“Allo, “Allo’s Sue Hodge and legendary pianist Bobby Crush lead the cast in Britain’s most easterly pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, at Lowestoft’s  Marina Theatre.
jack-and-the-beanstalkJoining the duo of top talent will be children’s television star Chris Edgerley, best known for his role in the hugely popular Hi-5. Directed by Debbie Flitcroft and with musical direction by Keith ‘Paddington’ Richards, the stage is set for a giant family pantomime.
Jack and the Beanstalk is the classic tale of a young boy’s adventure from Sunnyvale to Cloudloud via a beanstalk and a battle with a grumpy giant, and will once again be produced by Paul Holman Associates, the award winning team responsible for the critically acclaimed Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the venue last year.
The team has been sewing the seeds of hard work to ensure that once again the Marina Theatre has a pantomime to be proud of, to take it into the New Year and its new future, with a superb show for all the family. Sue Hodge will be bringing magic and sprinkling fairy dust over audiences in her role as Fairy Organic. Sue became a familiar face to many when she appeared as the cheeky waitress and resistance fighter in the long running BBC comedy ‘Allo ‘Allo, which was viewed in over 95 countries and toured Australia and New Zealand before arriving in the West End for a six month stay.
Few entertainers can claim to have had as varied a career as Bobby Crush. Famous in the UK for over 30 years primarily as a pianist but also as a songwriter, broadcaster, actor and TV presenter. Bobby will be showing off his many talents at the Marina when he stars as the piano playing Dame Trott. Bobby is no stranger to pantomime; his dame has graced the stage of many top theatres, he has written two complete pantomime scores, as well as comedy material for Russ Abbott and Les Dennis.
Audiences will perhaps best remember Bobby from his six winning appearances on Televison’s Opportunity Knocks, where his piano playing won audience approval and gained him the Variety Club of Great Britain award for Best New Artist.
Hi-5’s Chris Edgerley will be bringing his handsome hero good looks and charisma to the title role of Jack and Sophie Bloom, who charmed audiences last year in the Summer Special at the prestigious variety show at the Cromer Pavilion, will be delighting all in the role of Princess Amelia.
Ensuring the vital ingredients of laugh-out-loud comedy are top of the beanstalk will be top notch director Debbie Flitcroft, who brings more local flavour to the production, hailing from Suffolk, where she lives with husband and comedy legend Roy Hudd.
In addition a full supporting cast of actors, singers and dancers will make for a spectacular festive treat to carry audiences and the theatre into the New Year.
Chief Executive of the Marina Theatre Trust, Martin Halliday said:
“We are delighted to be working with Paul Holman and his award winning team again this year. The casting of Sue Hodge, Bobby Crush and Chris Edgerley in lead roles this year means that once again audiences can look forward to a show which is fast paced, packed with great music, comedy and audience participation.
“Paul shares our belief that pantomime should be perfect entertainment for all ages and funny without being crude or smutty, a show that all the family can come and enjoy with good clean comedy and slapstick fun. The sets for the show look terrific and the costumes will be some of the best in the business. I am confident that Jack and the Beanstalk will be a first class professional production of which we will be extremely proud and in turn will prove very popular at the box office.”
Jack and the Beanstalk runs at the Marina Theatre from December 10 to January 2. Tickets on all performances start at £6.50 with generous discounts for groups and schools. In addition special family tickets are available along with several super saver performances at which best seats are available for only £9.50!