Jack And The Beanstalk At The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford Review

Reviewed by Helen Noble

PANTOMIME Jack and the beanstalk – The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford.
10th December 2022 – 22nd January 2023
Running time – 2 hours 15mins including interval.

When you think it can’t possibly beat the previous years but they have done it again, and produced a top spectacular performance.

The time has come again for Bradford’s spectacular pantomime, starring the legend comedian Billy Pearce as Farmer Billy, Emmerdale star and king of the jungle Danny Miller as Jack and Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK runner-up Divina De Campo as The Spirit of the Beans. The trio are joined by West End performers Jocasta Almgill as Queen Josephine and Aisha Jawando as Princess Jill, alongside Bradford favourite Sarah Goggin as Mrs Blundermore.

On arriving at the theatre Christmas had really begun, Santa Claus was stood on the red carpet entrance welcoming everyone as they arrived, taking time to speak to the children, handing out small gifts, and having photos taken, a beautiful decorated tree stood proud in the foyer of the building, this all added to the festive build up of the show.

This rendition of Jack and the Beanstalk sees Jack set out on a quest to climb the giant beanstalk to cloud land to save his beloved cow he had sold for magical beans, he needs to save Pat the cow before he is fed to the giant. Along with the story there are various other acts from a wonky donkey to an extremely long tongue twister, Billy as usual has everyone joining in as soon as he comes onto the stage, he was so funny that your sides hurt with laughing not only the children but the adults too especially with his witty tongue in cheek humour, my granddaughters age 9 & 6 were proper belly laughing. And who knew Billy could fly!

The Queen also holds a variety show to which then the pantomime switches to a magnificent balancing act called Rola Rola aka David Roberts his performance has you sat on the edge of your seat and at one point I had to cover my eyes.

The stage scenes interchanged using magnificent backdrops, the sound was loud and clear, the lighting was immense along with the spectacular special effects from the growing beanstalk to falling leaves, flames of fire and not forgetting the mahoosive giant!

A night of cheeky banter from Billy and his son Jack (Danny Miller) will have you laughing from start to finish, with plenty of audience participation. When you think it can’t possibly beat the previous years but they have done it again, and produced a top spectacular performance.

The Alhambra is a traditional theatre, the main theatre building is modern with bright lights which not only look fabulous but makes the building easy to find. You are welcomed by friendly smiling staff, who are more than happy to help in whatever way they can. On the ground floor there is a ticket kiosk and a kiosk for purchasing soft drinks and sweets. On the first floor there is an impressive bar/café area. The venue has disabled parking onsite to the left of the buildings entrance it says no entry but there is a buzzer system to allow entry. There are also plenty of carparks within a couple of minutes walking distance from the venue, one on Sharpe street which is just up the hill from the Alhambra, If using an NCP car park if you inform the ticket office on arrival they give you an additional parking ticket to enable a discount on your parking fee.

Rating: 5/5

Tickets cost from £17 – £41 (booking fees may apply).

For more information or to book tickets please visit Jack and The Beanstalk | The Alhambra Theatre (bradford-theatres.co.uk)