Jack and the Beanstalk

Newcastle panto 2026: Jack and the Beanstalk at the Theatre Royal

Danny Adams leads Jack and the Beanstalk, the Christmas 2026 pantomime on the Main Stage at Theatre Royal in Newcastle upon Tyne, running from Tuesday 24 November 2026 to Sunday 17 January 2027. He is joined by pantomime legends Clive Webb and Chris Hayward and South Shields' Joe McElderry, in what the theatre promises will be the North East's biggest and most spectacular pantomime. It is produced by Michael Harrison with Crossroads Pantomimes and Newcastle Theatre Royal, and sponsored by Vertu.

The story and what to expect

Jack and the Beanstalk is sprouting into life on the Grey Street stage. Follow Jack as he scales a beanstalk of epic proportions in search of his fortune in Cloudland. Doomed to sell his trusty cow, can Jack outwit the evil giant to win riches beyond his wildest dreams? Expect laugh-out-loud comedy, staggering special effects and larger-than-life fun: as the theatre puts it, the panto you've bean waiting for.

Cast

Danny Adams plays the fearless Jack Trot and leads the company.

Clive Webb plays Farmer Trot and Chris Hayward plays the much-loved Dame Trot. The theatre describes both as pantomime legends.

Joe McElderry, South Shields' singing sensation, plays the Spirit of the Beans.

Mick Potts plays Pat the Cow and Wayne Smith plays Fleshcreep, both Newcastle panto favourites.

Rachel Stanley plays the Queen and Oonagh Cox plays Princess Jill, both musical theatre stars.

Dates and times

The run opens on Tuesday 24 November 2026 and ends on Sunday 17 January 2027 with a 5pm performance. Weekday evening performances are at 7pm, with 2pm matinees on selected weekdays. Saturdays usually have three performances, at 12pm, 3.30pm and 7pm, and Sundays two, at 1pm and 5pm. Over Christmas there are 2pm and 7pm performances on most days, and 1pm and 5pm performances on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and New Year's Eve.

Who is it for (running time and need to know)

Jack and the Beanstalk is a family pantomime. Age guidance and the running time are both to be announced by the venue. Babes in arms tickets are available for children under 2, bought alongside an adult ticket. The show may contain flashing lights, strobes, haze, smoke and loud noises. Up-close seats in the Stalls are the place to be for interaction with the show, as items may be thrown into the Stalls from the stage.

Accessible and relaxed performances

Relaxed performances are on Sunday 6 December 2026 and Wednesday 6 January 2027, both at 12pm. An audio described performance with a pre-show touch tour is on Tuesday 8 December at 7pm. Captioned and BSL interpreted performances are on Thursday 10 December at 2pm and 7pm, and a further BSL performance is on Sunday 13 December at 1pm. An audio flyer for the production is available from the theatre.

Danny and Clive at the Theatre Royal

Danny Adams and Clive Webb are at the heart of the Theatre Royal pantomime, which is billed as the North East's fastest-selling. Producer Michael Harrison says that, as the team enters its third decade, Jack and the Beanstalk returns for only the third time in Danny and Clive's history. This year they are joined by Chris Hayward as the dame, Joe McElderry and a company of Newcastle panto favourites and musical theatre stars.

Getting to the Theatre Royal

Theatre Royal is at 100 Grey Street, in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne.