Ashurst children peform Jack and the Beanstalk play

This is a major event on the Ashurst School Calendar. This year’s production is Jack and the Beanstalk.

Every child in the school is involved in the play with the Years 5 and 6 taking on the major roles. The part of Jack is shared by Luca Bianchi and Harry Erasmus.

Jack’s mother is played by Eva Nagy and Eloise Meldrum. Annabel Shoosmith is playing Grovel with Lucy Campion & Sienna Dyson sharing the role of Grabber, Grinder is played by Jemma Neil-Gordon Spicer and Groucher by George Sellwood and Alfie Connolly.

Daisy the Cow is played by Daisy Taylor and Ella Joyce; and the Giant is played by George Sellwood and Alfie Connolly.

Even the Year Reception pupils are involved in the production and play the part of ants in the forest, with Year 1 & 2 pupils playing furry forest animals. Many lively songs accompany the pantomime.

The story centres on a poor boy called Jack who lives with his mother.

His only worldly goods are nine small beans and Daisy, his favourite cow and best friend. Unable to pay the rent and under pressure from Grovel and Grabber, the bailiffs, Jack is forced to sell Daisy to a wizard in exchange for five magic beans.

Jack’s mother is not best pleased and throws the nine beans into the compost heap. Needless to say, a huge beanstalk grows with all the beans growing at the top.

On climbing the beanstalk, Jack encounters furry animals, characters from other pantomimes and a giant who is a midget!

Jack manages to locate the golden egg, not to mention the hen that laid it! As is traditional in pantomimes, everything turns out for the best and Jack and his mother live happily ever after.

Headteacher Mrs Williams directs the production, with Ms Evans designing costumes, Mrs Harwell providing the musical accompaniment, Mrs Robins the props and all staff being involved from backstage to front of house.

There are two matinee and two evening performances of the pantomime. The first performance was on Friday 29th November.

Pictures contributed.