A giant hand looms from the stage, reaching up towards the balcony, in its grasp a sinister moustachioed man… and a child cries out ‘I want to go home’. Such are the joys of the wonderful world of panto. The impressive visual effect provides a memorable start to the Cork Opera House production of Jack and the Beanstalk, with director Trevor Ryan and his team pressing all the right buttons, resulting in ‘wow’ moments aplenty.
The energy and stamina of the cast matches the creative vision, and the gags keep coming at a furious pace. Everyone loves a good baddie and as the Giant’s emissary, Lord Rancid, Michael Grennell channels Vincent Price to great effect. The legendary Frank Mackey as Nanny Nellie, with a seemingly limitless supply of double entendres and an enviable ability to twerk in a huge hooped skirt, is, as always, a big hit with the audience.
If anyone comes close to stealing her show, it’s Sam Lupton as the villain’s sidekick Spit Snot, a hugely versatile and charming performer. In contrast, the roles of Jack and Jill are far more light than shade and their love story is something of an after-thought — it is a credit to Colm Quinn and Megan Pottinger that they pull it off, their sweet voices showcased in a touching rendition of ‘Fix You’ by Coldplay.
Set design and costumes add greatly to the overall effect, while the musical arrangements are key to the show’s success — covering all the bases from Meghan Trainor and TikTok hits to the Bee Gees and the Sound of Music. Choreography is top-notch throughout, with a vibrant routine to Dua Lipa’s ‘Dance the Night’ from Barbie a standout.
All the hot button topics are present and correct, and a frenetic montage of pop culture references at the end, featuring everything from a re-enactment of The Chase to a Benny Hill-style run around the auditorium, is a show in itself.
While the Giant fulfils the brief in terms of size, he is described as ‘Michael D on stilts’ at one point, illustrating how he is more cuddly than scary, probably a relief for some of the smallies. Naturally, there’s a happy ending for all, even the Giant, who gets a job collecting TV licence money.
As the crowd emerges into a chilly night, the happy chatter and pure joy evident on the faces of children and adults alike would warm the cockles of anyone’s heart.
- Jack and the Beanstalk, Cork Opera House, until Sun, Jan 21, various times, incl matinees, roughly two and a half hours including intermission. Relaxed performance on Tues, Dec 13 at 4.30pm, contact box office directly. Prices: €35.50, €37.50, family tickets available. corkoperahouse.ie
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