Jack and the Beanstalk
Bradford Alhambra
 

THERE’S been debate in recent years about the role of the traditional pantomime dame. This centres on whether the character is still acceptable in an inclusive society or whether it perpetuates damaging gender stereotypes.

The casting of Divina De Campo in Jack and the Beanstalk, produced by Crossroads Pantomimes, could be seen as a response to this. A finalist in Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK, she brings musical theatre experience to her role as the Spirit of the Beans. Yet for all the gusto she brings to the musical numbers, her real strength is her interactions with Billy Pearce.

A star of the Alhambra’s festive production for two decades and counting (“you get less for murder!”), Pearce effectively plays himself as Farmer Billy Trot. His knockabout humour and constant ribbing tests the comedy muscles of his co-stars, with Divina more than holding her own (especially during a tongue-twister scene alongside an admirably straight-faced Sarah Goggin as Mrs Blunderbore).

Most of the belly laughs in the family show are when the pair are on stage together, the chemistry when they spark off one another being palpable. This threatens to make the other actors little more than guests in their own show, with the standout moment for Danny Miller’s Jack Trot being when he appears alongside them in a slapstick version of ’70s standard Chanson d’Amour.

The scene has more than a little Morecambe and Wise about it, which is fitting in a show that draws on variety and music hall. There’s a comedy song, an interlude from rola-rola circus performer David Robert, and special FX when Billy flies across the stage.

The plot is so perfunctory that the slaughter of the giant — an imposing puppet — is dispensed with so quickly it could almost be missed.

That none of this matters is largely down to the two leads, whose enjoyment at being on stage is rewarded by the audience’s enthusiastic response. When Pearce concludes that “we need more laughter,” you get the sense that he’s finally being serious.  

Showing until January 22 2023. Box office: 01274 432 000, bradford-theatres.co.uk