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Jack and the Academy System Managers
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LIFE IMITATING PANTO: Joey James, John Partridge and Sienna Widd in Jack And The Beanstalk [Pic: Manuel Harlan]
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Jack and the Beanstalk
Lyric Hammersmith, London
⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
IT’s behind you! Oh no it isn’t! Oh yes, it is! Panto time of the year and usually one panto is fine by me. Persuaded that Jack and the Beanstalk at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, had a brilliant story line, it was definitely worth a visit.
Sonia Jalaly’s script is a very funny but a devastating attack on the academy system. The baddy is Sir Fleshcreep, MBE, the CEO of Fleshcreep Academy, who takes 96 per cent of the school’s money, with Jack and his sister Jill facing a bleak time of regimentation with no imagination allowed and gruel for lunch. Ofsted are portrayed quite aptly as the other baddies. The giant sucks all imagination out of children who don’t conform to every whim resulting in empty minds who are like automatons.
To be set very much in Hammersmith with many local references is very apt as some of the first academy chains and free schools were opened up in the borough. Quite chilling to those of us who have taught in academies and fought against their growth.
Earlier in the day on a picket line at a special school in neighbouring Brent, part of the two-school Compass academy, support staff are faced with losing up to £4,000 a year with drastic cuts to their hours. This despite nearly four million in reserves and highly paid “managers.” Real-life pantomime villains. Typical of the academy system.
Jack, Jill and their mum, Mamma Trott, ably assisted by Fairy Godfather, defeat the evil plans and destroy the giant. Fleshcreep academy and its CEO fail. The whole scenario is excellently woven through songs, dance and a very professional cast that had the audience laughing and fully involved with great applause at the end.
Highly recommended.
Runs until January 4 and well worth a visit. Box office: (020) 8741-6850, lyric.co.uk.
