Wendy Parkin Website

Jack and the Beanstalk Review

JACK and the Beanstalk at the Wolsey Theatre until January 24

THIS is only its third season, but the Wolsey's Rock 'n' Roll pantomime is rapidly becoming a very pleasant Ipswich Christmas custom.

Writers Peter Rowe and Alan Ellis have stuck to the traditional fairy story for inspiration, but it's given a superb twist with a collection of superb rock and pop songs from the 1960s to the 1990s.

Again the Wolsey has assembled an ultra-talented group of actor/musicians who are almost all on stage throughout the whole production - when they're not acting they're playing an instrument in one of the many numbers.

The real star of the show is Nick Haverson as Dame Dolly Durden.

It's the second year running that he's been the dame at the Wolsey, and he is certainly comfortable in the role - the audience love his entire performance. And he's pretty mean on the drums too!

Another favourite, especially among the younger members of the audience, was Jason Rowe as Billy No Friends - by the end of the show he'd got hundreds of mates in the theatre.

Good fairy Wendy Parkin is back at the Wolsey after starring in their panto a couple of years ago, and her strong voice and stage presence helps hold the show together.

And Johnson Willis is a suitably detestable villain with the wonderful name of Fleshcreep.

The Wolsey's technical team - and actor Rowan Talbot - deserve great praise for producing a highly-impressive giant who was determined to rock the audience.

While young lovers Jack and Jill were brought wonderfully to life by Jonny Hynes and Kirsty Malpass.

Kirsty has a very strong voice and approached the whole show with great enthusiasm while Jonny is making his professional debut at the Wolsey and clearly has a promising career ahead of him - he came across as a cross between Take That's Mark Owen and Peter from Fame Academy!

Tickets for the this production have already been selling very fast and soon will be selling out.

Last night's audience lapped it up - pantos are aimed at children but there was more than enough here to keep mums, dads, and grandparents entertained. Traditional with a twist - just what you need to get you in a 21st century Christmas mood!

Paul Geater

The Evening Star - December 5th 2003