Jack and the Beanstalk Archives

Jack and the Beanstalk – Festival Theatre

22Dec

By Susan CohenNo Comments

Scotland

Jack and the Beanstalk – Festival Theatre

What never fails to amaze about Edinburgh’s panto is that year after year, it seems to reinvent itself. This year the city’s beloved panto team delivered the most intriguing combination – an unpredictable quirkiness on a stage dressed with the most spectacular set. This production was exquisitely lit and its set extravagantly and effectively designed so that it felt like something special, something pretty swanky well before the first flash of (many) pyrotechnics. Indeed, it was so extravagant that the cost was comedically referred to by Allan Stewart (Dame May McTrot) on more than one occasion, pointing out that sacrifices had to be made in the budget elsewhere. Funny? Yes. True? Most probably. And so, there we all went, flying headlong into Panto...

Jack and the Beanstalk Adult Pantomime – Kings Head Theatre

2Dec

By Zain RussellNo Comments

London

Jack and the Beanstalk Adult Pantomime – Kings Head Theatre

As the festive season approaches, so does the beloved tradition of pantomimes, and this year the King’s Head Theatre adds its own cheeky twist with Jack and the Beanstalk. The production offers two versions, one family-friendly and one strictly for adults, and it was the adults-only performance that truly pushed the boundaries in the most hilarious way. This late-night rendition revels in adult humour, packed with innuendos and outrageous character names including the wonderfully provocative Fairy Flick My Bean. Elliott Backer-Costello as Jack and Joseph Lukehurst as the villainous Nightshade showcased brilliant chemistry throughout, especially during their more risqué physical comedy moments. Their playful, exaggerated antics, sometimes ending up in hilariously compromising positions, ...

Jack and the Beanstalk – Lyric Hammersmith

24Nov

By Olivia CoxNo Comments

London

Jack and the Beanstalk – Lyric Hammersmith

Written by Sonia Jalalay and directed by Nicholai La Barrie, Lyric Hammersmith’s new production of Jack and the Beanstalk doesn’t totally follow the classic pantomime story. Introducing the story is the Fairy Godfather (a hilarious Jade Hackett), who explains that the people of Hammersmith are in a critical imagination deficit. With an ‘imagination meter’ framing the whole stage, our Fairy Godfather wants us to hit the top level of HEIOMGN: Huge-Epic-Imagination-OMG-Nirvana. The big problem? The ruthless, authoritarian Fleshcreep Academy. John Partridge hams it up — literally, donning a pepperoni-print suit — as the cruel Fleshcreep, instilling rules such as “no singing”, “no dancing” and “no joy” as part of his educational regime. His greatest punishment for children is sending them...

Jack and the Beanstalk – Everyman Theatre

21Nov

By Rebecca CaseyNo Comments

North West

Jack and the Beanstalk – Everyman Theatre

The Everyman Rock ‘N’ Roll Panto, Jack and the Beanstalk An evening of pure joy, flying fairies, giants, Beanstalks and magical escapism and unbelievable musical talent. With a cast of 8 high energy performers and 2 off stage understudies. This group is astoundingly talented. The musicians are visible throughout on a raised platform and I couldn’t believe how many instruments each performer was able to play, effortlessly interchanging from acting, to playing a flute then singing and dancing then onto guitar. Photo: Ellie Kurttz I have seen productions where the performance is lacking due to casting actors who are stronger at one of the disciplines but tonight this was not the case. Together they created a fantastic sound vocally and musically. It was also a good eclectic balanc...

Jack and the Beanstalk – Sheffield City Hall

31Dec

By Tracey BellNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Jack and the Beanstalk – Sheffield City Hall

A stellar cast climbs the heights! The City Hall, Sheffield hosted the opening night of Manor Operatic Society’s Jack and the Beanstalk last night to a packed and lively family audience. Reputed to be the largest amateur pantomime in the country, Manor yet again pulled out all the stops not to disappoint. With a strong, polished and large cast, they filled the large City Hall stage to the brim with laughter and pantomime traditions in their ‘bucket’ load! This pantomime is fully immersive and not one expected ‘pantomime must have’ is missing. From the expected messy baking scene to the tune of Sweet Caroline, to the children invited on stage, and the obligatory ‘it’s behind you’ mayhem - to the audience participation – retorts filled the auditorium and MOS gave the audience what they wa...

