Jack and the Beanstalk, Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth (From Daily Echo)

Jack and the Beanstalk, Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth

10:15am Thursday 8th December 2011 in Stage Reviews By Simon Carter, Sports Editor

A LOVEABLE cow, men dressed as women, women dressed as men, corny jokes, slapstick routines involving ice cream, goodies and villains, plus the inevitable shouts of “It’s behind you!”.

Yes, pantomime season is here again.

And down at the Pavilion in Bournemouth they’ve just started putting on the superb Jack and the Beanstalk, which runs until early next month.

Beans means a whole lot of belly laughs in this lavish production which truly lives up to the pantomime as excellent family fun.

As always, the youngsters will love the interaction with the characters, the singing and dancing and the flurry of jokes which never let up.

But so much of the humour will only be fully understood by adults – witness numerous mentions of local ‘attractions’ such as the Imax, Wessex Way and the Boscombe Surf Reef.

Exceptionally well written, the script is also given a topical twist with references to the likes of Ed Miliband, George Osborne and even the Greek economy.

Bournemouth’s very own Chris Jarvis – the childrens’ TV star – plays the role of Silly Billy, brother to show hero Jack Trott (telly impressionist Debra Stevenson), while Nick Wilton probably claimed most laughs for his role as Dame Trott.

Former Corrie bad boy Brian Capron, pictured right, is typecast in the role of villain Fleshcreep, henchman of the Giant, and he too plays his part fantastically well.

This was a great evening’s entertainment.

If you’ve already booked, you’ll have a great time. If you haven’t, book now.

As I would have said to the story’s star, that’s a real Christmas cracker, Jack.