Review: JACK AND THE MAGIC BEANSTALK, The REP Birmingham
Photo credit: Graeme Braidwood
A friend of mine once told me of their experience reading Jack and the Beanstalk to their son. They retailed the memory with a smile of how their son had opened his eyes to who were the real victims in the story. Jack is presented as a hero, but to quote his son is “actually a bit of an idiot and should go to prison for stealing. Swapping a WHOLE COW for THREE BEANS is very silly, especially when mum complains about the price of beans in the super market and even then, you get a whole tin”. He then went on to say the giant was the real victim in all of this, as he was happily living above the clouds and Jack broke in and stole the gold. This retelling of the story opened my eyes. The message of the story is to take advantage of opportunities; this should come with the prefix, within the boundaries of the law and as Katherine Chandler points out in her retelling of this old tale – “We must not steal.”
Katherine Chandler’s adaptation of the story is wonderfully refreshing. Jack and the Magic Beanstalk is a beautiful tale of appreciating what you have, be it a little or a lot. It also cleverly reflects our current climate as more people turn to food banks, rising fuel prices and the full impact of living under austerity rule becomes known. Though we appreciate this is not why you have come to read this review, it would be foolish of us not to highlight when life imitates art and vice versa.
Sam Butters is wonderfully engaging in the role of Jack, embracing the intimate theatre and making a conscious effort to interact with each individual child. Butters is animated and charming, matching the energy in the room to enthral the eager and engage the shy. Nataylia Roni is warm in the role of Mum and brings fantastic characterisation to the many other characters we meet along the way. Roni also has a wonderfully rich tone to her voice as she sings her way through the story. Dominic Rye is a fantastic storyteller in the role of the narrator Cian, leading the audience like the conductor of an orchestra. Rye is witty and sharp with their observations and responses to the audience. Rye also provides the majority of the musical accompaniments on various instruments hidden around the simple and dynamic set designed by Deborah Mingham.
Director Caroline Wilkes gives Chandler’s retelling the breath of life. Wilkes does not underestimate children, their ability to understand nor the power of their imagination. This intimate production is a masterclass in the world of make believe. Where a basket can become a cow and a ball of string, a puppet. This is simple, powerful, effective, immersive theatre at its finest. This is theatre for all children (and guardians) of all backgrounds and abilities to smile in tandem.
If you are able to, grab a ticket, Besties. Forget the celebrity names and big budget pantos, this is a slice of magic this Christmas.
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Alanna Boden
Find Jack and the Magic Beanstalk at The Door, Birmingham REP until 31 December; before it embarks on a library tour.