Jack And The Beanstalk - TNT

Gimme Gimme Gimme writer Jonathan Harvey tackles a more conventional form in this bland reworking of a traditional staple. Helen Baker has a great pair of legs as the eponymous Jack (who trades the family cow for a handful of magic beans, then climbs the beanstalk to vanquish the malevolent giant) but is outshone by Alison Pargeter's Princess Melody with a tuneful trill at the end of every sentence. Overall, the panto is high on energy, but low on innovation – though the bum-wiggling sing-along has its moments. Ultimately, the production fades as swiftly from the memory as melting snow and, even at this time of seasonal good will, that's not enough to recommend it.
Barbican, Silk Street, EC2 (020-7638 8891, 0845-120 7515). Until January 12. £35 - £12