Far, Far Away Theatre Company’s James and the Giant Peach – 28 March 2025, George Street Theatre, Wombwell
Review by Claire Taranaski.
My five year old daughter has provided the perfect seven review of Far Far Away Theatre Company’s latest production “Everything was fun (including the scary bits)” as the company continues to be the best at what they do best, bringing top quality family friendly theatre to the stage that provides the perfect introduction to theatre for children of ages.
I was a big Roald Dahl fan as a child of the ages, though for some reason never touched this classic, and am looking forward to introducing his books to my daughter and this was a fantastic way to do so with the production catching the essence of the world he created through his books. First published in 1961 the production cleverly captured that period and Dahl’s heyday with James outfit and the show girl dancers whilst also some how keeping it timeless with its crisp upbeat choreography and bringing it up to date with the styling of the residents of the giant peach. This blend by another company might feel forced but felt seamless in Far Far Away’s hands.
Similar can be said about the characters from the two aunts, which if you didn’t know Dahl’s work may remind you of panto dames and the first and second officers (Joanna Mason and Peter Holliday) of a panto comedy double act fitted in seamlessly with the other recreations of the book’s beloved characters. Five cast members played two or more characters but if you did not have the cast list in front of you children and adults alike would not have realised with the characters so different. For example, I still can’t quite believe Michael Crump played both Aunt Spiker and the Centipede and Georgina Holliday both Aunt Sponge and Miss Spider, not just with costume and styling but with completely different personalities, charisma and performances.
All of the main cast were perfectly cast but special mention must go to James (played by Franchesca Fearne for half the shows and Harry Taylor for the other half) who had confidence, stage presence, energy and personality beyond their years and have a long career in entertaining ahead of them; Samantha Tennick as Earthworm who perfectly captured the personality and attitude of the creature and made me love them and just want to give them a big hug (I don’t think they would let me) and Jenna Dabbs as Ladybird, who like any stylish ladybird must have three pairs of legs as she perfectly pulled off her role, like her co-stars, whilst directing, choreographing, doing the wardrobe (all the outfits suited all of the characters personalities perfectly) and with her family doing the set.
On the subject of the set we felt like we were entering a giant peach as soon as we entered the theatre foyer and loved the use of a giant book on stage to bring the book to life and add to the delight of the scene changes whilst capturing the style of the book’s various illustrators. My daughter also wants to praise the fans given out during the interval for looking like a peach and also making her feel part of the story.
There are very few if any tickets available for the remaining weekend shows, which should not be missed by fans of Far Far Away, Roald Dahl and children’s theatre in general, but we are delighted that the company is returning to the Montgomery Theatre stage later this year with tickets already on sale for their Christmas show.