Here in Cornwall we are reasonably detached from the big art world. I more than welcome this, due to my impression of the outside art world to be confusing and boring. This performance of Jack and the Beanstalk exemplifies everything I love about a proper performance. I will break down my four favourite aspects of it in the following review.
No. 1. It's not afraid to be what it is. Linking with my earlier point, I have become utterly bored with performances shying away from their lighter points. Obviously, with serious works this is definitely not a problem, but it is hard to watch when a pantomime finds it hard to admit it's a pantomime. Jack and the Beanstalk fully embraces it's campness, it's humour and it's ability to poke fun at itself while staying true to it's core ideas.
No. 2. It knows it's target audience. It knows who is watching; the jokes are aimed at kids, but are well written enough to be funny even for the grumpiest of adults. There are a couple adult jokes there but they are subtle enough not to distract from the tone.
No. 3. It's just funny. What more can I say? It is just funny. From some of the more clever jokes to a farting pig, every joke just hits. They work well, and not only for the already listed reasons.
No. 4. The play is extremely energetic. The only time the actors are not running, jumping and dancing is when they are not on stage. This keeps the show continuously entertaining to kids who tend to have short attention spans.
These are all the reasons I truly appreciate this show for just being good. Life changing? No. Deep? Hardly. But entertaining? By god, it is entertaining.
Your witty comment at the beginning did make me chuckle but I am annoyed as your extremely well writen presentation has perfectly described a light hearted and fun evening and I now want to see this play.