Jack and the Beanstalk Brings Action-Packed Festive Fun to The Roses
Tewkesbury’s Beanstalk Offers Festive Fun, Contemporary Twists, and Exciting Action at The Roses
Tewkesbury’s Roses Theatre is welcoming back its annual pantomime this festive season – and the creative team promise that old favourites will sit side by side with new talent and all-action twists!
Jack and the Beanstalk will take over The Roses from 29 November to 3 January, with morning, matinee and evening performances to suit every schedule. And the watchword for this year’s production is action, say the team behind the production. BOOK NOW
“We really wanted this year’s panto to be packed with thrills,” says The Roses’ former Director, Jess Brewster. Having left her post on 1 September, Jess is staying on as director of Jack and the Beanstalk, making it her fond farewell to the theatre she has led for five years. She is keen to go with a bang.
“From astonishing sets to big song-and-dance numbers and that huge beanstalk, there will be so much happening on-stage,” she promises. “Our Jack is even a trained tumbler, so he’ll be leaping, jumping, and climbing all over the place throughout! You’ve never seen such an energetic panto!”
“Return to the Roses!”
The Roses’ annual family pantomime, sponsored this year by Cotteswold Dairy, has proven to be a bright spot in Gloucestershire’s theatre calendar. Last year’s production, Cinderella, proved to be the best-selling seasonal show in the theatre’s fifty-year history – and this year looks set to be bigger still.
Last year’s production saw Love Island star Megan Forte Clarke, fresh from drama school, tread Tewkesbury’s boards – just before her appearance in the 2025 run of the hit ITV series. Audiences will be treated to new stars of tomorrow this year, too, including Italia Conti graduate Dylan Duffield (Casualty, Elf: The Musical) as Jack himself.
Old favourites return this year, too, with a big role for the break-out star of Cinderella, the professional drag queen Bonnie Banks – her knock-out voice will be returning to The Roses for 2025. “I can’t wait to return to The Roses,” says Bonnie. “Last year’s panto got audiences on their feet, and this year’s is even better.” Abena Adoba also returns as the switched-on and savvy Jill, and Michael Neri as the lovable clown Silly Simon.
Exciting, Energetic, and Different
As well as its action, Jack and the Beanstalk will also feature a number of other twists that make it a thoroughly modern panto. The youngsters taking part in the production’s chorus have been selected via X-Factor-style auditions, and the audience interaction is definitely Instagram-ready. The production’s writer, Charlotte Swarbrick, explains: “This panto doesn’t just take place on the stage: it comes right out to the audience!”
The story itself – written by returning scribe Charlotte Swarbrick, who also stars as Fairy Rose – has fun with current events, too: not only is the weather causing mayhem in Tewkesbury, but a Donald Trump-esque mayor (András Gönczöl, returning to The Roses after his turn as Buttons last year) isn’t exactly helping! There will be plenty of laughs for audience members of every age.
Following its sold-out run last year, there will also be an Adults-Only version of the pantomime on select dates throughout the festive season. This near-the-knuckle reimagining of the beloved seasonal show will feature all kinds of racy high-jinx for audiences with a few more years – and maybe a few more cocktails! – on the clock.
The Roses’ new Director and CEO, Derek Bond, says the annual pantomime is a key moment of the year for both theatre and audiences. “A theatre’s festive show is a fantastic opportunity to have fun with – and offer our thanks to! – our loyal audiences, but also throw the door open to people who’ve never been to a show before.
Everyone loves a pantomime, and this year The Roses’ offering really is something exciting, energetic, and different. People will be talking about it for years to come – so don’t be left saying ‘OH NO YOU DIDN’T!’ to yourself: come and join us for a show that’s full of beans!”
BOOK NOW
Explore Gloucestershire
24 September 2025
For further information.
OTHER NEWS
