Jack and the Beanstalk at Gala Durham Review
Written by Stacy for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
Gala Durham’s Jack and the Beanstalk doesn’t tiptoe quietly into its story. Instead, it explodes with colour, music and charisma, daring you not to fall instantly under its magical spell. Within minutes, I was laughing so hard I couldn’t tell whether it was the cast’s energy or the audience’s excitement that was making the room vibrate.
The story follows Jack’s quest to save the family dairy by selling his beloved cow for a handful of 'worthless' beans that turn out to be anything but. With the help of Muddles, a towering beanstalk shoots into the clouds, leading Jack, Muddles, and Bridget into a world of giants, danger, and unexpected magic. It’s a classic panto tale told with wild imagination as heroes leap into adventure, villains plot doom, and friendships, bravery and quick thinking triumph in the most bonkers way possible.
Kieron Michael’s Jack is a force of nature. His comedy works on every single level with sharp one-liners, playful physicality, clever reactions and a joyful unpredictability you get from a performer who’s completely alive in the moment. Jude Nelson’s Muddles is pure panto sunshine. Warm, lovable and endlessly charming. Every time Muddles bounded onstage with a knowing 'Yoohoo', the atmosphere lifted and it felt like greeting a best friend.
The supporting cast also shine just as brightly, with each adding their own magic to the story. Sarah Bulmer (Mrs Tinkle/Mrs Bakewell) brings a confident, bubbly presence that anchors the livelier scenes. She has an instinct for humour, delivering her lines with an easy brightness that keeps the audience engaged. Lucy Davis (Bridget) lights up the stage the moment she enters. She combines warmth and playful wit, delivering every line with such timing and precision. Her chemistry with the cast is effortless, creating a joyful camaraderie, and her singing is outstanding. Clear, confident, and full of character.
Adam Donaldson (Professor Hang-Claw/Mr Gate Crush) gives a wonderfully bold, detail-packed performance. Every gesture and every look is considered. He has that rare ability to switch between big comedy and nuanced villain energy without blinking. And Susie Barrett (Bronwen/Agatha) is irresistible to watch throughout. She has a radiant stage presence and a sparkle to her performance that makes her scenes entertaining.
Director Jacob Anderton keeps the production moving along with clarity and momentum as scenes feel purposeful, polished and packed with personality. He understands exactly how to balance heart, humour and spectacle, and the result is a show that feels both wonderfully silly and surprisingly cohesive.
The choreography from Helen West is a standout triumph. The routines are big, bold and beautifully musical. The dancers are everywhere, shaping scenes, adding story texture and exploding into sequences with impeccable technique. Their energy is phenomenal; they don’t just perform the choreography, they set it on fire. Every move has confidence and the ensemble’s stage presence gives the production a real sense of scale.
This energy is amplified by Gabrielle Ball’s musical direction as only the richness of a live band can do. There’s something unbeatable about the immediacy of live music - that subtle, responsive rapport between musicians and actors that makes every number feel freshly charged and thrillingly alive.
What stood out was how wholeheartedly everyone threw themselves into the show. There wasn’t a single half-measure or reserved moment and the cast attacked every joke, every musical number and every interaction with full-bodied enthusiasm. You could feel the joy radiating off the stage, and it bounced straight back from the audience.
By the final bow, the whole theatre felt alive in response to this gloriously silly, fabulously joyful and entirely unforgettable show. Gala Durham’s Jack and the Beanstalk isn’t just a panto, it’s a celebration of performance, personality and pure festive fun.
Jack and the Beanstalk plays at Gala Durham until 31 December
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
