THE Beanstalk in Urmston Musical Theatre’s Jack and the Beanstalk is 16 feet high.   It is climbed by Jack, otherwise known as Olivia Callaghan who, although new to Urmston, is not new to the stage.

Rik Gaffney, the Director, said:  “We’ve used a beanstalk from a former show and made it look nicer.   The footholds look like branches.

This is the second time Rik has directed for Urmston but it is the first time he has both directed and played a part – Dozy Den.

How did he cope?

“The beauty is having my sister, Emma Harris as choreographer,” he said.

“She keeps track of what’s happening when I’m on stage so, between us, and Ed Nurse, the Musical Director, we maintain continuity.”

Rik’s Dozy Den is just that - dozy.   He interacts well with the children who guard his Teddy.

The rest of the comedy team – John Walker as Dame Trott, Ian Darke as the King and Helen Halfpenny as the Prime Minister, will make both adults and children laugh.

The Principal Boy and Girl will be Olivia’s Jack and Eleanor Cardoza’s Princess Rose.

They will sing duets, All of Me and I Found Heaven by Take That.

“Sarah Kirk, the fairy, has a lovely voice, too, especially when she sings Stronger.”

Ric, 27,  likes both songs and script to be up-to-date.

“Sometimes scripts can be wordy.  I decide which bits to change so the show moves at a steady pace.”

Jack and the Beanstalk is at Urmston Leisure Centre, Bowfell Road, Urmston at 7.30 from February 16 – 19 and 12 noon and 4.00 on February 20.

Book on line at www.umt.org.uk‎ or phone 0161 408 1288 
(answerphone)


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