Jack and the Beanstalk

Hucknall Dispatch - January 2004

Far from wilting, this beanstalk definitely flourished..

By Ben Padley

ALWAYS a firm favourite with the kids, 'Jack and the Beanstalk' was an apt choice for the Hucknall Community Theatre Group's 2004 Panto. Because it was almost 10 years to the day since they last performed the popular story. And the production, by veteran Andrew Cameron, was a treat for adults and children alike. Brilliant fun and laced with fine comic acting. The rags to riches tale of Jack Trott's great adventure takes him from a sleepy village up the famous beanstalk to the Giant's Kingdom.

In the starring role of the thigh-slapping hero Jack, 23-year-old Lorraine Pearson gave a solid performance. She was joined by the hilarious knock-about duo. Billy (Mark Barrett) and Wally (Ryan Martinez), who could easily work in children's television, such was their boundless energy. Cameron himself was outrageously camp as Mrs Trott, courtesy of superb over the top acting, make-up and costumes.

The wicked Squire (Andy Godber) and his sidekick Grusum (Rob Price) showed just enough menance, receiving many boos from a near full house. And there were also strong performances from Fairy (Jo Harris) and the Imp (Layla Whitefoot), as well as Patty (Tom Burton), Hag (Maeve Price) and the Giant's Mummy (Linda Mayes).

Meanwhile Chelsea Harros would not be disappointed at her performance of the Harp being described as very static! Richard Turner performed well as the King, as did Amelia Bailey as the Princess. While Jessica Wall was well cast as trapped housekeeper Mrs Hipkins. Mention must also go to the dancers, villagers and pupils, plus of course, Daisy The Cow, played by Nick Green and Robyn Harwood.

The sets, costumes and music were all imaginative. And the problem of how to portray the Giant (Joe Castellani) was solved by using two huge legs.

The panto featured good use of music with best routine being a hilarious duet by Mrs Trott and the King singing 'Big Spender'. Far from wilting, this beanstalk definately flourished.

Hucknall Dispatch - January 2004

Panto Star took 'break a leg' adage too literally!

By Dennis Robinson

'BREAK a leg' is a well-known expression in the world of theatre to wish a performer good luck. But Amanda Bailey came close to taking it too literally when she appeared in the Hucknall Community Theatre Group's 2004 pantomime 'Jack and the Beanstalk'.

For Amelia (17), who was playing the role of Princess, badly sprained her right ankle when her shoe caught in her dress as she walked off the Lovelace Theatre stage at Hucknall Community Centre on Wednesday last week - the first night of the show. She aggravated the injury at Friday evenings performance and had to go to King's Mill Hospital, Sutton-in-Ashfield where she was found to have torn ligaments. But the show must go on and Amelia gallantly limped her way through the rest of the performances.

Fortunately, she had not been written a very big part anyway because she has been pre-occupied with exams. But she will still be able to enjoy her big moment - singing a solo called 'Only Hope', having chosen this number herself.

Amelia was on crutches last weekend but doctors have told her to start exercising her injured foot again. She attends High Pavement Sixth-Form College in Nottingham and is planning to go to university in September to study drama.

The panto came at a heartrending time for producer Andrew Cameron, who also played the dame, Mrs Trott. His mother was seriously ill when the first performance took place and she underwent surgery last Saturday, 'But she would have wanted me to continue with the panto, although it was hard to keep my head focused on the show' said Andrew.