Red Bus Londinium Life

The New Wimbledon Theatre played host to Jack and the Beanstalk this year, one of the 23 pantomimes producing by Crossroads pantomimes (who are also responsible for the pantomime at the London Palladium). Being part of such a large production stable, means that a local theatre is able to turn on a pantomime with extremely high production values.

Jack and the Beanstalk offered all you would want for a festive family outing: a talented cast, a plot loosely based on a recognised fairy tale, plenty of audience interaction (booooooooooooooo…..), over-the-top costumes, a colourful set and a dame dishing out enough double-entendre doses to keep the adults entertained. Staged in a beautiful theatre, surrounded by a variety of eateries, it is easy to see why the seats were crammed with happy family groups of all ages.

Alexandra Burke was an excellent baddie and the script was well-paced to give even the youngest plenty of time to clock her presence and jeer at her each time she appeared. The crowd were delighted when her X-factor winning song, Hallelujah, was worked into her rehabilitation away from evil.

Ceri Dupree played a strong dame in ever more fanciful costumes, his Cher impersonation was a particular highlight. The interplay between Dupree and sons Joe Pasquale and Benjamin Yates was hilarious and very hard to tell how much was scripted versus ad-libbed.

Special effects were by Twins FX and the puppetry behind the giant and the mechanics behind the flying car gave a real sense of a West End budget in the suburbs. The climbable beanstalk was also a triumph.

The colourful set extended well beyond the stage and was an excellent match for the ensemble’s costumes, adding an instant sense of being transported into a Little Golden Book kingdom as soon as one entered the auditorium.

The choreography was lively and it is always a treat to have a live orchestra. All told, this was an enjoyable and accomplished pantomime. South-West London families are lucky to have such a solid festive offering on their doorstep. Their 2025 offering is already on sale and will feature Ashley Banjo and Diversity.

[Thank you to New Wimbledon theatre for the gifted tickets for an honest review].