Last year we spent a Chippy Christmas in the jungles of Latin America with Cinderella READ OUR CINDERELLA REVIEW HERE, but this November expect to be transported to the other side of the world to the Viking stronghold of Smorgasbord where Jack & The Beanstalk will unfold.
Think Vikings, giants, a huge Mousetrap game, ghosts, a talking cow and lots of silliness and fun, and you’re getting the right idea
But with rehearsals well underway and the fun kicking off on November 13, here to tell us all about it is director and Chippy Theatre boss John Terry. “Panto is a bg part of our DNA. We’ve been doing it for 52 years now and people keep coming back, bringing their kids, and then their grand-kids, so we throw everything into it to ensure as many people as possible come to see the show.
“There is definitely a responsibility to get it right and maintain our reputation, which is why we endeavour to make our pantos as memorable as ever,” he says.
To set the scene for this year, Jack falls in love with the youngest daughter of Norse chief Olaf Billybookcase, but then her baddie elder sister Inge becomes intent on taking the Vikings back to their violent days of pillaging rather than her father’s peaceful rule, and all hell breaks loose.
Jack and his mum Gertrude, English immigrants in Smorgasbord, who try to save the Viking realm, then come up against the giant.
“We wanted to make sure that the giant in Jack & the Beanstalk is the most exciting part of the show which seemed fitting in a Norse world where the people are famously huge and strong,” John explains.
“But the heart of a Chippy panto is always a really good story. So yes, there will always be silliness, jokes, dancing, singing and some great tunes, but the story-telling sits right in the middle of that with a great, juicy story that moves people, whether they are 6 or 66,” he adds.
As for the dame, Jack’s mum Gertrude takes on the role with great aplomb, played by Andy Cryer who joins the cast for the first time.
And with music by Tony award-winning Sarah Travis, plus the Pippins on hand, it’s a pretty impressive line-up.
“We had over 75 children auditioning for the Pippins and whittled it down to the final 12, who are now busy learning the dance routines. They are such an intrinsic part of the show,” John says.
All set for a block-buster of a year then? “We have one of the longest panto runs in the country with nearly 19,000 people coming every year,” John says. “So there’s lots of fun to be had’.
“It’s going to be daft, it’s going to be silly, but it’s also still a traditional show with lots of unexpected twists and turns.”
And with concessions for schools, tickets at different price points, as well as free tickets for those who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford to come, there’s no excuse not to join in with the fun.
Jack & the Beanstalk runs at The Theatre Chipping Norton from November 13 – Jan 12. Book at https://www.chippingnortontheatre.com/events/jack-and-the-beanstalk
