Hendra Holidays came to me requesting a bespoke Jack and the Beanstalk script which they could run as part of their entertainments programme throughout the season.
The script would be shorter than a full-length pantomime but still split into two halves and feature their famous holiday mascot Henry the Hippo.
Their entertainments team comprises of a cast of six actors, each with different strengths in acting, singing and dancing. The script would need to play to their strengths and be thoroughly entertaining.
We agreed the script would contain lots of references to the activities available on-site at the holiday park, and around the local area. Locations like Newquay Space Station got a mention, and the land train that runs around the holiday park. Plus activities like Segways, swimming and access to the beach were all woven in.
I decided the best way to include Hendra’s mascot Henry was to have him play the same role in the story as Jack’s cow traditionally does. A beloved family animal which is ultimately kidnapped by the giant’s henchman.
In this case, that henchman was Baron Barnum, an eccentric villain who owns a circus and treats animals very poorly indeed. Meanwhile Jack, his sister Lottie (comic), and mother Dottie (dame) own the Hendra Wildlife Park where animals are free to roam and enjoy life.
The supporting characters were Jill Barnum, a centenary science graduate from Cornwall College and Baron Barnum’s niece. Plus Mother Nature the good fairy who looks after all the animals in Cornwall. That actor doubled with Henry the Hippo.
The story proceeds as per the normal tale, with Baron Barnum a puppet master for the Cornish Giant Blunderbore who is actually quite kind when you get to know him. Cornwall has a rich history of giants so it made sense to bring that into the script, too. Jack and the gang discover that Baron Barnum had imprisoned Henry down on earth backstage at his evil circus.
I worked with the brilliant Sacha and Will at Hendra to develop several drafts of the script, and choose the songs which I then re-lyric’d for the production. The production was performed throughout the season in 2024, and I’m currently developing a new version of The Wizard of Oz for the 2025 season exclusively at Hendra Holidays!
