“A Joyous celebration of all that’s good in panto! “
***** 5 Stars
The Edinburgh King’s Panto return’s one more time to the Festival Theatre owing to a delay in the revamp of the King’s the team bring Jack and The Beanstalk to Edinburgh’s biggest stage and delivery a production that’s pure west end but with the beating heart of Edinburgh’s rich panto heritage and that essential touch of magic that the triumvirate of Stewart, Stott and Young can only produce, this is a giant of panto in every respect and see’s the team leave the Festival theatre with an almighty bang.
Written by Harry Michaels & Allan Stewart, with additional material by Matt Slack, Grant Stott & Jordan Young this is a panto that’s admittedly light on story but embraces wonderfully the formula that works brilliantly at the London Palladium and that’s good old-fashioned Variety. Spectacular musical numbers blend with excellent comedy as the team blast there way through a sleigh full of sketches all wrapped around the familiar story of Jack and The Beanstalk, but the writers give the audience the credit that they know the tale inside out and that allows for a joyous celebration of all that’s good in panto to unfold.
Allan Stewart marks his golden anniversary, yes! 50 years, in panto this year, with 28 of those in frocks as dame, and he proves he still in the form of his life as Dame May McTrott makes her entrance and becomes the driving force of the show. His legs are still the best in the business and once again Stewart gets through a plethora of outrageous frocks including the biggest boobs in pantoland that leaves the audience in stitches. Grant Stott returns to his original baddie “Fleshcreep” and he simply has to step out onto stage and the boo’s ring out loud and clear and he laps them up, there isn’t better baddie to be found and Stott gives his creations the right flavour of local “ned” but still brings enough of a scary edge to give the child in all of us a thrill, he really Is the big tidy of villains. Jordan Young brings out the best in his daft laddie character as he takes the title role of Jack McTrott, and he is adored by the audience and has become a cherished corner stone of the Edinburgh panto team. Clare Gray returns as a couthy “Pat the Cow” sadly she is a little underused, but boy does she make every moment on stage count and the emotional nods to her father by Clare as well as Stewart and Stott don’t go unnoticed and adds an endearing quality to the show. Local lass Gail Watson shines as the Spirit of the Beans often great things come in smaller packages and Watson delivers in spades. Amber Sylvia Edwards brings sweetness and great vocals to the role Princess Jill.
The principals are joined by a ten strong ensemble who shine equally when on stage and never more so than when delivering Karen Martins inspired choreography. Director Ed Curtis takes the helm for his 12th panto with the Edinburgh team and fully understands what Edinburgh audiences want and delivers that in spades with a show which is tight throughout and cracks along at a great pace.
Production wise this is simply a triumph. Olivier nominated and award-winning set designer Mark Walters London Palladium set looks absolutely gorgeous on the Festival stage it sparkles like a story book come to life and is enriched by Rory Beaton’s sublime lighting design that’s every inch pure west end. Ryan Dewar delivers the goods with a fun video and projection design with a live camera sketch given a hilarious outing. Richard Brooker’s sound design is perfectly balanced with musical director Andy Pickering and his five strong pit band bringing polished music to the show.
Special mention must go to costume designer Teresa Nalton and her team, (Additional Costume design by Ron Brings and speciality costume design and construction by Mike Coltman) the costumes this year drip luxury and big budget from the get-go and encapsulates the magic of pantomime.
Speaking of magic, the cherry on this panto cake are the special effects from those talented boys at Twins FX and this year the biggest of giants and beanstalk appear to spectacular effect that has the audience gasping in wonder.
Jack and the Beanstalk delivers everything it sets out to do and that’s allowing our beloved King’s panto team to take a spectacular final bow at the festival theatre whilst delivering the perfect festive treat that’s now become beloved by generations of families.
As the curtain fell its clear all eyes are on a spectacular return home to the Kings with the debut of Pinocchio an until now unseen panto in Edinburgh but rest assured the triumvirate will be back, but my word they have a job on there hands to top this years dose of pure panto perfection that’s selling out performance after performance so you’d better rush up the beanstalk and to the festival theatre for those last remaining tickets for this year’s spectacular!.
Jack and the Beanstalk, the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh Runs until Sunday 11th January 2026 for tickets go to: Jack and the Beanstalk – Capital Theatres
Capital Theatre’s has confirmed that pantomime will return home to the King’s Theatre with Pinocchio from Saturday 28th November 2026 to Sunday 17th January 2027 and tickets are now on sale at: The Adventures of Pinocchio – Capital Theatres
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