Anthony Spargo writes the script and plays the Dame in Jack and the Beanstalk, Greenwich Theatre’s pantomime this Christmas, with Sam Bailey as Jack and Eleanor Fransch, Paul Critoph, Lydia Bell and Georgia Grant completing the principal company.
Anthony Spargo is back in the frocks as Dame Dotty Trott, Jack’s eccentric mother, in Jack and the Beanstalk at Greenwich Theatre. It is his 13th pantomime at the south-east London house, and once again he has written the show he stars in.
The team arrives with form: Greenwich Theatre’s pantomime took both Best Script and Best Pantomime at the UK Pantomime Awards 2025.
Sam Bailey plays the hero, Jack Trott. His credits include Peter Pan: A Pantomime Adventure at Greenwich Theatre and Dirty Dancing at the Dominion Theatre. Eleanor Fransch, who was in the original West End cast and UK tour of You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown and whose credits also include Alice in Wonderland at the New Vic Theatre, is Bumpkin, the fairy who lends Jack some magic.
Paul Critoph (The 39 Steps at the Criterion Theatre, King Lear at Bristol Old Vic) plays Sheriff Sprocket, and Lydia Bell (Who Do Ya Love? at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Cinderella at the Coventry Belgrade Theatre) is his daughter, Jill Sprocket. Georgia Grant, whose touring credits include Fantastically Great Women who Changed the World and Demon Dentist, is Fleshcreep, the giant’s villainous tax collector.
The story finds Jack and his mother on hard times, reduced to selling their cow, Pat. A little luck and a little magic produce a beanstalk, and Jack climbs it to Cloudland to win back the family fortune, only to find things up there are not quite as they seem, and that one very large problem is standing in his way.
James Haddrell directs, with musical direction by ‘Uncle’ Steve Markwick, set and costume design by Jana Lakatos and lighting design by Henry Slater. Through the theatre’s partnership with its neighbour, Trinity Laban, four emerging performers join the pantomime ensemble.
Greenwich Theatre said: “This year, we’ve taken that familiar fairy tale and given it a makeover!” It promised “all the ingredients that make Greenwich Theatre pantomime a family tradition. Fun, laughter, music and spectacle…along with a few surprises along the way!”
Jack and the Beanstalk runs at Greenwich Theatre on Crooms Hill, SE10, from Friday 27 November 2026 to Sunday 10 January 2027, with press night on Friday 4 December 2026 at 7pm. Tickets start at £23.75, the running time is 2 hours 20 minutes including an interval, and the show is recommended for ages 3+.
For more information, visit the official website.
