George Critchley has put together a delightful pantomime at the Municipal Hall, his first as a producer. He also plays the part of Silly Billy in his fourth successive panto appearance at this most intimate of venues.
It is an extremely good-looking show. Rick Curran's imaginative lighting adds magic and romance, and there is excellent dancing from the Susan Chippendale Dance School performers. A thoughtfully choreographed Cloudland dance proves to be a particular highlight.

Critchley has cast his show well. Suzanne Proctor gives Jack an appealing tomboyish quality, providing a character for youngsters to identify with. Helen Bunyan, as Jill, has a golden voice and a personality to match.

The ding-dong battle between the Fairy and the villain (Sandra Hughes and Terry Ashe) is carried through in sparky fashion and ends in a definite score draw.

Once the comic set pieces have been revved up, Critchley can look upon this as a notable debut.

The Stage

 

A panto is proving a "giant" success and entertaining record audiences in Pendle. The production of Jack and the Beanstalk will end on Sunday after a ten-day run that has seen thousands of people, the young and the young at heart, rolling in the aisles at Colne Municipal Hall.

Gary Hood, Pendle Council's principal leisure services officer, said: "It's been the most enjoyable pantomime I've been involved with in the ten years I've been here.

"Director George Critchley has done a wonderful job in getting the cast together and writing this pantomime specifically for Colne. He worked in the area in the eight weeks up to Christmas and that's brought the community in.

"Attendances have been the highest we've ever had for a pantomime, even taking into account the years we had stars from Home and Away and the Gladiators."

Lancashire Evening Telegraph