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Home > Recent Projects > Jack and the Beanstalk
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Jack and the Beanstalk

Presented by the Auckland Festival 2005
St. James Theatre, Auckland, New Zealand, 25 February-6 March 2005
Written and directed by Michael Hurst

CLICK HERE TO SEE JACK AND THE BEANSTALK PHOTO GALLERY

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE WIDOW TWANKEY AS MISTRESS OF CEREMONIES AT THE AK05 KICK-OFF



 


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Cast and Crew

Anna Hewlett | Jack
Morgan Reese-Fairhead | Jill
Michael Hurst | Mrs. Sidebottom/The Widow Twankey
Grant Bridger | P.C. Poultice/Daisy
Bruce Hopkins | Squire Smelly
Jonathan Brugh | Lesley/Adam the Ant
Irene Malone | The Flatulon Leader
Jason Smith | Yehudi

Michael Hurst | Writer and Director
Jason Smith | Music and Songs
Vicki Haughton | Choreography
John Verryt | Set Design
Elizabeth Whiting | Costume Design
David Eversfield | Lighting Design

 

 

 

 

A Note from the Director

Hello Girls and Boys!

We have had heaps of fun putting this show together, and we are very excited about performing it for you and for your Mums, Dads, and Significant Grown-Ups.

The cast has been very well behaved in rehearsals and I have only had to hand out one detention--mind you that was to everyone. We are putting on our best acting for you and we hope that you will laugh, shout, cry, giggle, whistle, cheer, stand up, sit down, laugh a bit more, and generally go bonkers.

But, please remember, boys and girls, that bonkers or not, your parents love you and so you really should do as you're told at all times and make sure you do the dishes and clean up and put out the rubbish all the time forever and tidy your bedrooms and always behave and don't answer back and do as you're told again forever.

Have a great time!

Michael Hurst
Director

 


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Mrs. Sidebottom

BEFORE . . .

 

 

AND AFTER . . .




Owing Squire Smelly 480 years of back rent, Mrs. Sidebottom ("that's 'Siddy-bo-tome' to you" "Any relation to the Itchy-bo-tomes of Pimpleton?" "They're a bit further down") goes into the house, she says, "to beautify myself," planning to use her feminine charms to curry Smelly's favor and keep her home, "for me and little Jack". You see the results of her beautification in the after photo!  (With thanks to Bruce Hopkins for the photos above; see other Jack and the Beanstalk photos at bruce-hopkins.com.).

SEE MORE PICS IN OUR JACK AND THE BEANSTALK PHOTO GALLERY

AK05 KICK-OFF

Widow Twankey also had the honour of serving as mistress of ceremonies at the AK05 kickoff in the Auckland Museum on 23 November 2004.  Many luminaries were in attendance, including New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark.  Click here for pictures of the event.

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Reviews and Articles on Jack and the Beanstalk
(click on links below for complete articles)

New Zealand Herald:  "The Widow Twankey is an inspired creation from a man who lives and breathes theatricality.  From the moment he tumbles onto the stage, Hurst commands attention with his brilliantly physical clowning, perfectly timed asides and unflagging energy".

New Zealand Herald (preview 1):  "Laughing, shouting, cheering, whistling and booing is de rigueur and Twankey . . . for reasons which are rather unclear, appears as herself but 'playing' a Mrs Sidebottom (pronounced Siddy Betowm"

New Zealand Herald (preview 2): "Hurst says his 'mad' show will appeal 'from five years to old people'".

Sunday Star-Times:  In the 6 March 2005 Sunday Star-Times' report on the highlights of AK05, Gilbert Wong said, "Michael Hurst brought his panto madness to the stage again with Jack and the Beanstalk, a wild collision of aliens, nursery rhymes, and pratfalls, mostly by Hurst, who played the Widow Twankey, playing Jack's mum Mrs Sidebottom, if that makes sense".

 

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