Just Full of Beans

Our regular contributor Val Ruloff attended the first readthrough of Jack and the Beanstalk. Here's what she had to say...

Just full of beans! 

Oh yes, it is... all fifty-seven varieties! (and that includes the glorious fashions on parade!)

Chelsey Gillard, the Torch Theatre's Artistic Director, has somehow managed to excel herself again this year with the Jack and the Beanstalk script. It's choc-full to overflowing with all the best Panto ingredients. 

There's a great cast, featuring a dazzling array of wonderful characters.

Gareth Elis as Jack Trott is all set to score a hit, primed to step up and impress as our hero of the hour! He's already demonstrating that he's more than qualified for the task ahead!

The formidable and stunning charms of Mrs Trott, played by Lloyd Grayshon, are on dazzling display. The gimlet eye of Mrs Trott is fixed upon her prize... be it pounds, shillings, pence and glittering treasures or the homing in upon her next unwitting husband-to-be!

What about the hapless, villainous double act comprising of the two "baddies", Terrence Fleshcreep and Agatha Fleshcreep played by Samuel Freeman and Freya Dare, respectively? They are truly a joyous hoot... and manage to achieve gasping intakes of breath with their wickedly naughty antics and conniving ploys, too!

Next there's the silvery, tinkling tones of Good Fairy Gabby Greenfingers, played by Elena Carys-Thomas. We can be sure that she's keeping her finger on the (vegetable) pulse, during a frantic search for the inimitable Pat the Cow, played by Carri Munn. Cue madness and mayhem as Pat the Cow has to try to mooooove along past all the inevitable references to... what else?... but cow pats, whilst simultaneously facing the challenge of an entanglement with a cheese grater!

Pat the Cow also has the Goose to provide her with company and a fellow creature to honk alongside her! The insect world is not forgotten either... with caterpillar and butterfly special features.

What about the menacing presence of the Giant, his name and title and booming voice looming and threatening? Then we can add spirits of the beans and the huge and dominant beanstalk writ large over the whole of the proceedings.

All in all, this promises to be a show stopping production. The favourite and beloved story of Jack and the Beanstalk is told well and faithfully... with some new and fresh surprises as a bonus. The audience can heave a sigh of relief as good triumphs over any evil intent!

There are some very well-placed and funny   references to local places, including yachting on the Marina, Castle Pill, local schools, the Ty hotel, Hakin, Narberth, Carmarthen and Carew market. The humour is slapstick and enjoyable, as well as cheeky, near-the-knuckle innuendo and even Carry On-esque elements at times! There's also a proper,  traditional riddle included in the mix!

The sets and the costumes promise to be a treat... a feast for the eyes. They have been very cleverly designed, setting the scene beautifully and eye-catchingly to boot! We can also look forward to the excitement of the school competition results being announced! The design for the Giant's treasure will be unveiled and will be on display for the first time... in all its glory! We have the promise of a sparkling and glittering treasure trove to rival Aladdin's cave, as well as Indiana Jones Raiders of the Lost Ark and Romancing the Stone!

Everything's "Trotted" out for our delectation, you might say!

Look out... behind you! Beware of the Trotts (Flesh)- creeping up on ya'. Right on the Butt-ernut squash!

Oooh yes... they are!