Review: Jack and the 3 Panto Lands by InteGreat Community Theatre

I was recently invited along to MAC (Midlands Arts Centre) in Birmingham to see the first ever pantomime, Jack and the 3 Panto Lands, by InteGreat Community Theatre.

The group is made up of deaf and hearing adults and they use BSL and speech throughout their shows “for a fully integrated performance to bridge the gap between the hearing and deaf communities.”

To create the storyline for their show, they all worked together and used drama workshops as a way to explore various themes and produce a script. The group also took on full responsibility of roles behind the scenes too, with members in charge of lighting, projection, choreography, costume and stage management.

There were two performances over a weekend, both of which were sold out. I attended their family friendly performance on a Sunday afternoon. Upon arrival I noticed how the set design was notably impressive for a community group with a series of well painted walls, a corner cottage, various props and a giant beanstalk which inflated to the top of the theatre!

As the show began we were met by Angela Twigg – who runs the group – and who also played the role of ‘Mumble.’ It was delightfully refreshing not to have to divert my eyes to a BSL interpreter as Angela spoke and signed at the same time. She was incredibly engaging and her excitable energy was great to see.

Angela initiated a signed song for families to join in before welcoming Phillip Freeman onto the stage. Phillip played the ‘baroness’ type role of Fanny, and he amused us all with his larger than life dress and wig, straight-style talking and sassy signed songs.

There were also some rather cheeky innuendos that the parents enjoyed, which is actually very typical of a traditional pantomime. Phillip was a lovely comic who ensured lots of laughs (and groans!) throughout the show.

As the story progressed we saw community actors bring to life the story of Goldilocks, Snow White and Cinderella. There were some members who required assistance or guidance around the stage yet they devoted themselves to the roles they were playing. It was so positive to see such a diverse cast of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.

I particularly enjoyed the role of Snow White who was mesmerising as she danced and signed. Also, her nemesis, The Wicked Witch really embraced her evil role as she ordered a signing Huntsman to kill Snow White. Cinderella’s Ugly Sisters were also fabulously confident, adding lots of sass and deaf humour to the famously bickering sisters.

Throughout the show there was plenty of panto-style interaction with sweeties being thrown into the audience, lotto balls shooting out, invitations to stamp our feet and wave our hands too! The use of simple sign songs was a brilliant way for families new to signing to learn a few signs and feel involved and they signed along with the rest of us.

For those who couldn’t sign or understand BSL, there was an interpreter voicing over and there were also captions on the screen indicating song lyrics. There were lots of clever ideas within the story, which really highlighted deaf awareness and the importance of being deaf friendly.

At one point the audience were asked how we could distract the giant from noticing Jack at the top of the beanstalk. Somebody called out ‘shout!’ To which an on-stage character reminded us, “he can’t hear you!” Instead, we were encouraged to stamp our feet and wave our arms.

Another funny moment was when the Wicked Witch arrived at Snow White’s cottage and she used a doorbell with a flashing light to notify Snow White that someone was at the door. These examples of deaf life really cemented the community feel that was at the heart of the production.

In all honestly the show wasn’t completely perfect (what community show is?!) as a couple of scenes went on for a tad too long and the ending was a bit confused. But on the whole, it was an enjoyable show and a great outing for a signing family.

It seems that community theatre is largely about the social and emotional impact the groups have on those involved and who they perform to. The intention of such a group is always to create works for their community, made by the community members themselves.

Jack and the 3 Panto Lands was undoubtedly a celebration of sign language, deaf culture, sign song and theatre. InteGreat’s strength clearly lies in its integrated cast and crew as there was commitment and joy from each and every one of them.

As this was InteGreat’s first ever pantomime, I am looking forwards to seeing how the group grows and develops from this. If they continue to collaborate to devise new works and fuse their deaf culture into the writing, we will certainly be in for more community theatrical treats.

Review by Rebecca-Anne Withey

You can find more details about InteGreat Community Theatre group on their website and Facebook page.