December 13 2005
MARY BRENNAN
Jack and the Beanstalk, His Majesty's, Aberdeen
Refurbished and re-opened in nice time for the panto season, His Majesty's fields a fast-paced family-friendly spectacular that majors on star attractions – Marti Webb is the soignée, singing fairy – but none the less crams in oodles of local colour from curtain up.
Michael Howard's Jack is a likeable, likely lad, his Ma – Alan McHugh, raucous and chivvying as ever – keeps things extra lively in running needle matches with
King Crumble (the affable Cameron Stout). Miles Jupp, as the Dame's daft son, Simon, cops a few side-swipes as well but he's hilariously impervious, a stalwart numpty. Excellent effects where it matters for youngsters: an inflating beanstalk and a Giant cunningly represented by huge, animatronic hands.
Theatre Workshop continues its tradition of seasonal plays that focus on issues of inclusion/exclusion. A Christmas Tale draws on
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