Jack and the Beanstalk – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

7Dec

By Peter RuddickNo Comments

North West

Jack and the Beanstalk – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

Panto is about tradition. Where the big producing houses, and their star-led shows, can never succeed is in developing a joyful familiarity that is nurtured and continued from year to year. That is the superpower of smaller venues, like the Altrincham Garrick Playhouse. But not all theatres are aware of that. Some stray from the path of success. It is a pleasure to report that, yet again, the Garrick gets it and has delivered. There was a slight first night hitch, however. Cast illness meant there was a panto dame-shaped hole to fill. Step up show director, and artistic director, Joseph Meighan. After a long rehearsal process, it is the kind of problem that must feel insurmountable backstage. On stage, however, the audience experience was no less at all. In fact, theatregoers ...

Jack and the Beanstalk: What A Whopper! – Charing Cross Theatre

1Dec

By Alan Stuart MalinNo Comments

London

Jack and the Beanstalk: What A Whopper! – Charing Cross Theatre

For those who think pantomime is merely a children’s festive pastime, ‘Jack and the Beanstalk: What a Whopper!’ gleefully shatters all expectations with its unapologetically adult spin on the classic theatre genre. Written by Jon Bradfield and Martin Hooper and directed by Andrew Beckett, this production isn’t just sprinkled with innuendo, it’s flooded in wickedly clever humour and deliciously naughty smut, which keeps the audience roaring with laughter throughout. Photo: Steve Gregson From the moment the curtains rise it is clear that this is not your typical Christmas show. The plot, centered on Jack Trott’s (Keanu Adolphus Johnson) quest for something “truly giant”. Jack is poor, gay, and very horny, living 10 miles from the nearest Grindr user in the quaint Yorkshire Village of U...

16Dec

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Jack and the Beanstalk – Regent Theatre

Well, it's here again (oh yes it is!), one of the most important dates in Stoke- on-Trent’s calendar. Its panto time! Written by Alan Mc Hugh, this year it is ‘Jack and The Beanstalk’ being performed at The Regent Theatre and perhaps more importantly, it is the return of Stokes very own and very much loved, Jonny Wilkes. Directed by Wilkes and Owen, both who also perform in the production, most must be familiar with this popular story of Jack who is asked to sell Daisy the cow at Market and returns with a bag of beans. The beans grow into a colossal beanstalk that Jack must climb to get to the top and save the day. Wilkes plays the part of Jack, a (very) simple soul who sells the families beloved cow ‘Daisy’ at the market (Leek Market that is). Wilkes is a master at treading the fine...

Jack and the Beanstalk – Floral Pavilion

14Dec

By Damian RiverolNo Comments

North West

Jack and the Beanstalk – Floral Pavilion

Floral Pavilion and Martin Dodd for UK Productions bring Jack and The Beanstalk to the Floral Pavilion for the festive period. A well-known panto that has been told in many ways and this is no different. We follow the Trott family who are poor and are trying to find the money to survive and pay the £1000 the King (Tom Sterling) tells them they need to pay. So, they must sell their beloved Sandra Bullock, The Cow (Amy Walker) at market. Along the way we are introduced to many characters, such as Flesh Creep (Joseph Elliot), The Vegetable Fairy (Hayley Tamaddon) and Princess Jill (Rachel Grundy). The Trott family are made up of Dame Trott played by Oliver Brooks, Simple Simon played by Sean Jones and the title character, Jack, played by the wonderful Joe Sleight. The set for Jack an...

Jack And The Beanstalk – Opera House, Manchester

8Dec

By Hannah WildeNo Comments

North West

Jack And The Beanstalk – Opera House, Manchester

Christmas is never complete without a token pantomime performance - and what better show to see to get you feeling Christmassy than Guy Unsworth’s dynamic and innovative reworking of Jack and the Beanstalk. Touted as “the second biggest show in Manchester”, this panto really did have it all - a star-studded cast, sensational sets, brilliant costumes, fabulous song and dance sequences, a script jam-packed full of witty repartee (and even a flying car, wholly reminiscent of theatre favourite Chitty Chitty Bang Bang). What really brought this show to life was its exuberant characters - headlined by comedian Jason Manford, he was of course the titular character of Jack Trot, who not only had the lion’s share of the jokes but had some great musical numbers too. That said, every panto (...