Jack and the Beanstalk

Social Climbing

Jack and the Beanstalk

by Loz Keal

Teddington Theatre Club at Hampton Hill Theatre until 8^th December

Review by Thea Diamond

The festive season has well and truly arrived on the southside of Richmond upon Thames.  On Thursday, we had the Teddington Christmas Lights Up; on Friday, the Hampton Hill Christmas Parade; on Sunday, the Hampton Village Christmas Event, and sandwiched between, the opening of TTC’s traditional family pantomime.  And what a traditional, not to be missed panto director Josh Clarke has delivered! 

We were treated to all the time-honoured ingredients, including booing at the baddies; the scary bear in the woods scene, and we even had ‘If I were not upon the stage’, the first time this seasoned panto critic has witnessed this fun and anarchic routine in an amateur production.  And well done …  you guys completely smashed it (figuratively, I might add, not literally)!

From the opening scene of the fairy talking in rhyme (Naomi Pink), to Roxanne Ip’s slickly choreographed dance numbers, to the Dame’s many costume changes involving more sequins than a Strictly final, the atmosphere in Hampton Hill Theatre was buzzing. 

Loz Keal‘s brilliant script provided plenty of risqué jokes, double-entendres and political wise cracks for the Dame (Stuart McEwan), King (David Hannigan) and Queen (Danielle Thompson) to show-case their excellent comic delivery which would give any stand-up a run for their money!  The King and Queen’s quick fire news jokes read from their royal scrolls were particularly hysterical.

Our sweet and sanguine quadruplet of heroes and love interests was played by TTC newcomers Cara Bullimore (Sarah, the maid); Jo Wickham (Silly Simon); Carmen Mackey (Jack) and TTC panto regular, Molly Cole (Princess Rosalind).  All four were multi-talented with their strong execution of singing, dancing, acting and also interacting with the audience, as they swung between romance, action, suspense and comedy.

Nigel Cole as our (spoiler alert) pantomime baddie really relished this role, and was magnificently malevolent having obtained his B-Tech in Evil from local Richmond upon Thames College.  Alex Farley, as his side kick Grimshade, was suitably redeemed as the tale progressed, providing a surprising third wedding pairing, going against the traditional panto formula.

Heather Mathew as (the Phoenix Buchanan like) Lila Kaye, was absolutely hilarious in this role, as she lamented the contrast to her previous classical roles, and hammed up the Shakespearean delivery of her physically comedic portrayal of Daisy the Hen and the Magic Chicken.

Hats off to the brilliant costumes (Mags Wrightson and team) and hilarious pop song adaptations (Lizzie Lattimore and Becky Popovich), as well as the set designs (Wesley Henderson Roe) which switched effortlessly from palace to village to the giant’s lair.

If you’re lucky enough to bag a ticket for this nearly sold-out show, you’ll be in for a treat.  We’re lucky enough to have such a local high quality production on our doorstep – Richmond Theatre beware!  And also, don’t forget to let the front of house team know if you’re celebrating a birthday, wedding, bar mitzvah etc, so you can be singled out by the Dame in her audience shout-out to make a magical evening even more memorable.  Well done TTC!

Thea Diamond, December 2024

Photography by Jonathan Constant