JACK AND THE BEANSTALK .. THE BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME .. JANUARY 17TH 2015 .

One of the highlights of the Panto calendar is the spectacular productions mounted at The Birmingham Hippodrome which

With Duncan after the show

always attracts a stellar cast of stars and sell out audiences.. I have made it a mission to attend the Hippodrome show every year and glad to say this years production was another enjoyable showpiece of a show! Heading the bill this season is boyband Blue's frontman Duncan James who makes a dashing if not overly tattooed Jack and who certainly gives the teens plus the mums something to look at! Singer and tv presenter Jane McDonald plays The Enchantress in this her first foray into Pantoland and takes on the role with great

style and gets in on the fun and chaos.. Flying in on a silver half moon to spread her magic and to treat us all to her wonderful voice with a revised version of The Stylistics 'Betcha By Golly Wow' or 'Magic in the Air' for the purposes of the story.. She also sings 'This is the Moment' to herald the eruption of the beanstalk which emerges up from the bowels of the stage before the end of act 1.. The classic 'Ain't No Mountain High Enough' get thrown into the mix to get the party started! Returning from last years

With Jane after the show..

production of 'Snow White' are the wonderful Gary Wilmot .. Gary reprises his ever popular Dame Trott role, while Matt Slack as Simple Simon, provides a high level of unpredictable slapstick humour, in the Brian Conley mode.. Paul Zerdin delights the

audiences with his sidekick the also unpredictable Sam.. All three certainly raise the laughter level with their madcap antics which never fails to have the audience in stitches.. Former 'Coronation Street' star Chris Gasgoyne takes on the villainous role of Fleshcreep, with suitable results to incite the boo factor.. Apart from the impressive Beanstalk erection, other notable effects

include a helicopter ride with Paul and Sam and a crowd pleasing 3d sequence.. All in all 'Jack and the Beanstalk' is another success for the Hippodrome and they now have to produce another sensational production for the next holiday season, which has been announced as 'Aladdin'.. Watch this space!