Seeing the panto at Oldham Coliseum marks the start of the festive season for me and my family. Once again we were invited to the press night and opening performance of this year’s panto- Jack and The Beanstalk.
This was the first year we took our twins to see the panto (they’re 3 and a half year old). They love the theatre but I was worried it may be a little old for them but they absoluty loved it, especially te dancing and the music.
The panto at Oldham Coliseum is known for being one of the best pantos in the country (if not the best) and this year it didn’t disappoint. Plenty of our favourite faces are back once again plus some new talent.
After 11 years playing the panto comic, Richard J Fletcher took on the role as the Dame, Dame Dotty Trott and we loved him. Last year, my eldest loved all the scenes with Buttons in (played by Richard) and this year he absolutely loved Dame Dotty Trott. He is brilliant with the audience, especially the children and he is just so fun to watch.
There was a fantastic mix of the traditional tale and modern aspects to this show, something that the Oldham panto gets right again and again. Just like in the traditional fairytale everyone knows, Jack gets sent to sell his beloved cow as the family have no money for food.
Unlike the fairytale, Jacks cow is yoga-loving, ‘peace-man’, turned vegan Hazy the cow (played by Mitesh Soni)! The audience loved Hazy and he came out with some fantastic lines!
It wouldn’t be 2019 without plenty of; vegan jokes, the mentioning of climate change and the carbon footprint (honeymooning in Shaw would help), unicorn onesies, ‘Fe Fi Fo Fum, Boris Johnson Kiss My Bum’ and of course a female heroine! It might be Jack’s name on the poster, but it’s Jill (Shorelle Hepkin) who we can all reply on in the end. Girl Power!
All you want from a traditional pantomime is lots of music, dancing and fun and you get that ten times over! There’s plenty of audience participation, Oh Yes There Is! One thing my children loved is all the modern music including Higher Love by Kygo, Blow by Kesha, I Just Got Paid by Sigala to name a few.
This panto is a must-see for young and old alike. With it’s fantastic script, bright and colourful set and costumes and brilliantly funny performances, everyone will love this! Jack and The Beanstalk is at the Oldham Coliseum now until Saturday 11th January 2020.
Photo credit: Darren Robinson
Out and about mummy 