Jack and the Beanstalk verdict is in as Eden Court panto starts mega-run in Inverness
UP to 35,000 people are expected to catch this year’s Eden Court panto Jack and the Beanstalk over the course of a mighty five-week run that rumbles merrily through Christmas and into the New Year.
As a seasoned attendee down the years, I’ve gone as a primary-aged kid on a treasured school outing, a parent of two rapidly growing children and now (gasp!) a great-uncle to a two-year-old. (Read on for a top tip for the two-year-old in your life…you may thank me later!)
Part of the fascination has always been clocking the responses of the many different types of panto goers and learning to play a different role myself, whether accompanied by a squirming two-year-old, reluctant teens or adults, all perhaps looking for something different from the show.
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There was a full circle feel for me as Imagine Theatre’s Steven Wren (as Dame Tilly Trott) and Ross Allan (as Lazy Larry) took to the stage to kickstart a two-plus hour funfest. I certainly had one eye on the reactions of great-nephew Connor (2), sitting on his Mum’s knee next to me and experiencing his first ever panto.
The Trots are so poor they don’t have a bean to their name - and what’s more there is a giant terrifying the village. When a scary rent collector (enter panto villain Poison Ivy, played by Colum Findley) appears offering a stump up or get served up as giant stew ultimatum, it’s do or die time for our colourful cast of characters.
It soon becomes clear that Jack (Ross Baxter) is going to need the help of his beloved Jill (Charis Murray) in pursuing the giant to his castle in the sky as part of an extended rescue mission to retrieve all that is precious to the village.
So, is the show worth seeing? Oh yes, it is!
It gets the twin thumbs aloft from me simply for the ingenious ways the cast work in mentions of their key sponsors and a chaotic tongue-twister scene which tests the wordplay of Wren, Findley and Allan to the absolute limit. Hats off for that alone.
As ever, local children get the chance to join the fun in a lively junior ensemble with plenty of song and dance numbers providing a change of pace and the chance to shine for the wannabe stars of the future.
Findley impresses with a solo turn on a reworked version of We Built this City. The panto villain can carry a tune as well as milking the boos of the audience. And speaking of milking, there’s a surprisingly tender scene involving Allan singing to Buttercup as it emerges his beloved cow must be sold. Later, every cow pun under the sun is crammed in to an udderly entertaining medley, driven by the small but perfectly formed band which is full of beans and a giant part of the show’s success.
And for the record, young Connor’s attention was held from the get-go as he took in the panto magic, music and mayhem for the very first time. I promised a top tip. A sword makes an appearance deep into the performance and the two-year-old in my life was utterly obsessed the moment he saw it…to such an extent that he even lost interest in the interval ice cream he had been happily working his way through in a newfound desire to get his hands on it. So you might want to take a sword (or magic wand) with you. If they are not for sale in the foyer (and I suspect they are), someone is definitely missing a trick…
A special mention to the kind Eden Court member of staff who facilitated a (slightly) late entrance necessitated by heavier than expected traffic encountered by one of our party en route. That kindness can be a make-or-break on a night out.
A panto’s not the same without some local references so listen out for Inverness Caley Thistle and Ross County (find out which is likened to one of the panto dame’s bras…)
Whoever you’re with or what role you’re currently playing in life, dive in and enjoy a five-star night of entertainment.
Jack and the Beanstalk runs until January 5 and includes a number of relaxed performances.
Book your tickets and find out more here
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