Sonia Jalaly's retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk has dropped the classic tale into a school in Hammersmith, where it takes on a decidedly modern tone. The story now revolves around Fleshcreep, a meat-loving monster who runs the institution with an iron fist, seeking to wipe children's minds clean of their imagination.
Director Nicholai La Barrie leans into the festive atmosphere, injecting the production with an infectious sparkle that permeates every aspect of the show. Fairy Godfather, played by Jade Hackett, is a standout in this production, bringing a commanding presence and warmth to her character. She effortlessly weaves together wizardry and wisdom, conjuring up a sense of wonder that is impossible to resist.
The fairy tale's familiar beats are tweaked to accommodate a more contemporary narrative, eschewing overt politics for lighthearted charm. While some may find this shift in tone jarring at times, the show remains engaging, thanks largely to Hackett's exceptional performance.
La Barrie's reliance on cheer and sparkle is admirable, as evident in Kayla Lomas-Kirton's choreography, which sends the stage into a dizzying disco ball frenzy. Joey James' portrayal of Jack is endearingly nervous, often hiding behind a sock puppet that struggles to make an impact. However, Sienna Widd's sassy Jill proves a more compelling foil to Fleshcreep's menace.
Partridge brings depth to his villainous role as Sam Harrison's dame, imbuing the character with sinister undertones. Even the audience can't help but be won over by her malevolence, rendering this a thoroughly entertaining pantomime experience.
Director Nicholai La Barrie leans into the festive atmosphere, injecting the production with an infectious sparkle that permeates every aspect of the show. Fairy Godfather, played by Jade Hackett, is a standout in this production, bringing a commanding presence and warmth to her character. She effortlessly weaves together wizardry and wisdom, conjuring up a sense of wonder that is impossible to resist.
The fairy tale's familiar beats are tweaked to accommodate a more contemporary narrative, eschewing overt politics for lighthearted charm. While some may find this shift in tone jarring at times, the show remains engaging, thanks largely to Hackett's exceptional performance.
La Barrie's reliance on cheer and sparkle is admirable, as evident in Kayla Lomas-Kirton's choreography, which sends the stage into a dizzying disco ball frenzy. Joey James' portrayal of Jack is endearingly nervous, often hiding behind a sock puppet that struggles to make an impact. However, Sienna Widd's sassy Jill proves a more compelling foil to Fleshcreep's menace.
Partridge brings depth to his villainous role as Sam Harrison's dame, imbuing the character with sinister undertones. Even the audience can't help but be won over by her malevolence, rendering this a thoroughly entertaining pantomime experience.
i think its kinda weird that they changed the classic beanstalk story into some psycho-fantasy thingy... like whats wrong with just telling the same old tale we know & love? 
fleshcreep sounds like somethin outta a bad dream lololol
– just code for 'trying too hard to be festive'. The cast is probably getting paid way more than they're worth for this cringeworthy production...
Just saw the modern retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk and I gotta say, it was a wild ride 
! Director Nicholai La Barrie brought so much sparkle to the production that it's infectious 
. The cast is amazing, Jade Hackett as Fairy Godfather steals the show with her commanding presence 
. But what I loved most is how they tweaked the classic tale to make it more relatable to kids today without losing the magic 
. It's not perfect, but it's definitely a fun twist on the old story 
. Also, why did they have to make Fleshcreep a meat-loving monster? That sounds kinda gross 
. Can someone explain the production design on that beanstalk thingy to me?
I loved how they balanced out the lighthearted tone with some dark vibes too, made it feel fresh but still festive! 
The cast's chemistry is on point, even that sock puppet couldn't save Joey James' Jack from being a bit meh 
had my back! 
But can we still have a good, old-fashioned scary pantomime without all the sugary sweetness? I guess that's just my old-school self talking 
...
fleshcreep as a meat-loving monster sounds like a hilarious twist, and jade hackett's fairy godfather character already has me sold 
i love that they're focusing on lighthearted charm instead of politics - it's so refreshing to see a pantomime production that's all about spreading joy 
kayla lomas-kirton's choreography sounds AMAZING, can't wait to see the disco ball frenzy 
what do you think of the cast?
but hey at least Jade Hackett is awesome as the fairy godfather! 
But seriously, the director Nicholai La Barrie did an amazing job bringing this modern take on the classic tale. That Fairy Godfather character Jade Hackett was ABSOLUTE PERFECTION 
and her presence totally made the whole show shine! 
but I gotta say, Joey James' sock puppet as Jack felt a bit...meh 
still, all in all, this modern retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk is totally worth checking out! 
. And Jade Hackett as Fairy Godfather? Sorted! She's always been a talented lass 
. I'm intrigued by this Kayla Lomas-Kirton chap's disco ball choreography... sounds like it'll get the kids dancing and having a right ol' knees-up 
. But, fair play to the whole cast for bringing some sparkle to what could've been a dark tale 
, but I love how the show still manages to bring out the magic 
, and that disco ball choreo? 
. I'm not mad about the tone shift at all 
, it just adds to the whimsy 
! 