A Torch Theatre Full of Beans

With just two months to go before the Torch Theatre’s annual festive pantomime of Jack and the Beanstalk, Anwen caught up with Chesley Gillard, the Artistic Director to see what all the moooo-vellous fuss is all about!

What can audiences expect from Jack and the Beanstalk this year?

Audiences can expect the traditional story of Jack and the Beanstalk, cow and giant all included, but it wouldn’t be a Torch panto without a twist. Our Jack lives in Hakin with his mum, and their beloved cow – Pat – on Trott’s Tater farm.  Plenty of local landmarks pop up from Carew Car Boot Sale to Castle Pill. The whole show is inspired by Pembrokeshire and is created especially for everyone who visits the Torch.

Why should people of all ages come to see it?

Jack will of course need the help of the audience to beat the giant, so we need you to come along ready to boo, hiss and cheer. There’s lots of opportunities to join in – it’s behind you!

It wouldn’t be a panto without plenty of silly laughs for the young ones and plenty more that will go over their heads to amuse the grown-ups. Dame Trott is always on the prowl for her next victim, sorry, husband.

The design is pure joy, Kevin Jenkins our set and costume designer has out done himself. There are rainbows, sparkles, and plenty of beans of course! Once again, this year we are running a design competition - this time to design a golden object that Jack will find in the Giant’s treasure room. The winner will have their object made into a real piece of treasure that will feature in the panto.

Our songs are also all original, written by the incredibly talented James Williams, meaning you get to see something completely unique that’s bound to be an earworm. When I’m feeling dramatic in the office I will still break into a rendition of ‘If I’m a Beast’, the rousing anthem from last year’s Beauty and the Beast.

Why is panto so important?

It’s a joyful tradition to bring a smile to our faces in the depths of winter. Panto brings everyone of all ages together to laugh, sing and hear a story about the good guys winning. For so many, me included, panto is their first experience of theatre and the magic we can create on stage. It’s important to feed our imaginations no matter how grown up we think we are.

Tell us a bit about the characters

Our hero Jack and his mum Dame Trott live on their potato farm, but the last few years haven’t been kind, the harvest has been rubbish, so they are down on their luck. The Vegetable Fairy, Gabby Greenfingers, usually makes sure all the crops grow big and tall, but she’s been kicked out of the magical Cloudland by the Giant and his horrible henchmen Terrance and Agatha. This means Gabby’s magic doesn’t work anymore, but that won’t stop her trying to help Jack. And of course, how could we forget the loveable family pet Pat the cow, who has her own ambitions of stardom. There will of course be a few surprise appearances along the way, but you’ll have to come along to meet the full cast of characters.

Why are Torch Theatre pantomimes so popular?

The Torch panto always has so much heart! We create a show that has all the usual pantomime glitz and glamour, with fantastic production values and a good story that people can relate too. Most of all people leave with a smile on their faces, really in the festive spirit – and that’s what it’s all about.

Describe Jack and the Beanstalk in a few words.

Full of beans!