Fairy tale partnership continues the story of Jack and the Beanstalk
David Walliams and Sheridan Smith talk to Daniella de Wolfe about their latest project
Afairy tale dating back over three centuries, Jack And The Beanstalk continues to capture the imagination of children and adults alike.
Whether it’s the whimsical plotline, notions of overbearing giants or simply the enchanting concept of a gravity-defying beanstalk, the classic tale of good prevailing over evil is one that has stood the test of time.
However, it’s not often we spare a thought for what happens to these largerthan-life characters after the book has been closed.
It’s precisely the premise upon which writer and comedian David Walliams’ latest Sky original, Jack And The Beanstalk After Ever After, is built.
Centred around the realisation that the giant was simply knocked unconscious following his dramatic fall from the sky, the 60-minute special sees him trapped on earth with Jack, facing the wrath of the angry villagers.
“It felt of the time because it’s basically about the idea of humans and giants getting on, so it felt timely, as a metaphor,” says Walliams, 49, of the tale.
“I’ve always loved this story, it’s a British fairy tale, so it appealed to me because it’s one I really grew up with.”
In addition to co-writing the project, Walliams also takes on the role of the concussed giant, alongside Cilla actress Sheridan Smith, 39, who plays The Woman With No Name, and Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison, 35, as Dodgy Dave.
“I think most things for kids genuinely work for grown-ups too,” notes Walliams.
Despite most productions facing greater restrictions as a result of the global pandemic, on this occasion, it was a factor that eventually played into Walliams’ hands.
“We were actually meant to go to Bulgaria,” he says, “then suddenly we could film in the UK and luckily every actor in Britain had been out of work since March and so we could put together this brilliant cast.
“Sometimes you get lucky and you get your first choice and sometimes you don’t.”
Newcomer Eddie Karanja takes up the reins as a young Jack as part of the unconventional tale while Sheridan Smith co-stars as The Woman With No Name, complete with glass eye and pirate-esque eye patch for good measure, Smith looks every inch the mysterious baddie.
“When I read David’s stories, they’re so brilliant and it’s funny on the page, so you don’t have to do much work with it really,” explains Smith. “I love getting to dress up and be daft and David’s stories are always brilliant and have got a lot of heart.
“I don’t know why – I kinda regretted it afterwards – but I said to David, ‘Can I do a West Country accent?’ “And David said, ‘Trust your instincts’, so he let me do what I wanted basically.” It’s a role that saw Smith embrace method acting, declaring that at one point the crew began shouting: “Stop eating the mud, we’ve made chocolate.”
“She’s like Daniel Day-lewis,” concludes Walliams.
● Jack And The Beanstalk After Ever After airs on Sky One and NOW TV on Wednesday, 23 December