FROM a thrilling aerial stunt that saw panto legend Billy Pearce soaring above the audience to a jaw-droppingly massive giant, the lavish magical effects of the Alhambra’s Jack and the Beanstalk set it apart from other family shows.
But the real joy is that this production celebrates the simple pleasures of panto too. A little boy a couple of seats from me was in his element scooping up paper leaves that came fluttering down from the beanstalk, and he was reaching out to be drenched when Billy turned a bucket of water on the audience.
As Billy once told me: children love the wizardry of special effects, but what they often remember most fondly is the daft slapstick fun that has long been the staple of pantomime.
It’s those slapstick stunts that had the audience in stitches at the Alhambra this week. My highlights included a hilarious tongue-twister, a fabulously frantic props song, and Billy (“Hiya kids, I’m Farmer Billy - this year”), Danny Miller as Jack and Divina De Campo as the Spirit of the Beans all making mincemeat out of Seventies classic Chanson D’Amour.
This is a slick, well-paced production, a credit to director Ed Curtis, blending high end special effects with traditional panto stunts. It takes a great deal of skill to pull off the physical comedy and timing of panto - it is way more than larking about on stage - and this first-class cast did the production proud.
Few performers on stage make me laugh out loud like Billy Pearce does. With boundless energy, and a sweet, child-like vulnerability, he had the audience in his palm from the minute he burst onto the stage, tearing across it on tiny wheels.
There’s a lot of love for Billy in the Alhambra auditorium; he has a lovely connection with audiences and great chemistry with the cast. Every detail of his performance, from the funny voices and face-pulling to the high energy stunts, was beautifully nuanced. Even the goofing around and making his co-stars laugh was a masterclass in the art of panto.
In and among the topical gags, with nods to the cost of living, Matt Hancock and City of Culture, was Billy’s goofy charm, which has had Bradford audiences in stitches for more than two decades.
He led an impressive cast; creating a great double act vibe with Danny Miller, who was an endearing Jack. The cheeky banter batted between the pair was a delight.
Billy’s scenes with the excellent Divina De Campo were a hoot too - some of the funniest ‘corpsing’ I’ve seen.
With mega-watt charisma and slick comic timing, Divina gave a scene-stealing performance as The Spirit of the Beans.
Sarah Goggin has become a firm favourite with Alhambra panto audiences, and she excels as a baddie. She was terrific as the Giant’s evil wife, Mrs Blunderbore. It takes a certain calibre of panto villain to have grown adults shouting out an outraged “Boo”, as I did, when she tricked Jack into selling his beloved Pat the cow...
Great performances too from Aisha Jawando as Princess Jill, with a beautiful singing voice and some seriously impressive sword fighting skills, and Jocasta Almgill, a delightfully northern Queen Josephine.
There are no Sunbeams this year, perhaps not surprisingly as theatres continue to adjust to a post pandemic world, but with thrilling special effects by The Twins FX, not least the incredible giant and a huge beanstalk that rises from the ground and keeps on rising, this show has the high end entertainment that audiences have come to expect from Yorkshire’s biggest pantomime.
Taking centre stage at the Queen’s variety show was a terrific balancing act, Rola Rola, performed by David Roberts - fifth generation of the Gallingani family of circus performers from Italy - who had us on the edge of our seats.
With high-kicking chickens, stunning costumes, thrilling pyrotechnics and Stillie Dee’s catchy choreography, this is a giant gem of a panto.
* The Alhambra panto run includes a range of Access Performances: a sign language interpreted performance on Sunday, January 15 at 5pm; audio described performances on Thursday, January 5 at 2pm and 7.15pm; a captioned performance on Sunday, January 8 at 5pm and a relaxed performance on Tuesday , January 10 at 6pm.
Audiences at the relaxed performance will enjoy the lavish production values, with modified elements to suit sensory and access needs. The performance is designed for people with an autistic spectrum condition, learning disability or sensory and communication disorder. The production will be modified to create a less formal atmosphere, house lighting is often kept on, making it easier for audience members to move about the auditorium; strobes and flashing lights are removed; volume levels are reduced, interaction between the stage and the audience is revised, and some language may be modified. Talking and noise is encouraged in the auditorium and spaces are created for people to have time away from the show if they wish.
Tickets for the relaxed performance have been released for a reduced rate of £13.50.
Says Bradford Theatres General Manager Adam Renton: “I hope our inclusive welcome and relaxed atmosphere will give everyone chance to come and experience pantomime in Bradford this year.
“At the relaxed performance our front of house and box office teams are there to give all the support needed to enjoy the show, including the provision of break-out spaces to relax outside the auditorium. We’re there to help every step of the way as you plan your magical trip to the pantomime.”
* Jack and the Beanstalk runs at the Alhambra until January 22. Call (01274) 432000 or visit bradford-theatres.co.uk
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