When it comes to Christmas traditions for families living in Swansea, there’s one event in particular that many mark their calendar by. The annual pantomime has been a firm favourite for generations of people living in the city, with young and old flocking to the city’s historic Grand Theatre each and every year for stories of fairytale adventures.
And this year is no different, returning with the production of Jack and the Beanstalk. Produced by award-winning Imagine Theatre, it transports audiences to ‘Merry Mumbles’, telling the story of The Trotts, who are so poor they have to consider selling their beloved family cow, Buttercup, to survive, all whilst a giant terrifies those living in the village.
This year’s star attraction is Scott Mills, who spends the festive season in Swansea hot off the heels of being named the new BBC Radio Two breakfast host. The panto sees him swap the decks of the Beeb for ‘Merry Mumbles FM’, portraying the character Mayor Mills, arriving on stage in a glittery DJ booth. For the latest Swansea news, sign up to our newsletter here.
“Times are hard at Mumbles FM – I have to do everything. That’s why I had to leave Zoe Ball go,” Mills jokes in the panto, paying reference to taking over the show from the former presenter, who decided to leave the show after six years to focus on family. He also has a go at the local lingo, using phrases like ‘Ych a fi’ and ‘minging’, and likens the giant’s castle as “Not as scary as Wind Street on a Saturday night”.
Another famous face adding star power to this year’s show is Mark Read, who achieved global fame in the multi-platinum selling boyband A1. The 46-year-old takes on the title role of Jack. He has great on-stage chemistry with Christina Harris, who plays Jill, and fans of his work will be pleased to hear he gives a rendition of his band’s biggest chart success, Take On Me, as he instructs audience members to put their hands in the air and clap along.
A1’s Mark Read as Jack Trot -Credit:Phil Rees
But as usual, it is the double act of Matt Edwards and Kevin Johns who steal the show. Edwards, this year playing Larry Trott, is now a regular at the Swansea panto, and has become so popular that there were massive cheers that went up at the first sound of his voice, as he made his way through the stalls onto the stage. He is the perfect fit for panto with his slapstick comedy, animated expressions and high-energy. Having first shot to fame on Britain’s Got Talent performing magic, he treats the audience to a routine during the show too.
Swansea icon Kev of course needs no introduction, with this performance being his 26th panto at the Grand and 32nd overall. He plays Dame Tilly Trott, and has the audience laughing from the moment he arrives in elaborate yellow dress and large feathered green hat, whilst riding around on a scooter. The entertainer, who is also Swansea City match day announcer, couldn’t resist a joke at their arch rivals expense, with the quip: “I’m only wearing my Cardiff city bra, no cups and very little support.”
Kev Johns, as Dame Tilly Trot, and Jo Osmond, as Poison Ivy -Credit:Phil Rees
The cast performs -Credit:Phil Rees
Fairy Ffion, played by Celyn Cartwright, led the narrative of the show with warmth, and her counterpart, Jo Osmond, as baddie Poison Ivy, kept the crowd booing and hissing. Her performance of Lady Gaga’s Born This Way, together with an ensemble dressed as creepy crawlies, starts the second half off strong.
In true panto fashion, there’s plenty of familiar sing-a-longs which a family audience can enjoy, including the theme tune to Friends, Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations and Total Eclipse of The Heart by Swansea’s very own Bonnie Tyler. There’s also a cow-punned medley changing the lyrics of classic juke-box hits to listen out for.
And there’s lots to keep the younger members of the audience mesmerised, in particular the sequences of the beanstalk rising into the sky, and scenes featuring Giant Blunderbore (Thomas Brackley, voiced by Andy Hockley) and Buttercup the Cow (Ella Goodie, Natalie Twist, Molly Lewis).
Jo Osmond, as Poison Ivy, with Buttercup -Credit:Phil Rees
The digital set, which has been a fixture of the panto at the Grand for a number of years now, does wonders in transporting the audience from location to location, and in some moments is vital to the scene itself, highlighted mostly in the time-honoured ‘It’s Behind You’ scene. The lighting, designed by Jamie Corbidge, also combines expertly at times, in particular the face-off scene between Jack and the giant.
This year’s panto is supporting the National Autistic Society, Everyone Deserves A Christmas, and the Lord Mayor’s Charity, with audience members encouraged to donate money in collection pots as they leave the auditorium. Swansea Grand’s pantomime has now been running since 1947, and this year proves it is only going from strength to strength. So round up the family, head to the theatre and enjoy a fun-filled couple of hours.
Jack And The Beanstalk is on at Swansea Grand Theatre until Sunday, January 5. Tickets can be purchased by clicking here. Join our WhatsApp news community here for the latest breaking news. You will receive updates from us daily.