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Jack and the Beanstalk comes to Ashford School on East Hill

By: Charlie Harman

Published: 10:55, 23 December 2019

Updated: 12:05, 27 December 2019

If you want a giant amount of fee-fi-fo-fun, you'd better get yourself down to Ashford.

For its first year in the town, Blue Phoenix Productions has brought its A-game as it puts on a fantastic rendition of Jack and the Beanstalk.

The chemistry between Hubert Cox and Jade Bell, playing Jack and Jill, was clear to see. Picture: Jim Roberts (25257765)

Billed as "Ashford's first professional panto", the show is being staged in Ashford School's Brake Hall on East Hill and visitors of all ages will adore this festival of puns, dances, songs and physical comedy.

Hubert Cox brilliantly leads as the eponymous hero, attempting to save Jill - played by Jade Bell - and the town of Merrydale from the clutches of the evil giant and his sidekick Fleshcreep.

Both Cox and Bell display incredible voices and acting, with Jill's heart-wrenching and emotive version of Lewis Capaldi's Someone You Loved sung from a cage a particular highlight.

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Another highlight is director Paul Ketley's turn as the traditional Dame Trott - although the dame is naturally far from traditional.

Ketley's natural charisma shines through, taking audiences through incredibly complicated tongue-twisters and leading the 'puns in a box' routine, which this year focusses on TV programmes.

Paul Ketley's Dame Trott is among the best you can find, as are his direction and original script. Picture: Jim Roberts (25257745)

Joining his stage mum in that scene is Silly Billy, Jack's slightly dim-witted brother. Charley Byrne plays this role amazingly, inspiring both sympathy and barrels of laughs from the audience.

Byrne is sure to prove a particular favourite of children as he proves himself to be a master of slapstick comedy, and at getting covered in foam and milk.

A particular mention also has to go to Steph Coates and Rob Hancox, as Fairy Beansprout and Fleshcreep respectively.

Despite relatively infrequent appearances, they each embodied their roles perfectly as the opposing forces of good and evil.

Ms Coates' rendition of This is the Moment from Jekyll and Hyde was ethereal and Hancox's songs were an absolute triumph - how he managed to stay in character while testing his full vocal range is a mystery.

Steph Coates and Rob Hancox worked brilliantly opposite each other and individually. Picture:Jim Roberts (25257730)
Charley Byrne had fantastic energy throughout and expertly broke the fourth wall. Picture: Jim Roberts (25257830)

It was clear to see the amount of rehearsals that had gone into each number, with a spotless dance team providing a fantastic physical performance to go alongside the pitch-perfect singing.

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If there was ever a reason that Ashford needs a performance space, it's this show.

Pop along and you won't be disappointed - although your face may hurt from all the smiling and laughing you'll be doing.

Jack and The Beanstalk runs until Saturday, January 4, with tickets starting at £12.50. For more information, or to book, click here.

Read more: All the latest news from Ashford

To find out what’s going on in the county and for all the latest entertainment news click here.

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