November 16, 2005
By Rose Setshoge
PIXIE tiptoes out from behind the red velvet red curtain. "Once upon a time," he says, and the small people in the audience sit back, ready to be entranced.
Then the curtain at the People's Theatre at the Joburg Civic Theatre complex opens on Jack and the Beanstalk, revealing a sad Jack, "tired of waiting for the plants to grow in this stupid garden".
For 90 minutes the magical production keeps the children on the edges of their seats - participating enthusiastically in the show.
"Should I exchange the milking cow for beans?" Jack asks the audience. "Yes," comes the unanimous cry.
And the fun is not limited to the stage. Characters jump off the stage and run around the room, dodging between the seats and involving everyone in the action.
Jack and the Beanstalk, running until Christmas, is aimed at nursery and primary school children, but there is loads of fun for accompanying parents.
Children's theatre is a way of introducing youngsters to the traditions of the theatre, says Keith Smith, one of the directors. "And it's family entertainment."
The well-known cry of "Fee, fie, foe, fum, I smell the blood of an English man," sends a delicious thrill through the audience, though the younger ones are clearly worried about what the Giant plans for Jack.
The set design is a delight, giving a wonderful sense of the Giant's vast table, groaning under the weight of elephant, pig and crocodile steak.
Familiar pop songs are woven into the story, with the audience and cast invited to sing along. A firm favourite is Superman by Five for Fighting.
"The message the story portrays is that rewards are given to people who pursue their goals," Smith explains.
Lyal Ramsden plays Jack, while Dominique Paccaut is his mother and the Giant's wife. Pieter Bosch Botha is Pixie, the hen and the king, and Paul Luckoff plays the Giant and the cow.
The theatre is also running a Jack and the Beanstalk colouring in competition, which closes on 31 January 2006. Entry forms are available at the People's Theatre and there is a R10 discount voucher on the entry form.
Adding educational content to the performance, audience members are presented with some seeds, cottonwool and directions on how to grow the beans.
A message is attached reading, "In Jack and the Beanstalk, Jack threw [out] some seeds and grew a giant beanstalk. Although that is just a fairytale, part of it is true. Beans grow from seeds."
How to plant the seeds:
- You will need a saucer and water. Put half the cottonwool on the saucer.
- Place the beans on the cottonwool and cover them with the rest of the cottonwool.
- Wet thoroughly and put the saucer in a light, warm place.
- Keep damp but not too wet.
- When the beans have sprouted plant them in a pot or in the garden.
For more information, contact Jill Girard or Keith Smith on 011 403 1563.
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