Christmas Panto season returns with a huge helping of Christmas cheer at the Kings Theatre Portsmouth starring Sean Smith as Jack Trot and Amy Hart as Princess Jill. Portsmouth local celebrity Jack Edwards returns in his popular role as the dame and this year the “fat man in a suit” delights the audience in the role of Jack and Billy’s (James Percy) mother Dame Trot.
All the traditional ingredients for a great seasonal panto can all be found in this year’s Jack and the Beanstalk. Along with the usual local Portsmouth additions from the spooky ghostbusters song, football rivalry gags between Portsmouth and Southampton and local area references that residents sitting in the audience would be able to relate to.
Same Difference star Sean Smith (as seen above) gave a brilliant performance as Jack Trot. His relaxed and happy go lucky appearance on stage only became irked when anyone else attempted to touch his prized “tin of peas”. An all round likeable hero who deserves a happy ending.
Fairy Pea Pod (Marlene Little Hill) gospel choir days shone through and bought a fantastic touch to her role during her solo numbers. Commanding the stage with ease as she helped restore calm to the pantomime.
The storyline followed the traditional root where Jack is tricked into selling his cow for some magic beans. Beans grow and he climbs up to defeat the giant. The Beanstalk growing on stage worked well, just suspend your disbelief slightly though to let the pantomime magic take over.
Wardrobe manager Ronnie Parr’s choice of costumes for Dame Trot gave the audience an array of garish attire befitting of a fantastic pantomime dame complete with some very large hairpieces which you can see by the production photographs supporting this article.
If you are looking for a great night out with the family, friends or just to treat yourself then a visit to the King’s Theatre in Portsmouth comes highly recommended. Please use the link below for further information.
Four Stars
Photo credit Sheila Burnett
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