Jack and The Beanstalk What a Whopper - Adult Pantomime

Charing Cross Theatre

Has all the bells and whistles of a panto, but for adults! Fabulous and funny, but does the theatre world really need an adult version of a panto?

'He's behind you' theatre company have created an adult panto that includes drag, fabulous costumes and an abundance of innuendos. This is the recipe for an adult pantomime, along with the topics covered. This is the theatre company's second production, last year they put on 'Sleeping Beauty Takes a Prick', which played at the LGBT+ space 'Above the Stage Theatre; which is sadly now closed!

Whilst pantos are a fun theatre experience, they are usually for all the family and the silliness is targeted towards the children in the audience. The jokes of a sexual nature start off funny, but as they are repeated throughout the piece, they lose their comedy. However, it is fantastic to watch a piece that has such a great LGBT+ representation and celebrates a range of sexualities. Also, the jokes aimed towards the adult audience. The audience roar with laughter and there is a positive energy vibrated throughout the theatre. Though, it does pose the question of 'is there a need for adult pantos?', because pantos are a side of theatre that feels dated and there's so much more development to theatre in this modern day that is more intriguing!

Jack and The Beanstalk the story itself feels like a side plot and the aspects of the story feel minor compared to the story about the town of Upperbottom and its people's stories. Whilst they are funny, you walk away wondering what the story was and you lose sense of the plot, because there is so much going on. A typical panto is simple and an easy watch, this feels complicated; whilst it is an older audience, there is still a lot going on and some of the jokes are lost in the fast pace of the show. The inclusion of songs feels unrelated, whilst pantos do include songs: this panto has such a number that makes you question are they needed, and they prolong the show. It makes the audience lose interest.

Actors and actresses have worked hard on their characters and they are what keep the audience engaged. Dale played by Chris Lane is a marvellous character, his role transitions and almost narrates each scene, his entrances and exits are strong and dazzling! He remarkably does not drop his energy! Keanu Aldolphus Johnson plays 'Jack Trott' and his character's personality is lovable, he plays an excitable, family orientated and fun role. He animates Jack and his performance displays a high level of expressive characterisation. True to the panto nature! The antagonist 'Lady Fleshcrep' played by Jordan Stamatiadis puts detail into her portrayal of her character. She has a signature pose and has put detail into how she moves and exaggerates it. Whilst her character's costume is not big and bold in showing she is the baddie, her HUGE expressive skills perfectly give her character it's evil shine! The actors bring the success of the show and it's appeal.

Another element that brings the success to the piece is the set design and use of props. There is one moment in particular that stuck out and made the piece fun, which was the audience participation section in act one in Dame Dolly Trott's kitchen. This scene is hilarious. The set is a colourful with cartoon appearance, the kitchen that has a counter, window, cooker and pots and pans. In this scene, the audience are telling the Dame when there is a beaver in the kitchen, there is a long sentence you're supposed to shout to her when you see the beaver, however, it is difficult to remember this long sentence. It was a very comic scene and the set/use of props was important in creating the comedy of this section. This moment truly engaged the audience and felt very true to the panto style.

This adult pantomime is without a doubt fabulous, but there is not a lot of depth and the jokes are repetitive. However, it's strength comes from the acting, set design and ethos of the theatre company. It is fantastic to see a show that the range of characters all show different parts of the LGBT+ community! The sub plots feel more important than the story itself and that should be reflected in the title, because you expect the show to be most imperatively be following the story of 'Jack and the Beanstalk', which is the title...