Usually when I see a panto it delivers exactly what I expect – a well-known story, a good handful of cringeworthy puns, goodies, baddies and a camper-than-Christmas dame, some upbeat tunes and a LOT of glitter, but this one managed to weave in some unexpected twists and turns, too. Not quite the story that my daughter performed in her Christmas school assembly last week, but she didn’t seem to mind one bit…

For starters, mummy’s boy Jack, has a love interest in Jill (as in ‘went up the hill’), one of a number of nursery rhyme characters in the show. You’ll also meet a hilarious West Country accented Little Bo Peep (below, centre) who enjoys a tipple at the Little Boy Blue bar (we like her already!), Three Blind Mice, Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater and Simple Simon (Jack’s brother, played by Oliver Mawdsley, below, far left).

Sugary sweet and the perfect match for the slightly soppy love-struck Jack, Jill (Etta Williams, who’s performed in the stage adaptation of Zog) is an independent woman. Her dream of starting her own business means she has to juggle a random concoction of part-time jobs to save up (can anyone relate?) but it’s soon shot down when the giant increases the villagers’ taxes and throws everyone into poverty (cue the political quips).

Played by Laurie Denman, who has recently starred in the much talked about film, Living, alongside the brilliant Bill Nighy (kudos!), Jack unwittingly faces three challenges to prove his worth, set by the Fairy Goodwin. The spectacularly sparkly in every way, Lauren Chinery, is my pick of the cast (she also plays Bo Peep and one of the giant’s baddies) and has performed alongside Russell Watson. She certainly has ‘the voice’ for it and belts out hit after pitch-perfect hit.

On that note (boom, boom), the music had my five year old bopping in her booster seat, with a mix of original tunes and some sing-along hits including Defying Gravity (from Wicked, of course – as Jack scales the beanstalk), the Ghostbusters theme tune, a fab mash up of One Way or Another and Teenage Kicks, as well as THAT Kate Bush song that shot to No. 1 earlier this year, courtesy of Stranger Things. The highlight though was a carefully orchestrated medley of Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now, Pure Imagination from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Defying Gravity – can’t quite imagine it, can you? But it worked!

Now I had wondered how they’d cast the baddie in this one (ie the giant!) as we’re not in the West End with massive staging budgets. While his big booming voice makes the littlies quake in their seats, he’s represented on stage by his ‘sidekick’, The Crooked Man (Alastair Hill, Saturday Night Fever and Dreamboats & Petticoats) who threatens to take the villagers’ hopes and dreams in place of their taxes (bring on the boos). But *spoiler alert* the giant himself is more of an illusive Wizard of Oz-style character, controlled by – wait for it – Alexa! Great twist, but if you’re expecting a pair of enormous boots to stomp across the stage you might be disappointed!

And no good panto is complete without a dame of course – Jack’s mum, Dame Trott, (National Gilbert & Sullivan Opera Company regular, Matthew Kellet, above centre), is suitably silly and plays a fun double act with Jack’s brother Simple Simon.

My only complaint? Well more of a niggle really… In the final act, Fairy Goodwin sets everything up towards a Power of Love finale (boy wins girl, of course!), so I was expecting a rousing rendition of the Frankie Goes to Hollywood Christmas classic (last year’s Rapunzel was rounded off with All I want for Christmas – the perfect dose of festive cheer to take home). Instead, it’s the more upbeat Huey Lewis and the News tune. But it did get everyone clapping along in jolly unison, so I’ll take off my scrooge hat now!

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: It’s a family show, with plenty for the kiddies, as well as a good dose of humour aimed at the adults, too – poking fun at politicians and a little bit of cheekiness thrown in for good measure – so there’s something here that everyone can enjoy. Personally I liked the re-worked version of the story, too.

Not for: Very little ones might find the booming giant’s voice a little scary (there were a few tears in the stalls!) and for those who are after a traditional re-telling of the tale, might find this version too off-beat.

Jack and the Beanstalk is at South Mill Arts, Bishops Stortford until 2 Jan. Tickets from £18 – book here.

Panto review: Jack and the Beanstalk at South Mill Arts

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