It’s hilarious, sumptuous, heartwarming, and energetic. The cast seems to have really gelled, despite the fact they only have just over two weeks to rehearse and prepare. Which is amazing given the quality and the production of the show.
Evolution, the company behind the show has been bringing their pantomimes to Theatre Severn for the past 11 years. It’s also directed by and starring Brad Fitt as the dame and to say he is possibly the best panto dame in the land is no exaggeration. I can’t imagine another dame, and this is not a case of little old Shrewsbury done good – it’s just a real coup to have talent and a show this good in our town.
This version of Jack and the Beanstalk is a loose retelling of the traditional tale. And in true 2023 style it has not just one but two heroes in the shape of Reece Duncan as Jack and Erin Armstrong as Jee. Both Reece and Jess have really spectacular voices and their careers so far have seen them perform in some star-studded West End shows.
Show producer Paul Hendy (former TV presenter who hails from Telford - cue the Telford and Market Drayton gags) discovered Jess at The Edinburgh Fringe where she was performing as Lena Zavaroni in the musical Lena. Fellow Scotsman Reece was previously seen touring in Rock of Ages. And collectively, their voices really raised the roof.
They’re ably assisted by the absolutely outstanding Tommy J Rollason, as Billy, who is just 20 years old and has a fantastic career ahead of him. His ‘old-school’ style of comedy and performance is just brilliant with perfect comic timing and such energy. He leaps about the stage with such vigour and has the best comedic expressions.
But back to the dame. 2023’s Dame, Dame Trott is a triumph. There are ever more elaborate and side-splitting costumes and “all new jokes ladies in gentlemen” in some of the scenes we have come to know and love, such as the multi-joke box gag which this year has a whopping 18 consecutive dog jokes, the scene where the Dame traditionally gets wet, slipping and sliding is this year contained to a box where various weather elements ‘rain’ down on her and this year she has a real-life Dog companion to help her perform some of the ‘stunts’.
A special mention must go to Luke Backinanger, the panto villain played by West End star Lucas Rush (The Cher Show, Evita, Rock of Ages) and real-life pet ower of Rita the dog.
He’s a failed boyband member who learned all secrets such as how to get up off his stool on the key change and is now channeling all his vengeful energy into ruining the town with his weather machine.
He is such a welcome addition to the cast and was both loudly and quietly hilarious – a real favourite of my sisters who came with me and had them laughing so loudly and so hard for two hours, if it was any other show, I am sure they would have been told to put a sock in it.
There’s also, a giant, but it’s one of the show’s spectacles so I don’t want to give too much away, and a number of truly inspired scenes made better by the big screen above.
This is one helluva show for all ages, and I pretty much defy you to go and not enjoy yourself and get swept up in the Christmas magic.
In fact, I am going again. Tickets are still on sale, though the show is already well on its way to being the most successful panto ever at the theatre in its first week. And tickets are already on sale for 2024’s effort from the same team – Sleeping Beauty.
Well done to all at Theatre Severn and Evolution Productions for this brilliant panto run.
Visit www.theatresevern.co.uk or call 01743 281281 to book tickets.
