If
the decision last summer by a group of pub goers in Llanarmon-yn-Ial to stage a
community panto early in 2013 needed validation, then the clamour for tickets
when the performances were announced such that a fourth show had to be added was
surely reassurance enough.
Four sold out shows of Jack and the Beanstalk
at St David's Village Hall in Eryrys were the result. Co-written by Denise
Deegan, Jenny Parks and Bob English, this classic tale was revisited with a
distinctly rural feel, with joke after joke about matters
agricultural.
As with any panto, a good villain is needed and the duties
were shared between the evil landlord Gareth Jones and the ubiquitous Chris Lees
who, as the Health & Safety Man, frequently appeared to quote the Government
or EU regulations that cast members were breaching, from transporting of
livestock to growing of beanstalks. Suitably knowing groans from the audience
were the result.
Highlights from a spirited performance were Wendy
Holifield as Jack's sister Jessie, Richard Martindale as Jack's mother Dame
Trott and the Ugly Cousins Erma and Elsie, played by Oliver Beardwood and Richie
Birch. For the audience who witnessed the latters' food preparation sketch,
Saturday Kitchen will never be the same again.
Ruth Evans, as the
vigorously thigh slapping Jack, and Ali Rennison as Jack's girlfriend also
deserve a mention, as does Stephen Loughlin as the Giant's mum.
Such was
the popularity of the show with cast, production team and audience members that
2014's production is already being planned.
