Credit: Darren Robinson
Upstaged Rating: ⭐⭐⭐
Every year, a trip up to Oldham Coliseum for their Christmas show officially signals the start of the festive season for our family. This year the team at Oldham bring a new take on Jack and the Beanstalk and while the show delivers much traditional pantomime fun, it also brings a modern twist to the well-known fairytale.
Following Kevin Shaw’s departure, this year’s panto is written by Fine Time Fontayne and Artistic Director, Chris Lawson. This year’s show sees Jack (Sam Glen) joined by his best friend Jill (Shorelle Hepkin), together the two must save Oldham from the tech-crazy giant’s wife (Jenny Platt), who is stealing mobile phones, laptops and any other electronic devices that she can get her hands on. The giant’s wife holds the local children under a magic spell as they deliver all of their prize techy gadgets to her, she then uses the seized goods to build a robot. It is quite a departure from the familiar story and there are no booms of ‘Fee Fi Fo Fum’ in this panto.
Despite these modern change-ups, the cast all shine with energy and enthusiasm. Oldham panto regular Richard J Fletcher springs into the role of Dame Dotty Trott and versatile Jenny Platt doubles up as eco-friendly Good Fairy Greenfield and the evil Mary Moorside, the giant’s wife. Flanked by Shorelle Hepkin’s Jill, Sam Glen is a hit with the audience as Jack Trott, bubbling with warmth and charm.
Jack’s cow, played by Mitesh Soni, is given a pleasing modern overhaul as Hazy the Hippy Cow. Soni gives a psychedelically comical performance and the vegan cow is a great source of humour throughout, particularly during his trippy rendition of Kelis’ ‘Milkshake’.
The show delivers all of the traditional panto quirks that you would normally expect, David Bintley’s lively musical score bounces along and features current hits from Lizzo, Sigala and Ava Max; there’s plenty of audience interaction and laugh-out-loud moments. There are also some more pressing messages, around single-use plastics and our environment, woven into the silliness.
We love that Oldham bring a fun-filled family show year after year – all taking place in an ideal sized theatre where everybody can interact and feel part of the show. With a pleasing price-tag, Jack and the Beanstalk is the perfect production to share with all of the family this Christmas.
-Kristy Stott
Jack and the Beanstalk runs at Oldham Coliseum until 4 January 2020.