Spectacle, magic, amazing illusions and Billy Pearce playing Jack - what a memorable pantomime it all makes. There is what seems an actual rain storm on stage, snow falling on the audience and a real helicopter suddenly appearing.
Comparing Pearce to the panto stars of the past does not do him sufficient justice. His rapport with the audience is astonishing and his comic physicality - his unique feature - simply defies description.
This Jack and the Beanstalk has the strongest cast for a Pearce pantomime so far. Jan Erik Brenner as a circus owner is a real find, despite meriting a mere two sentences in the programme. Fairy Leanne Jones has terrific presence and uses it, Jay Worthy is a villain with style, Gaynor Faye does much more than look smashing as Jill.
Tony Adams as Dame Trot has moments of severity but his warmth and wit will soon spread. More of his amiable self mockery will help.
A thrilling circus sequence, from the Efekt Crew of Romania, is over too quickly and the individual acts are not sensibly highlighted. A levitation from Gary, of the Twins illusionists, is easily missed.
The senior dancers must be the equal, and probably more, of any big budget pantomime anywhere.
Alhambra Theatre, Bradford, December 12-January 31
Production information can change over the run of the show.
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