With more than 200 pantomimes cancelled across the UK, ‘Blue Peter’ legend Peter Duncan decided to film a lockdown version of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ with a cast and crew of 35 entirely over the summer on sets in his back garden. Designed to be an online treat to be downloaded by families to watch together over Christmas, the film, in which he stars as Dame Trott, has now impressed UK cinemas chains. It will now get a VIP red carpet London film premiere then roll out to all Everyman Cinemas on December 5, followed by Showcase and Showcase Cinema De Luxe cinemas on December 11.
The corona pandemic has affected everyone in 2020, with the theatre industry being one of those effected the hardest. December would normally be one the busiest times of the year, as theatres are packed for the seasonal pantomime. However, the doors remain closed due to lockdown and it remains uncertain whether we will see some theatres reopen again. Unlike the stories of a fairy tale there is no guarantee of a happy ending.
Like many with theatres closed I had given up hope of enjoying the tradition of pantomime in 2020, but against adversity Blue Peter legend Peter Duncan had other ideas. Making the most of his time during locked restrictions and dismissing the old motif of ‘here’s one I made earlier’; Peter wrote an updated screenplay and songs for a performance of Jack and the Beanstalk. Only this time it wasn’t written for the stage, it was written for a filmed performance in his garden. If families couldn’t get to the theatres, he would create the magic on screen so people could enjoy it in the comfort and safety of their own homes or in one of 55 cinemas which are screening it across the UK this Christmas.
Jack and Jill is the perfect antidote for the drudgery of everyday life during lockdown, with a script which skilfully interweaves a traditional pantomime story, with a satirical take on 2020. The innovative delivery of the scripts more adult humour in the script regarding topical events, is delivered simultaneously with the more jovial slapstick moments. This leaves the kids and adults laughing simultaneously, but not always for the same reasons. Squire Shortshanks played brilliantly by co-director Ian Talbot encompasses the political satirical, who like politicians is villainised. Yet in the less serious and more whimsical moments you can’t help but laugh at him, again just like politicians.
The show manages to maintain the essence of the theatre, which is due to the interactive nature of characters such as the poetically enchanting Nicola Blackman as the mystical Garden fairy and narrator. Whilst there is the awkwardness of responding to the screen, once you get going it seems perfectly normal and even in a social distanced theatre this can still works really well.
Considering it was brought together during the pandemic, the film includes an impressive wardrobe of costumes and practical effects. From Peters’ endless costume changes with hairpieces and dresses which become ever more adventurous with each costume change, to the carious puppets who make a brief appearance on screen so as to not take away from the performances. You can see the amount of effort which has gone into the production.
The young multifaceted leads of Sam Ebenezer as Jack and Sarah Moss as Jill will definitely be a hit with the kids, with their performances showcasing not only there singing talent, but also their aptness for comedy. Sam leads the film well as the likeable jack who transcends brilliantly between the comical joker and the more serious moments with the rousing musical numbers. Fans of Thaxted from the middle section of ‘Jupiter, Bringer of Jollity’ or rugby union will appreciate a particular song when he begins to ascend up the beanstalk. Sarah has a more supporting role as Jill and it is a shame, she didn’t get more opportunities to sing, even if her most memorable song was a chant which had me laughing out loud.
Peter Duncan once proves that there is nothing like a dame with his brilliantly energetic performance as Dame Trott. He may not be as young anymore, which he acknowledges in a running gag, but he is very much young at heart, and his enthusiasm for the role really comes across. Peter’s theatrical experience as a Dame really pays off with his comical delivery, combining a mixture of slapstick comedy and political quips which kept me laughing more than they should.
Another character that had me laughing constantly was Fleshcreepy, played brilliantly by Jos Vantyler. His ridiculously outlandish delivery had me constantly laughing, especially thanks to ingenious ability to master so many disguises and accents.
Jack and the Beanstalk is just what we needed to end the year with laughter and high spirits and, if the restrictions of lockdown allow hopefully bring families together with a seasonal tradition which many of us love to share. It is a perfect way to end a not so perfect year. And with 2021 I hope we can eventually look back and say, ‘Its behind you’, but who knows what is going to happen next? One thing is for sure, whether it’s back on the stage or on the screen, I will be keeping an eye out for what Peter is going to do next.
‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ is available to download at www.pantoonline.co.uk
It will open at Everyman cinemas on December 5 and Showcase Cinemas De Luxe on December 11.
The production will be supporting six fantastic charities and youth projects: POhWer (www.pohwer.net), Clothe Me – Thank you (www.clothingcollective.org), British Youth Music Theatre (britishyouthmusictheatre.org), Prost8 (www.prost8.org.uk), Scouts (www.scouts.org.uk) and Best Beginnings (www.bestbeginings.org.uk).
You can find out more on Peter’s website and follow on Twitter
Cast:
Peter Duncan (Dame Trott), Ian Talbot, OBE (Squire Shortshanks), Sam Ebenezer (Jack Trott), Sarah Moss (Jill Shortshanks), Nicola Blackman (The Garden Fairy), Jos Vantyler (Fleshcreepy), Yuval Shvartsman (Giant Blunderbore), Josh Freeman, (Wolf Beast) and Julia & Chris Redburn (Buttercup the Cow).
Ensemble cast:
Charlie Booker, Matthew Dawkins, Daisy English, Bessy Ewa, Ben Westhead, Morgan Wilcox, Katie Duncan, Lucy Heath,
Ava & Harriet Knott, Alfie Loomis and Josephine Chasney-Evans
Creative team:
Writer/Co-Director Peter Duncan, Co-Director Ian Talbot, Producer/Production manager Denise Silvey, Cameraman & Editor Luke Roberts, Musical Director & Orchestrations Colin Cattle, Location Sound Matthew Case, Music mixed by Stu Reid, Sound Post Production Dave Aston, Scenic & Prop Design Peter Humphrey, Wardrobe Master/Costume Maker David
Morgan, Choreographer Julia Redburn, Production Co-ordinator Annie Francis, Publicist Kevin Wilson, Marketing Emma Martin, Schools & Group sales Anna Bolton.
Review of the lockdown film version of the Pantomime JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Movie title: Jack and the Beanstalk
Movie description: With more than 200 pantomimes cancelled across the UK, ‘Blue Peter’ legend Peter Duncan decided to film a lockdown version of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ with a cast and crew of 35 entirely over the summer on sets in his back garden.
Country: UK
Director(s): Peter Duncan, Ian Talbot, OBE
Actor(s): Peter Duncan, Ian Talbot OBE, Sam Ebenezer, Sarah Moss, Nicola Blackman, Jos Vantyler, Yuval Shvartsman, Josh Freeman, Julia Redburn, Chris Redburn
Genre: Pantomime, Fairytale
Published in various websites, Philip is a reviewer who is best known for his interviews and media coverage of independent projects including; films, books, theatre and live events. Always on the lookout for something different to cover!
