REVIEW: Jack and the Magic Beanstalk – children's show touches on poverty and hope

A brand new family show – touching upon poverty, homelessness and the plight of migrants – comes to Birmingham to sprinkle fairytale magic and hope during the festive season.

Jack and the Magic Beanstalk is currently packing out the intimate space of The Door at The Birmingham Rep.

Jack and the Magic Beanstalk is a joyful and bubbly Christmas show that bravely – and sensitively – balances witty action and frothy comedy with serious issues that currently plague our world such as poverty, homelessness, the huge chasm between the rich and poor, and the desperate lives of migrants and refugees who live in limbo.

The show bravely tackles the issue of homelessness

The brand new family show – aimed at young children but with an eye on engaging with parents too – is written by award-winning playwright Katherine Chandler.

Chandler takes the traditional English fairytale and shapes it into a topical and thought-provoking work that comments on current social, economic and political issues.

The writing, on the surface, appears to be aimed squarely at young children, but Chandler ensures that the material is double-edged with references that adults can spot and reflect upon.

The characters live in world where the rich Giant refuses to share his hoard of riches and food

The story follows poverty stricken Jack and his Mum who live a ramshackle existence, trying to make ends meet, and doing their best to find their next meal.

A rich Giant, living high up in a castle in the sky, has plenty of food and wealth but is too selfish to share it with anyone else.

Jack sets off on a fantastical journey in which the tyrannical Giant will lose his greedy grip on essential resources that could benefit those less well off in the world.

In a world of poverty the people find joy in music and dancing

The show uses wit and charm to hold up a mirror to our world and the metaphorical reflection it throws up is potent. A world overflows with an abundance of food and riches while extremes of poverty and division are present because of the blind greed of giant corporations.

Caroline Wilkes directs the show with a quick and zesty tempo that is in tune with the warm and delightful performances by Nataylia Roni (Mum), Sam Butters (Jack) and Dominic Rye (Cian the narrator).

Deborah Mingham’s production design – which makes witty use of puppetry effects – is minimalist and makes poignant reference to the poor and homeless in our society who are marginalised and ignored and shunned by the wider society.

'Home Sweet Home' is where the heart is for Jack and his Mum — ‘Home Sweet Home’ is where the heart is for Jack and his Mum

Jack and his Mum have fashioned together a few sheets and poles to make a tent – with a bunk bed – that resembles something seen in a refugee camp.

Despite the threadbare space the mother and son have a piece of fabric with the words ‘Home Sweet Home’ embroidered on it which hangs in their simple abode.

The cast use the power of music – played live – and dancing to feed their souls and to inspire themselves in a world consumed by greed and division.

The show uses puppetry and music to generate atmosphere

Their castaway lives – every day a challenge – mirrors the world right outside the theatre in Birmingham where the poor and downtrodden are all too often ignored or forced to move on.

Ironically, the area around the theatre is the place where the current government hosts its annual party conference.

Jack and his Mum live in a no man’s land where the most precious thing that they have are not possessions but their love for each other. That warmth means more to them than the ice cold golden harp owned by the rich Giant living high above them in his castle.

Jack and and his Mum have a precious gift - their love for each other — Jack and and his Mum have a precious gift – their love for each other

The use of energetic and witty live music, which is composed by Reisz Amos, helps to set the atmosphere as the trio of performers bring alive the fairytale.

The intimate space of The Door at The Birmingham Rep allows the show to take place within close proximity to the audience. Some of the youngest members of the audience are allowed to be seated on cushions at the perimeter of the performance space and this allows the actors to engage directly with the audience which creates a really dynamic energy.

This witty and intelligent production is the perfect show to introduce youngsters to the magical world of theatre.

VERDICT: ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Jack and the Magic Beanstalk is currently playing at The Door in The Birmingham Rep until Saturday 31 December