JACK and his Beanstalk has been growing in a quiet corner of SuffolkFor the village of Lower Bentley became the mythical world of the pantomime show of the same name when a band of dedicated amateurs took to the stage with their annual production.

JACK and his Beanstalk has been growing in a quiet corner of Suffolk

For the village of Lower Bentley became the mythical world of the pantomime show of the same name when a band of dedicated amateurs took to the stage with their annual production.

The 17th annual play by the Bentley Players saw a cast of colourful characters fill the stage with the weird and wacky … while references to real life events and places gave the home grown script a firmly Suffolk flavour.

At the close of play Charles Cripps, who wrote and directed the show, handed over £200 each to Bentley School and the Village Hall Management Committee.

A change in casting this year babe farewell to long time dame Peter Bingham whose shoes were ably filled by David Prangle as Window Twankey.

The Terrible Twins, Bob Perkin and Gordon Riley, bumped around the stage in their usual double act, only to reappear as the inevitable Tax Collector and his assistant, Bangers and Mash.

Ted Poole as the tongue-twisted Giant Blunderhead brought the house down when he thundered on to the stage to the accompaniment of music from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly.

Another highlight was the introduction of the Norfolk Shepheard, played by David Eastall, complete with Norwich City scarf and authentic accent.

John Scoines played Widow Twankey's sister, Caroline Prangle Lady Moneybags, Helen Scoines Jack, Kim Eastall Jill and Keith Phillips and David Eastall managed the sound and lights to great effect.