Jack and the Beanstalk – Mary Stevens Hospice Panto Co.
Reviewed 13 February 2026
5/5
A panto full of high-octane beans!
Once again the Mary Stevens Hospice Pantomime Company have come up trumps with a pantomime that really is full of beans! Written by Amanda Bowen (producer), Will Phipps (director & Jack Trott), James Totney (Choreographer) & Wally Wombat (Dame Trott), the journey starts on the Trott Farm, where they are trying to save the animals from the Giant Blunderbore and his wife, Mrs Blunderbore. As you might expect, we are treated to all sorts of mayhem along the way, including a Royal Variety Performance, which had more variety than it’s well known namesake!
Each year a celebrity joins the local cast, and this year we are treated to not one, but two. Chico of X Factor fame takes on the role of King Chico, and the voice of the giant is provided by non other than Jason Manford! Chico has just the right amount of cheeky charm as he keeps the townsfolk in line, and of course he brings the wedding party to a crescendo with his hit single – ‘Chico Time!’ (can’t believe that was released some twenty years ago!)
Being set on a farm, we are treated to a range of animals from Mr Rooster and the Golden Hen, both played by several children over the course of the week, Karen the Lazy Pig played by Karen Bayley, and of course, Daisy the Cow, played by Jill Dixon and Alison Goodwin. The children who played Mr Rooster and The Golden Hen on the night we were in did did a splendid job, and soon won over the audience, while Karen used all her stand-up experience to bring some hilarious moments with Lazy Pig and her quest to star in a Broadway Show (those who spotted the pork scratchings moment may well still be laughing!). Poor Jill and Alison as Daisy received a few inadvertent knocks through the evening when things landed on Daisy’s head rather than in the wings, but had the audience on side, especially when poor Daisy was sold for the all important beans.
The young dancers must have been exhausted as they poured all their energy into James’ high-octane routines which ranged from kick-lines to jazz, and everything inbetween.
With some amazing voices, great dancing, and plenty of comedy, the team have yet again pulled off a truly magical pantomime with some amazing special effects, which include a novel way for Jack to reach the top of the beanstalk, and all to raise much needed funds for the Mary Stevens Hospice to allow them to carry on their amazing work. If you can get a ticket, we really recommend a visit to this full energy panto.
Jack and the Beanstalk runs until 18th February 2026.
www.boroughhalls.co.uk/msh-jack-and-the-beanstalk.html