There are a couple of infallible ways to know that Christmas is close. Every shop you go into is playing a tape of identical Christmas songs. Everywhere there are raffles of hampers stuffed with goodies. And the main stage at Clwyd Theatr Cymru is busting all over with colour, noise and frantic activity.
This last is thanks to writer and director, Peter Rowe's Rock'n'Roll panto, this year Jack and the Beanstalk. The main feature of these pantos is the range of rock and pop numbers, superbly performed and staged, with the cast also playing a range of instruments. These are not songs that are simply incidental, they show the characters' innermost feelings.
The dame is the brilliant Phylip Harries, flirting outrageously, flinging puns willy nilly, handling the physical comedy with aplomb and managing his audience with great skill.
I really loved Craig Mather's innocent but properly heroic Jack. And I was very impressed by his helper, Fairy Aubergine, played by the appropriately named Lindsay Goodhand, who shows a mean way with rhyming couplets and who can really deliver a song.
James Haggie uses his squeaky voice to great effect as Billy and sings his songs in rich deep tones. He clearly has quite a fan club among the female teenage audience.
A special word for Kit Orton who took over the role of Squire Snuffbox during previews because of injury. He shows no signs of stepping in at the last minute and gives a lovely, witty portrayal.
There's a good giant, a very fine cow, an effective beanstalk and the usual range of singing stuffed animals.
As expected this is a grand extravaganza of fun and music which really is for the whole family, even (especially) those who think they don't enjoy pantomimes.
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Jack and the Beanstalk The Rock 'n' Roll Panto by Peter Rowe
Clwyd Theatr Cymru Mold.
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