Jack and the Beanstalk – City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds

Writer: Peter Rowe

Director: Rob Salmon

Bursting onto the stage for 2024 is City Varieties annual Rock and Roll Pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk.

Once again, Leeds welcomes back the stellar pantomime duo Peter Rowe (writer) and Rob Salmon (Director) to give their musical twist on the old tradition of panto. If you haven’t had the pleasure of experiencing this unique style, which has been honed to perfection, you will be blown away by the incredible talent both onstage and backstage.

The entire cast not only brings to life incredible, larger-than-life characters and amazing vocal performances, but they also play multiple musical instruments while nailing high-energy dance routines. It is particularly remarkable that they remain on stage throughout the entire performance, exhibiting an unwavering supply of energy.

Rowe has stuck to the original narrative of Jack and the Beanstalk, with the addition of Jack’s (Harry F Brown) love story with Jill (Lucy Ireland) to add some drama to the piece.

Jack is a poor peasant and wants to marry his childhood sweetheart Jill, but the dastardly bad guy Flesh Creep (Kenny Davies) wants to feed Jill to the terrible giant (Timothy Roberts), so he tricks Jack into selling his lovely cow in exchange for magic beans, then he can kidnap Jill and take her to the castle in the sky and “grind her bones for bread”.

Will Jack manage to find enough gold in time to pay Flesh Creep’s ransom and save Jill? Maybe with the help of the wonderful Fairy Aubergine, played by the mega-talented Anna Soden. Her fairy is kind and bubbly, and she delivers incredible vocal performances on challenging songs. But more impressively, there doesn’t seem to be a musical instrument she can’t play as she slips ably between the character and the band.

City Varieties also welcomes back long-standing dame Simon Nock, who “this year” is playing Dame Dolly. His dame is the best you will see in the business. His side-splitting (near the knuckle) jokes, ludicrous chase scenes and boundless energy have adults and children roaring with laughter. But the biggest shout-out has to go to his costume-making team Nicole Mistry, Elizabeth Incoll, Anna Kesteven and Gabby Hopwood, who have well and truly set the standard for pantomime dames across the UK. The meticulous attention to detail and delightful absurdity elevate the dame’s performance to new heights. Ultimately, the dame’s charm is incomplete without an exquisite wardrobe.

This pantomime stands out as the ultimate holiday experience. It’s packed with humor, energy, and the vibrant spirit of Christmas, featuring outstanding performances that showcase incredible talent and unforgettable sing-along tunes. You’re sure to enjoy every moment!

Runs until 12th January 2025