Jack And The Beanstalk At The Aylesbury Waterside Theatre Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Mel Randle

Last night we donned our Christmas jumpers, dug out our finest festive paraphernalia and made our way to the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury for this year’s pantomime offering Jack And The Beanstalk. As a family – Mum, Dad and daughter 9, we are seasoned pantomime goers so we know what to expect – an evening of fun, laughter and unadulterated silliness! With this being our second year at Aylesbury, we also knew what to expect, so we popped the pac-a-macs in our bag!!

The stars of this production of Jack And The Beanstalk include Nigel Harman of Eastenders and Casualty fame, Joe Sleight, and returning for his fourteenth year, BBC’s Three Counties Radio breakfast presenter Andy Collins as Silly Simon. It was evident from audience reaction that Andy Collins, and no doubt his water antics, are what keep people returning year after year to Aylesbury’s pantomime. I’m not giving away any secrets by revealing Act 2 includes a mass audience water fight, because there is a ‘Splash Zone Warning’ on the tickets. Nowhere else will you see an auditorium awash with water pistols, umbrellas and families cowering under waterproof sheeting!!

Nigel Harman was a pleasant surprise as Fleshcreep. Many celebrity panto villains rely solely on their stage presence to carry them through (Phil Mitchell’s Fleshcreep still makes my flesh crawl to this day!), but Nigel had the whole package – acting, singing and funny with it! Leon Craig stole every scene with Dame Trots eclectic array of outfits that would give Lady Gaga a run for her money. But the real star of the show was Daisy the cow, and bravo to the (presumably) two people who are carrying that outfit night after night. It’s got to be back breaking work (literally)!

The set this year was first class as always with what I believe was the premiere of Dame Trots B.U.M machine – I’ll leave that one to your imagination until you see the show. And they upped the anti this year with the introduction of a 3D element in Act 2. We all rocked those fabulously fashionably cardboard glasses to experience thrills and chills. It was such a super edition to the show. But a word of warning, if you have arachnophobia, book an appointment with your therapist in advance!

The jokes and themes as per usual were very child friendly with a little bit of innuendo for us adults to have a little snigger. The kids were kept engaged with Labubus, K-Pop Demon Hunters and that dreaded new craze six-seven. We knew the story, the audience participation were the same songs as previous years but we never tire of them, and we had the opportunity to rock the aisles at the end. Everybody left full of festive cheer – except maybe the men in the audience who were targeted for our amusement (choose your seats carefully)!

Once again, Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury are offering a fabulous show throughout the Christmas period, a great opportunity for all generations to get together and have a fabulous afternoon and evening out! It doesn’t matter whether you’re three or ninety-three, you’re never too old to shout ‘He’s behind you’!

Rating: 5/5

Jack And The Beanstalk is live at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre until Sunday 4th January 2026. Ticket prices start from £15.00 subject to a transaction fee of £3.95. For more information and to book, visit www.atgtickets.com