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Jack & the Beanstalk, Sway Drama Club, Sway Village Hall

THIS was one of those pantos where everything fell beautifully into place, and the end result was an absolutely smashing evening.

Super backcloths, glorious costumes, a fine 3-piece band and plenty of well-known songs from musicals added fuel to the fire, and the addition of a first-class script, great direction by Anne Ponting, good choreography, a lively chorus and excellent performances from the principals ensured that the whole show took off like a rocket – or should that be a beanstalk?

Nicky Wilson proved to be a wonderfully evil Fleshcreep, sparking well with Rosie Thomas’ delightful Vegetable Fairy, who sported a cabbage on the end of her wand.
There was plenty of humour from Clarence Clanger (Bob Hayward), Spick and Span (Polly Ashness & Sara Woodley), guards to King Satupon (Andrew McGivney), from Silly Billy (Michelle Turner) and, in particular, from Dame Trot (a larger-than-life performance par excellence from Laraine Dunleavy).

I loved Giant Thunderbore (Mark Ward) and his Welsh wife Blodwyn (Sue Brown), and just the right touch of romance was provided by Jack (Sharon Willegers) and Princess Melanie (Lizzie Thomas). There was plenty of ‘aah’ factor too from Daisy the Cow (Bronte & Max Willegers) and The Dreaded Dragon (Lexie Elliott).

Linda Kirkman

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