REVIEW: JACK AND THE BEANSTALK @ NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE

🎭 Jack and the Beanstalk

📍 New Wimbledon Theatre, 93 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London, SW19 1QG

🗓 Tuesday 10th December 2024

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SPECTACULAR FAMILY FUN

It's that time of year again (oh, yes it is!) and this year's offering at London's New Wimbledon Theatre is the gigantic pantomine JACK AND THE BEANSTALK and last week I was invited along to the gala night to watch and review the production.

This magical pantomime had absolutely everything you could wish for and more. From the very beginning it was a dazzling spectacle and was utterly brilliant. The sets constantly provided 'wow' moments and alongside the sound and lighting designs, JACK AND THE BEANSTALK was a technical masterpiece.

As a huge panto fan it's safe to say that I have seen my fair share of them over the years and I have to say that in my opinion this was the best panto I have ever seen. A huge part of this is down to the epic casting.

Joe Pasquale is a childhood hero of mine and I grew up watching him in the 80s and 90s. He is the perfect choice for panto because he has honed his act to perfection over the years and is great with an audience. He entered the stage as Silly Simon at a hundred miles an hour and his energy never dropped. The way he bounces off both his cast and audience members is legendary. He had the audience erupting with laughter throughout with his cheeky and childlike ways and his comical mishaps. This is Joe Pasquale at his very best.

Ceri Dupree was faaaaaaabulous as Dame Trot, stealing the show with his epic costumes and some seriously quick changes. I have seen Ceri in panto before so knew I was in for an absolute treat seeing him again and if I could turn back time, I'd watch his Cher routine again and again! So often recently panto's have been missing a Dame and Ceri's performance proved just how valuable a role it is.

As the evil Mrs Blunderbore Alexandra Burke was an absolute sensation. She is so lovely in person but was deliciously dastardly as the baddie here creating real tension, and her bathing in the boos that come with the role was iconic! The audience exploded in ecstasy as she performed her hits Bad Boys and Hallelujah.

The fantastic casting continued with Musical Theatre icon Ria Jones giving charm and charisma as The Spirit of th Beans, West End heartthrob Benjamin Yates displaying stunning vocals as Jack Trot and Natalie Chua rounding off the cast beautifully as Princess Jill. The ensemble here were also phenomenal, executing their choreography with utter precision they were just a joy to behold.

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK is pure chaotic comedy, led by Pasquale and Dupree who delight the audience and torture their co-stars! The stand-out moment of the evening came during the '12 Days of Christmas' routine, which had me laughing out loud and struggling to breath through the laughter or to see through the tears in my eyes.

The camaraderie within the company emitted across the theatre auditorium and it's as if we all became one family for the evening. So often a pantomime turns into a variety show with each person performing their own act, and although there were elements of that here it felt like a real ensemble piece with was a sheer delight.

There is only one word to describe JACK AND THE BEANSTALK at the New Wimbledon Theatre and that is SPECTACULAR. If you only see one panto this festive season, this is definitely the one to see. It is playing until Sunday 5th January 2025. Click here to secure your tickets.

Neill Kovacic-Clarke

All views are my own and I pride myself on being honest, fair and free from influence. Theatre is subjective and it is important to remember that all views expressed are just those of one person.

My ticket for this performance of Jack and the Beanstalk was gifted by New Wimbledon Theatre who invited me to watch the show in exchange for my honest review. The fact that my ticket was gifted played no part in the content of my review or the star rating given.

CAST LIST:

Alexandra Burke as Mrs Blunderbore; Joe Pasquale as Silly Simon; Ceri Dupree as Dame Trot; Ria Jones as The Spirit of the Beans; Natalie Chua as Princess Jill; Benjamin Yates as Jack Trot

Emsemble: Rhys Britt; Sebastian Goffin; Gabriela Gregorian; Macy James; Lilly Laight; Brontë MacMillan; Alex Pinder; Dylan Saffer

RUNNING TIME (approx):

2 hours, including interval