Review: Jack and the Beanstalk Pantomime

(Image courtesy of the Marlowe Theatre)

21st December 2021

By Elle Summers

As the end of term is rolling around, and deadline day is rearing its ugly head, we will soon all be able to relax and allow ourselves the time to feel festive! And what’s a better way to kick of the Christmas break than with a Pantomime?

As a kid, I used to love heading out year after year to watch the Pantomime in my hometown, mind I was only ever taken to a small production that my Great Aunt starred in (or so she thought, I’m personally not sure that playing a tree qualifies for that categorisation!) But the Pantomime at the Marlowe is no small feat!

I’m sure many of you have seen the show advertised across town for many weeks now, with the Marlowe lighting up green of an evening too. I had the pleasure of viewing the show recently with a few friends of mine, and it finally felt like Christmas.

If you used to go to the Pantomime in your childhood, then I would definitely recommend Jack and the Beanstalk for it doesn’t disappoint. All the stereotypes are there, from the Dame who constantly changes into crazier outfits, to the ‘he’s behind you’ trope, to someone getting covered in cream pie. It is made clear however, that the majority of the audience are made up of annual attendees, for many of the jokes were finished by the crowd, much to my initial confusion.

The cast line up included Duncan James from the boyband Blue (the middle-aged mums were loving him!), Strictly Come Dancing’s Joanne Clifton, Marlowe favourite Ben Roddy, returning villain Marc Pickering, Milkshake! presenter Nathan Connor and South Pacific star Bobbie Chambers.

The British Theatre Guide called the Pantomime ‘a celebration of friendship, love, inclusivity and respect … Jack and the Beanstalk is everything contemporary pantomime should be.’ This quote refers nicely to the fact that Jack and the Beanstalk stands as the first pantomime to include a same-sex marriage, promoting equality in a fun and family-friendly setting. It is safe to say this outcome received many cheers from the onlooking audience.

With an ending number that saw the cast dressed up in the iconic Blue style had the crowd cheering along. The auditorium was a buzz with excited children, adults enjoying a moment of feeling young again and students on the search of festive cheer.

If you’re looking for a night of childhood nostalgia and laughs, then The Marlowe Pantomime 2021 is for you! You can check out all that is to come at the Marlowe Theatre in the new year here as well.