Jack and the Beanstalk at Liverpool Everyman: Review

I was lucky enough to be invited to the press night of Jack and the Beanstalk at the Liverpool Everyman. If you’re in the mood for a festive pick me up, a trip to the Everyman this Christmas is non-negotiable!

Every year, the Everyman stages a ‘Rock and Roll’ twist on a classic panto story. This year, it was the turn of Jack and the Beanstalk. The story was bought into a fantasy version of Liverpool, centring around the shop ‘Cosmic Crystals’. The result was a fun take on a classic story, updating it be more modern without feeling cliché or cringe.

What makes the Everyman’s panto productions so unique are the talented musicians at its core. I wasn’t fully sure what a ‘Rock and Roll’ panto would mean before going. Essentially, all of the actors are also the production’s musicians. They play live on a balcony on top of the stage, or in character during their scenes. I was in awe of the talent on display as the actors jumped in and out of their different roles, singing and playing multiple instruments.

The choices of music were also great. It managed to strike the right balance of modern songs that younger theatre goers can sing along to (Golden and Pink Pony Club) and some all time classics (cue Bohemian Rhapsody sang by a chorus of Hedgehogs). ‘Popular’ music in pantos can sometimes be jarring, but every song slotted into the plot perfectly.

Most of all, the Everyman Panto has real heart. Every year I go to panto with my Girlguiding District. What started as my favourite night as a Rainbows is now what you could call a headache as a leader. I wouldn’t go as far as to say that I’d ‘gone off’ pantos, but they’d lost their sparkle for me. The particular panto we go to see has felt like very formulaic, with the only real difference from year to year being which B (or C) List celebrity is staring in the show. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing a panto without Judge Rinder and 100 costume changes.

The ‘magic’ of panto felt alive at the Everyman. I laughed out loud, teared up and had a truly wonderful evening. If you’re looking for some sparkle to brighten the last few weeks of the semester, I could not recommend Jack and the Beanstalk at the Everyman enough. It’s a perfect trip out with friends, or a great solo-date.

Tickets are available to book here: https://everymanplayhouse.com/event/the-rock-n-roll-panto-2025-jack-and-the-beanstalk/

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https://www.liverpoolguildstudentmedia.co.uk/category/arts-culture