A review by Morag Phillips ☆☆☆☆☆ 5 stars
Anyone expecting a mediocre pantomime, just because it’s not ‘uptown’. Then think again!
If last year’s ‘Cinderella’, produced by ‘Stage Door Entertainment’ was a success. Then this year, it is so much more.
Aidan O'Brien and Tommie Travers, have raised the bar with this year’s performance of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’. The same cast and production team have returned to wow the Portobello audiences.
Quite honestly, I don’t see the need to travel to the city to experience the magic and joy of a good traditional panto, when we have a superb one on our doorstep. Ollie Hiemann, as Jack, is the epitome of a romantic hero, and with a sense of humour. He is beautifully complimented by the lovely Amy Campbell as Jill, his love interest. What a vocal range she has. Her voice is like crystal.
Andrew Gardiner as Dame Maggie is larger than life, as you would expect! Emerging from the wings like a battleship, resplendent in colour. It was a fairly reserved audience the afternoon I went, but Dame Maggie was not letting them off. She cajoled and teased mercilessly. She was aided in this by Laurie Scott as Muddles, who has an unconcealed love/lust for Maggie. Laurie is a lot of mirth in a small bottle. His interaction with Maggie is rib-tickling. The audience were soon joining in with the banter.
At this point I must introduce you to Daisy the, cow. I was apprehensive when I heard it wasn’t to be the traditional cow with two people in the costume. However thanks to Leo MacNeill as Daisy, I am now converted. An upright cow allows Leo to move around and gives Daisy a voice. His stage presence as Daisy is substantial and well fortified by jokes and innuendo presented well.
Leo’s brother Harrison MacNeill plays a double role. First as Madame Tattie, who buys Daisy in exchange for the beans. His tall lanky body in a tartan dress and tights, stood alone in making me laugh. Harrison also plays Grot the giant. He has a wonderful deep voice that shakes the auditorium. It is a surprise though when he appears, as although tall, he really needs to be taller and wider to match the booming voice.
This panto has two baddies. Grot, has his evil henchwoman Fleshcreep, played with evil aplomb by Nicola Alexander. She does not disappoint. The moment she steps on stage we got a cacophony of booing, so loud my ears were ringing. She is a brilliant baddie and has a phenomenal singing voice.
Priscilla the Goose is delightfully played by Aidan O’Brien. He has everyone’s shoulders shaking with mirth with his humorous birdlike movements and hilarious conversing in ‘squawk language’. O’Brien is a multi-faceted creature. Actor, singer, choreographer & more. Director of Stage Door Entertainment along with with Tommie Travers. As Musical Director, Travers has pulled together amazing songs and music blending in with this magical production.
The paste that binds it all together is the wee dancers. These girls, from local dance schools are adorable, and carry off some fairly challenging choreography like professionals.
Everything about this production is good quality. Directed and written by Lewis Baird. The lighting, the set design and the fabulous costumes were glorious. Too many individuals to list in a short review. But all excellent.
I highly recommend you to fit in a trip to see this panto. You won’t regret it.
“Oh no, you won’t”.
✨Get your tickets now!✨
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