Deborah Ross

Buttercup the cow was so convincing I felt quite moved: Jack and the Beanstalk reviewed

Peter Duncan's back-garden panto was intended for online release only but it’s also gone into cinemas because this is the world we now live in

Peter Duncan, in his fancy back garden, playing Dame Trott in Jack and the Beanstalk 
issue 12 December 2020

This pantomime was filmed by ‘legendary Blue Peter presenter’ Peter Duncan in his back garden over the summer. It was intended for online release only but it’s also gone into cinemas because this is the world we now live in. Oh no it isn’t. Oh yes it is. Oh no it isn’t. Seriously, it is. Why are you arguing like this? Stop it.

As many theatres are still closed, and as most pantomimes have been cancelled, it makes sense to show it in cinemas and for cinemas to have something to show. During normal times the Christmas period is The Favourite and Portrait of a Lady and, while we’re at it, have David Copperfield and Little Women too. But film companies are waiting for audiences to return in greater numbers, and as the Oscars have been postponed (from February to April) the usual race to qualify (by 31 December) isn’t on.

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