Jack and the Beanstalk
December 2006
Written by Tony Long
Such is
the popularity of the Thame Players yearly pantomime that the tickets are sold
out long before the performances commence and if you do not book early you will
be disappointed. This year’s production was well directed by Tony Long and
Colleen Tudway. An English fairy tale it proves popular but is not easy to
stage, with a giant, a bea
nstalk
and a dancing cow. The giant played by John Poole was impressive and the dancing
cow was superior to most pantomime cows. Tim Shepherd was excellent as Stinkweed
the Giant’s henchman eliciting the usual hissing and booing each time he
appeared with Clare Frost his counterpart as Sweet Pea the good fairy. Katie
Ell was a delightful princess with Julie Egleton a feisty Jack. Steve Lambell
and Darren Topping as Sergeant Pepper and Private Piper provided the comedy and
Tony Long was skilful as the dame with Rob Wratten as her comical son Benny. The
sound accompanying the singing and dancing was excellent and as always Thame
Players offer superb effects. The audience needed no encouragement to shout,
sing and clap along to this lively rendition of Jack and the
Beanstalk.
Rita Carpenter