Newbury is full of beans oh yes it is!
Rehearsals began at the Corn Exchange this week for their fun-filled traditional Christmas panto Jack and the Beanstalk, which runs from Friday, November 25 to Saturday, December 31.
Led by returning award-winning comedy writing team Plested, Brown and Wilsher, Jack and the Beanstalk will take us all on another epic adventure, where you can expect plenty of jokes, songs from across the decades and magic in gigantic proportions.
They said: said: "We’re on cloud nine to reveal our phenomenal Jack and the Beanstalk cast to the good people of Newbury.
"We have some familiar faces - our gorgeous Panto Dame Trott played by the improv genius Justin Brett and heart-throb Will Beckerleg returns to wow you all with his hilarious Fairy Fabulous.
"Watch out for some clucking West End ‘chicks’, a rock and roll Jack and Jill and giant jobsworth Fleshcreep who will fine anyone who dares to make a sound! We’re delighted with the calibre of comedic and musical talent joining us in Newbury this year - our cast are definitely cool beans!"
Sev Keoshgerian who was on the European tour of The Rocky Horror Show, plays the title role of Jack, playing opposite Hannah Fairclough from the West End production of Frozen, as Jill.
Justin Brett's Dame Trott, plays alongside Georgia McIntyre and Emma Thornett as The Hot and Spicy Chicks.
Matthew Cavendish's Fleshcreep is there to boo and hiss.
The fantastic ensemble completing the cast are Lucy Elizabeth Thorburn, Samantha Richards and Robbie Noonan.
Jack and the Beanstalk is written and directed by Plested, Brown and Wilsher Pantomime, who are Clare Plested, Adam Brown and Amanda Wilsher. They have had Newbury audiences in stitches for the past three years with their fresh takes on the traditional pantomime stories Sleeping Beauty, Aladdin and Cinderella.
Joining them to make up the creative team are musical supervisor Dai Watts (The Seeker), musical director Josh Cottell (Billy Elliott) and choreographer Nicky Griffiths (39 and Counting, Love is only Love). The set & costume design is Mark Walters (Glitter Pantomimes) with sound and lighting design by the in-house team.
Last year’s panto Cinderella earned the team the Special Recognition for Innovation win and Best Pantomime (Digital) nomination at the Pantomime Awards 2022.
- This year also marks the first year of Corn Exchange Newbury’s new Pay It Forward panto appeal, helping raise funds so that those most in need in the community can enjoy this fabulous pantomime, working with local partners including schools, social prescribers and third sector organisations to identify those who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity to experience the magic.
The Corn Exchange are asking audiences and supporters to donate what they can - £11 will buy a school ticket and £25 an adult ticket so that those most in need within the community can receive a pay it forward ticket. Donations can be made at https://cornexchangenew.com/donate or audiences will have the option to donate to this appeal when they book your pantomime tickets online, in person and over the phone.
For ticket information visit www.cornexchangenew.com
- Access Performances BSL: Sunday, December, 5pm
- Relaxed: Thursday, December 29, 1.30pm
- Captioned: Friday, December 30, 1.30pm
- Audio Described: Friday, December 30, 5pm
- Adult Nights Friday, December 2, Thursday 8, Friday 9, Thursday 15 and Friday 16, 8pm
Pictures by Phil Cannings
