AFTER a successful 2023 panto, Swansea Grand has announced that it will be hosting another Imagine Theatre panto this year – which will be Jack & the Beanstalk!

Jack & the Beanstalk will follow the poor Trott family who don’t have a bean to their name and have to suffer through an evil and greedy giant terrifying the village. They come to the conclusion that they will have to sell family cow Buttercup to survive.

But Jack has a task or two at hand – defeat the giant, win the heart of the girl he loves and turn the Trott’s fortunes around. There will be lots of fun and song and of course, the panto dame.

The show will feature star staples Kev Johns and Matt Edwards, who will be returning for yet another season at the theatre.

The pair – who recently starred in the 2023/24 panto Cinderella – are firm favourites amongst Swansea Grand’s panto-goers.

Kev Johns – who has just finished his Cinderella run as Dame Penny Pockets – said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be returning to the Swansea Grand again in 2024/2025 to appear in Jack & the Beanstalk. I love panto and I love Swansea, so there’s no place I’d rather be at Christmas.”

Matt Edwards – who has just finished his Cinderella run as Buttons – said: “I’m super surprised to be asked so early to come back next year, it’s made me really look forward to it even more. I can’t quite tell you what part I will be playing but I can say that I’ve seen parts of the script already and it’s going to be amazing, so make sure you all come and see it.”

The roles for Kev and Matt have yet to be revealed and there will be more stars announced in the coming months for Jack & the Beanstalk. Imagine Theatre and Swansea Grand have – however – confirmed that there will be another digital set for the forthcoming panto. The 2022/23 digital set for Beauty and the Beast was award-winning and the Cinderella digital set was praised by many attendees.

Grant McFarlane, Swansea Grand Theatre manager, said: “Our digital pantos have been a big hit and Jack & the Beanstalk is going to have a brand new, never seen before, digital set. We are really excited about this and of course, there will be all the usual panto trademarks that Swansea audiences have come to know and love.”

Image Theatre’s co-chief executive, Steve Boden, said: “We are so delighted to welcome Kev and Matt back and are really excited to be producing a spectacular brand-new production of Jack & the Beanstalk at the Grand Theatre following the success of our productions: the 5-star, award-winning pantomimes Beauty & the Beast and Cinderella. As always, audiences can expect to see a spectacular production, full od comedy and all of the well-loved pantomime traditions that create a really magical trip to the theatre at Christmas.”

Jack & the Beanstalk will be at the Swansea Grand Theatre from December 7, 2024, to January 5, 2025. Tickets are on sale now from £19 and available at www.swanseagrand.co.uk or by calling 01792 475715 between 10am and 4pm on non-show days, Monday to Saturday or from midday to 15 minutes after curtains up on show days.