BARTON-le-Street’s very first panto, Jack and the Beanstalk was performed at the village hall to a sell-out and appreciative audience.

It was written by and starred the people from the village. The idea was sparked by a conversation between the locals at a village event in the summer.

Atty Dickson and Charlie Ticehirst designed the set, including a revolving scenery and the costumes were made in record time seamstress Ann Wilson, including the pantomime cow.

Musical numbers were arranged and played by resident pianist Alison Moore.

The script, mostly written in rhyme, was loosely based on the traditional story but had many references to the village, its residents and Malton in general which provided plenty of local humour. It was introduced by narrator Bridget Williams and the actors included a broad spectrum of villagers, with the starring role of Jack played by the talented 12-year old Olivia Atkinson-Ticehirst, opposite her equally able older sister Samantha Atkinson-Barker as the Princess.

Farmer Rory Kemp was a good sport dressing up as the dame, and hidden talents were revealed in Philip Moore, Philip Westmacott and Daphne Rose.

Jack’s mum, a gambling Ab Fab Patsy figure, was performed by Anne Knocker and the panto baddy was played by Hugh Norton.

The panto animals included Rhubarb the dancing cow, a disguised Celia Raines and Judy Hardy, and mice Charlie Taylor and Poppy Wilson.

Ice creams were served at the interval by the “usherettes” Mandy Barber and Marion Hardy, and wagon wheels and sweets were thrown into the audience at the end of the performance.

Afterwards everyone was able to enjoy a delicious supper kindly provided by local company the Original Baker.