Jack and the Beanstalk
Bradford Alhambra
 

THERE’S been debate in recent years about the role of the traditional pantomime dame. This centres on whether the character is still acceptable in an inclusive society or whether it perpetuates damaging gender stereotypes.

The casting of Divina De Campo in Jack and the Beanstalk, produced by Crossroads Pantomimes, could be seen as a response to this. A finalist in Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK, she brings musical theatre experience to her role as the Spirit of the Beans. Yet for all the gusto she brings to the musical numbers, her real strength is her interactions with Billy Pearce.

A star of the Alhambra’s festive production for two decades and counting (“you get less for murder!”), Pearce effectively plays himself as Farmer Billy Trot. His knockabout humour and constant ribbing tests the comedy muscles of his co-stars, with Divina more than holding her own (especially during a tongue-twister scene alongside an admirably straight-faced Sarah Goggin as Mrs Blunderbore).