A giant of a pantomime is ready to take off this year as Lighthouse announces a larger-than-life family adventure in a brand-new production of Jack and the Beanstalk.
Jack and the Beanstalk will be made in Poole especially for Lighthouse audiences by the same team that brought the house down with last year’s national Pantomime Awards-nominated Dick Whittington, as well as the smash hit Sleeping Beauty (2024) and Panto Awards winners Aladdin (2023) and Cinderella (2022). CBeebies star and Lighthouse favourite Chris Jarvis will write and direct – and feature as Dame Trott – with production designer James Smith, choreographer Daniel Donaldson Todd and musical director Adam Tuffrey.
“It’s my favourite time of year and I can’t wait to get started,” says Chris Jarvis. “Jack and the Beanstalk has all the elements of a traditional family pantomime – a great story, brilliant actors, great comedy, songs, sets and costumes – and a few surprises as well.
“But this is the tallest of tall tales and we go on a bigger adventure than ever before, especially in the second half of the show. It really takes off!”
Sarah-Louise Young, who has made such a big impression on Poole audiences as the wicked King Rat in Dick Whittington and bad fairy Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty, will be back to court the boos and hisses as Fleshcreep.
“This will be my third time evil,” she laughs. “I am excited because I feel like there’s a relationship building with the audience of Poole. I’m getting to know people and it’s fun to think that there’s an audience of children getting to know me as a villain.
“I feel part of the family, which is really nice.”
Also returning from last year are Poole-born West End star Bernadette Bangura (Fairy Sunshine), currently on tour in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Kieran Morris (Dick Whittington) as Jack, and Robert Rees (Alderman Fitzwarren), who will play Merlin the wizard. In her first professional role, newcomer Sienna Glackin will play Jack’s sweetheart Jilly.
Opening on Thursday 10 December, Jack and the Beanstalk runs until Sunday 3 January
Tickets are already selling fast at https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/ and on 01202 280000.
(NC)