Writer: David Bown
Director: Marcus Romer
Harrogate Theatre’s Jack and the Beanstalk, directed by Marcus Romer and written by David Bown, delivers a clever mix of playful humour and polished storytelling, following a tried and tested formula that has worked here for years. It’s a show that knows exactly what makes a pantomime work: big laughs, big personalities, and even bigger imagination. That balance of wit and wackiness shines throughout thanks to a cast and creative team firing on all cylinders.
This year’s production also arrives with real reason to celebrate – marking an incredible 25-year milestone for beloved panto favourite Tim Stedman. Fittingly, the show feels both nostalgic and newly invigorated, honouring long-held panto traditions while giving them a fresh, energetic twist.
From the moment the curtain rises, the pace barely slows. The show is a lively blend of colourful scenes, joyful musical numbers, broad physical comedy, and inside jokes that land perfectly, including crowd-pleasing nods to Your Harrogate, Bettys, the Vet Dentist and even a mention of local horseracing course, Ripon Races. Visually it’s a treat too: the towering Giant Blunderbore, the delightful puppetry of Verity Friesian (clever Estate Agent references in there) the Cow, and the unforgettable sight of Dame Tilly Trott dressed as both a giant Cornetto and a beanstalk all help create a world that is wonderfully larger than life. The up-to-date soundtrack featuring Soda Pop, Golden, and Sanctuary amongst others keeps everything feeling modern and vibrant.
The story itself has elements that stay true to the classic, with a clever back story that tells us how the giant got up there in the clouds with a random talking harp and a golden egg-laying hen: times are tough for Dame Trott and her ice cream shop, and Jack (Dora Gee), which in this case is short for Jacqueline, struggles to be helpful. A handful of mysterious beans soon leads our heroine and her friends up a magical beanstalk to rescue her BFF from a very hungry giant. It’s a familiar tale told with enthusiasm, humour, and plenty of sparkle.
The cast is uniformly strong. Harry Wyatt, in his third Harrogate panto season, makes a superb Dame Trott – warm, funny, and blessed with a fantastic voice. Michael Lambourne, Associate Director and performer, gives a brilliant double turn as twin brothers Fleshcreep and King Bumble, complete with rapid-fire costume changes. Shannon Rewcroft shines as the Forest Fairy and is even better as a wonderfully chaotic Scottish granny, delivering a pitch-perfect accent and a show-stealing tartan ensemble complete with sporran and bagpipes. Think Supergran crossed with Granny Murray from the kids show Me Too! and you’ll have a fair idea. And Tim Stedman remains a whirlwind of silliness and generosity on stage, effortlessly connecting with audiences of all ages.
There are a few longer scene changes, but the charm, chemistry, and infectious energy of the performers more than make up for it. With great banter, impressive costumes, and a cast clearly enjoying every moment, Jack and the Beanstalk is a magical family panto that delivers giant-sized dollops of fun.
Runs until 18th January 2026.
