation, manages to get shrunk to the size of a villager.

Ah well. A happy ever after ending at least. Let’s hope that this pantomime takes on some spirit. It is colourful enough, despite having unimaginative lighting, and it could be lively enough. The dancers are certainly up for it.