Jack and the Beanstalk, Lyric Hammersmith – Review

Image above: Leah St Luce as Jack in the Lyric, Hammersmith’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk

High energy all-singing, all dancing entertainment

The Lyric, Hammersmith’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk is an assault on the senses from beginning to end – and I mean that in a good way. It is a very high energy production with lots of singing and dancing and audience participation. I know that’s what you’d expect from a panto, but I have seen many a pantomime in my time and this was louder, more energetic and just more full-on than most.

The story went AWOL in the first half, but nobody seemed to mind. The audience on Saturday evening (26 November) absolutely loved it, screaming their approval throughout. It didn’t much matter what the characters were supposed to be trying to achieve or why, as each and every one was entertaining.

Image above: Emmanuel Akwafo as Dame Trott

I took two boys – Jesse (13) and Jason (9). Jesse’s favourite character was Dame Trott, aka the Milkmaid, played by Emmanuel Akwafo (Eastenders, The Crown), respledent in pink (mostly, there were many costume changes), while Jason’s favourite was Simon, Jack’s little brother, played by Finlay McGuigan (various productions for the Hull Truck Company).

“Why?” I asked. “Because they were funny”.

Of course, why else?!

Image above: Finlay McGuigan as Simon, centre stage with Leah St Luce as Jack

It’s hard to pick a favourite as the cast are all strong. Leah St Luce gives a flawless performance as Jack (stage credits include The Lion King, Dick Whittington and Mama Mia in the West End).

Maddison Bulleyment (stage credits include Six, the Musical UK tour and Bridges of Maddison County at the Munier Chocolate Factory) plays Jill, the hero, Jack’s best friend and the character who pulls them all together and keeps them on task.

They have a beautiful voice which came into its own in their rendition of Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever. Their character is the most empathetic; you would want them as your best friend.

Jodie Jacobs is great as Fleshcreep, the evil villain. I remember her from Dick Whittington a few years ago, she’s an old panto hand, well able to ad-lib when things go slightly off piste and clearly having lots of fun playing the baddie.

Image above: Jodie Jacobs as Fleshcreep

They were helped by the audience. One little girl sitting just infront of me was completely invested, taking Fleshcreep’s mischief making very seriously and telling her so in no uncertain terms.

The band were excellent too, playing their versions of numbers by Beyoncé and Lizzo as well as Billie Eilish.

This is, according to some, the ‘coolest’ pantomime in London. Lyric, Hammersmith, has a habit of sharing the honours among the cast and bringing on new young talent rather than relying on someone you recognise off the telly to hold it all together. They also had a totally different take on the giant, but I won’t spoil it by telling you what that is.

Image above: Cast of Jack and the Beanstalk

Director Nicholai La Barrie told me the Lyric placed great emphasis on giving actors opportunities and bringing on talent:

“The Lyric always wants to be able to give people their first shot at having a part or taking a lead role.”

Finlay McGuigan makes his pantomime debut in this production. Leah St Luce was recently nominated for ‘Best Performance in a Play’ in the UK Theatre Awards. Emmanuel Akwafo was also nominated in the Black British Theatre Awards for ‘Outstanding Performance in a Play’ for Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Hue Gets Too Heavy, at the Royal Court.

Nicholai La Barrie has been Associate Director at the Lyric, having previously been Resident Director on The Tina Turner Musical.

Image above: Maddison Bulleyment, Finlay McGuigan, Emmanuel Akwafo and Leah St Luce.

Where’s ghost? BEHIND YOU !!!

Jack and the Beanstalk opened on 19 November and runs until Saturday 7 January. Book tickets on the Lyric’s website: lyric.co.uk

Photographs by Helen Murray.

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