Jack and the Beanstalk
Winner of the
Oxfordshire Drama Network Pantomime Competition 2013 and nominated for the
N.O.D.A. ‘It’s behind you’ award 2013.
Jack and his mother Dolly (of Dolly Dainty’s dairy) are down on their luck and are being threatened with eviction by Farmer Fussbudget, unless the rent is paid on time. Their only asset, in the form of Magnesia the cow, has to be sold in order to raise the money. Jack is tasked with taking her to market, but on the road he meets Wiseacre the Wizard; Jack is offered various valuable items in payment for Magnesia, but eventually settles on a bag of beans.
Needless to say, this does not go down well with Dolly and simply confirms to Farmer Fussbudget that Jack is no match for his daughter, Florence. Dolly throws the beans away in disgust. By the next morning a huge beanstalk has grown; they are all for chopping it down, but the adventurous Florence decides to climb the beanstalk to see the view from the top, despite Dolly and Jack’s best efforts to stop her.
Unfortunately for Florence, she falls into the clutches of the Ogre (who we have met in a previous scene) and who has designs on her as his (unwilling) bride. His two ineffective assistants, Drudge and Dogsbody, together with the children he has captured and enslaved, encourage him in this. When Florence does not return, Jack, gathering his courage, climbs the beanstalk to find her. He tricks Drudge and Dogsbody into letting Florence escape back down the beanstalk, but not before he takes notice of the Ogre’s treasure.
Jack returns to the Ogre’s lair, steals the treasure and releases the hen that lays the golden eggs and her chicks. He uses the treasure to buy back Magnesia; he also convinces Wiseacre the Wizard to help him rescue the children and to defeat the Ogre. All ends well with Jack winning Florence, Dolly winning Farmer Fussbudget and Drudge, Dogsbody and the children being freed from their enchantment.
Ten principles, numerous speaking and non-speaking cameo parts, plus a chorus of milkmaids, farm workers and slaves.
Nine scenes, with two main settings, together with other scenes in front of half tabs or on a lower stage; therefore simple to stage.