Theatre Royal Stratford East announces cast and creatives for Jack And The Beanstalk panto

Theatre Royal Stratford East has announced the cast and creatives for its 2023 pantomime Jack And The Beanstalk.

The venue’s unique twist on the panto favourite features a book and lyrics by Succession/Killing Eve writer Anna Jordan with music and lyrics by Stratford East pantomime veteran Robert Hyman.

Making up the cast are Lucy Frederick as Flesh Creep, Max Gill as Bill, Nathan Kiley as dame Milky Linda, Savanna Jeffrey as Winnie the Moo, Eli London as Ensemble, Billy Lynch as Junior, Nikhil Singh Rai as Jack and Jamie Tait as Ensemble.

Stratford East’s Sky Arts Associate Artist for 2023 Denzel Westley-Sanderson helms the production with set and costume design by Lily Arnold, lighting design by Simisola Majekodunmi, sound design by Beth Duke, musical direction by Lee Freeman, chorography by André Fabien Francis, assistant direction by Ashen Gupta, casting direction by Richard Johnston for Pippa Ailion casting, illusion consultation by Sam Lupton and costume supervision by Isobel Pellow.

Welcome to Splatford! Jack lives here with his cow, Winnie The Moo, and his mum, Milky Linda. The town is home to a magical marsh full of healing mud, which Jack and his pals spend their days mining. But there’s a BIG problem: Giant Belch. He dominates Splatford from the sky – stealing the mud, charging outrageous rents and polluting the air with his burps and farts!

One odd shepherd, a handful of beans and an unexpected beanstalk later, Jack is on a life-changing journey. Can he reach the top? Can he defeat Flesh Creep – Belch’s hateful henchwoman who has seriously got it in for him? Can he triumph over Belch and be crowned Splatford’s unlikely hero? And can he make Milky Linda proud?

Stratford East pantos are full of original music, outrageous characters and famous for tearing up the rulebook and telling classic stories with a special Stratford East twist.

Writer Anna Jordan said: “I’ve never written a panto before. Right at the beginning I put together a ‘Panto Manifesto’ which I shared with the creative team. The manifesto stated that because panto is very often people’s first experience of theatre it doesn’t make it as important as an “ordinary” play, It makes it MORE important. It also stated that every child or young person that comes to our show is a VIP. We really hope you enjoy what we’ve made as much as we’ve enjoyed making it!”

Writer (music and lyrics) Robert Hyman added: “It’s incredible to think that this is my 25th year making panto at Stratford East. But the truth is nobody does it like Stratford with its unique blend of original music and unexpected surprises. It truly is a show for absolutely everybody. It’s what Christmas is all about and, for me, it wouldn’t be Christmas without it!”

Director Denzel Westley-Sanderson commented: “I’m thrilled to be directing this year’s pantomime at Stratford East. Panto is a cherished British tradition and serves as many people’s first live theatre experience, including mine! I’m very much looking forward to working with this incredible cast and creative team as we deliver a fresh and bold retelling of this iconic story. Everyone is invited to join in on the excitement!”

For more information and tickets, visit stratfordeast.com