Jack and the Beanstalk - Review

Palace Theatre, Watford

****

Written by Steve Marmion

Directed by James Williams

Jack and the Beanstalk at Watford Palace Theatre makes for fine family fun. From its opening number of Alicia Keys’s Empire State of Mind that delightfully transforms its haunting New York lyric into Watford, the show is off to a cracking start. 

Imad Eldeen puts in a fresh-faced turn as Jack but it is Watford’s favourite dame, Terence Frisch now in his 13th season at the venue, who drives the show’s comedy as Jack’s mum Dame Trott. The other on-stage powerhouse  is Lauren Azania as Fairy ‘Nuff whose energy and vocals are never less than excellent. The evening’s boos are well earned by Jessica Dennis as the Giant’s assistant Judi Henchman while the enormous puppet Giant is boomingly voiced by Stephen Fry.

This is a lovely local panto with a fabulously drilled troupe of local young performers providing the dance and some modest acting backup too. Don’t ask why, but somehow Rent’s Seasons of Love is shoe-horned into the narrative, with credit to the entire on-stage company for delivering gorgeous vocals to that number (and great work too from Associate Musical Director Dominic Bull on keys). There was a smattering of recent pop hits included, that may well have bypassed the over 40s in the audience but certainly had the kids grinning in recognition. 

Frisch’s banter is spot-on throughout, with his dress that sees him as local legend Elton John sprawled across a piano, one of the evening’s highlights.

If smiling, laughing kids and adults are the hallmark of a great pantomime, then Steve Marmion and Watford Palace Theatre have delivered a fabulous show.

Runs until 4th January 2026

Paddington The Musical - Review

Savoy Theatre, London

****

Music and lyrics by Tom Fletcher

Book by Jessica Swale

Directed by Luke Sheppard

Based on A Bear Called Paddington written by Michael Bond and the film ‘PADDINGTON’, by special arrangement with STUDIOCANAL

James Hameed and Arti Shah

Newly arrived from deepest, darkest Peru, Paddington The Musical has opened at London’s Savoy Theatre and visually, it’s a treat!

On the night of this review Abbie Purvis, the alternate Paddington, played the onstage bear as James Hameed voiced Paddington, the two of them combining to create one of the finest characters to be found on a London stage. The fusion of technical wizardry, Tahra Zafar's fabulous bear designs and the pair’s acting talent (with Purvis making her West End debut too!) truly brought Michael Bond’s kind and inquisitive bear to life. The magic of the show is lifted by Tom Pyle’s scenic design work and Ash J Woodward’s videos that give a glorious excitement to the Savoy’s stage and surrounds.

There are some absolute gems in the show’s supporting cast, with Bonnie Langford as the wise old Mrs Bird stealing her scenes with her stunning stage presence. Matching Langford is Tom Edden, arguably the nation's master of physical comedy who nimbly steps back and forward across the fourth wall as Mr Curry, the bad guy who finds redemption. Victoria Hamilton-Barritt is deliciously boo-able as the baddy Millicent Clyde, as the quartet playing the likeable Brown family all put in a decent shift.

Jessica Swale has written the show’s book and Tom Fletcher, the music and lyrics. Paddington at heart is a simple fable and while the creative pair retain the essence of Bond’s stories, too much of their take on London plays out too politically, their rose-tinted view of the capital at odds with many of the city's more ugly realities. Musically, many of the show's early melodies are bland and often with lyrics that are disappointingly inaudible. It really takes until the second act for Fletcher’s compositions to break free of the constraints of his pop-music background and display true wit.

Luke Sheppard, truly the wunderkind of modern musical theatre direction knows how to direct a family show that looks wonderful, is acted brilliantly and makes for fine, fun family entertainment.

Booking until 25th October 2026

Photo credit: Johan Persson