YEOVIL has done it again. Bravely, full of determination and belief, relying on the extraordinary talents of local and visiting performers and support from audiences, the Octagon/Westlands team has mounted a show that is nothing short of a triumph.

Jack and the Beanstalk opened on Friday 13th December, flying in the face of superstition. With a cast of 12, a script by Brad Fitt, direction by eight-year Yeovil pantomime regular Lizzie Frances and choreography by Yeovil’s own James Bamford, this hugely entertaining show burst on the wide Westlands stage, and never flagged for a moment. The costumes are spectacular and the local jokes just keep on coming.

Anyone who wondered whether the in-house team had the experience, or the time, to follow the Evolution company need not have worried. The “legendary Yeovil pantomime” is alive and well in the hands of an enormously talented team both on stage and behind the scenes.

Audiences were delighted to see Prince Charming from last year’s Cinderella, Mark Lamb, back in the role of the heroic Jack Trott. He’s joined on stage by the huge presence of Daniel Page as his colourful mother Dame Trott. My own favourite moment is “her” singing of Chicago’s If you Leave Me Now as Daisy the Cow is taken off to market. Silly Billy Trott is audience favourite Kevin James. He’s sweet, charming and sharp as a tack.

You may have seen Lizzie Bea in various touring musicals, and here she is spending Christmas in Yeovil as Princess Jill, whose kindness to the overtaxed villagers is under threat from Desdemona, the trophy not-quite-wife of the Giant Trump, played with hilarious and lascivious gusto by Georgie Macaskill. Alana Robinson, recently seen touring in SIX, is Fairy Motown, and singing her heart out.

The merry villagers, led by James Bamford, lead the spectacular and varied dancing which always follows the arc of the story (not always the case with pantomime dancers).

There are magical moments of light and sound (designed by Kathryn Monkton and Chris Handcock) and a super-clever trip round Yeovil by courtesty of Leonardo, during which, if you have taken your Stugeron, you might spot a familiar face or two.

There’s audience participation aplenty, a deal of dowsing, competitive singing and fun for all the family (especially Colin on the night I went!)

This Jack and the Beanstalk is a outstanding pantomime, telling the story, entertaining all the audience and proving once again that in theatre terms, Yeovil really is an exceptional place.

GP-W

Footnote: After decades of “buying in” pantomimes at the Octagon, and last year in the difficult setting of Westlands, the already-fraught management team was told that the now regular company, Evolution, was pulling out until the future of the Octagon was sorted.

The 2024/5 show (Jack and the Beanstalk) had already been announced, and in common with most theatres, at the Octagon/Westlands the budget depends on the success of the panto, which guarantees bums on seats and ticket sales to fill the coffers for the rest of the year. Adam Burgan and his team took the brave – and risky – decision to mount their own show.

Eight months of hard work and crossed fingers have paid off royally in this terrific Christmas entertainment for all the family.