**** (4 stars)
“An Old School Panto that sparkles!”
For over one hundred years Glasgow’s Pavilion theatre has produced a pantomime that has a hard-earned reputation as the peoples panto, truly making the art of pantomime accessible to as wide and as varied an audience as its possible to have in one auditorium. Three years ago, the Pav made the decision to collaborate with Imagine Theatre for there annual extravaganza bringing new levels of production qualities alongside quirky titles and writing and this year Jock (not jack) and the Beanstalk gets the pavilion treatment in an old school panto that sparkles.
Co Written and Co Directed by Rob Marsden and Liam Dolan (Dolan also stars as Jimmy Trot) this is a distinctly Scottish show that retells the classic tale of Jock Trott, the always handsome Scott Fletcher, who lives with his brother Jimmy and his mammy Dame Tina Trott, the simply divine Craig Glover in the village of cowcuddles on the Clyde. Jocks in love with Jill Clanky, Jennifer Neil, the daughter of King Clanky, Grado, who is accompanied by Mayor Manky, Stephen Purdon. Love must wait as the nasty Fleshcreep, Jack Jester, doing the work of the nasty giant Glaikitguts wants to rule Cowcuddles and eat Buttercup the Cow. With a little help from some magic beans can Jock slay the giant, defeat Fleshcreep, save Buttercup and win the heart of Jill? This sparkling show will give you the answers.
Performances are excellent across the board with Liam Dolan leading the charge as Jimmy Trott a wonderful old school style comic that utilizes some of the oldest panto gags going including some nods to the legendary and much missed Rikki Fulton. Dolan is a class act and a natural at Panto. Grado and Stephen Purdon team up for there usual mix of nonsense although they are a little underused. Scott Fletcher and Jennifer Neil deliver well as Jock and Jill. Jack Jester gives it his all as Fleshcreep whilst not a natural panto performer he does succeed as good core baddie. The true stand out is Craig Glover as Dame Tine Trot his is a magnificent big-hearted Dame with an incredible wardrobe of frocks a true Glesga mammy who shines every moment there on stage.
The principals are joined by a six strong ensemble who get moments to shine as additional characters but also, they bring real joy, precision and polish to Stephanie Fulton’s inventive choreography. Rounding out the cast are four team of eight babes who clearly love every moment there on stage.
Production wise the limitations of the Pavilions smaller stage space are over come thanks to a clever digital set designed by Iain MacPherson with beautiful lighting design by Jason Taylor that brings out both best in the show and the venue. Yes, the beanstalk is present but is a little underwhelming, but it adds to the charm if the show. Musical director Chris Pugh and his three-piece pit band deliver the goods and the balance between pit and performers is well balanced thanks to the excellent sound design from Sam Vincent.
This is a Jock and the Beanstalk that delivers well with both adult and kids humor landing especially well and reflects the heritage of the pavilion and pantomime and reaffirms that the pav panto remains very much the peoples panto a truly wonderful magical adventure.
Jock and The Beanstalk, Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow runs until Sunday 11th January 2026 for more information and tickets go to: Book Jock and the Beanstalk tickets | Pavilion Theatre Glasgow
ScotsGay Arts 