Jack and the Beanstalk review

When you hit upon a formula that works, it makes sense to stick to it. This is writer and director Paul Hendy’s 16th consecutive panto at the Lyceum, and the return of old faces such as Damian Williams and Wendi Peters means there’s a comforting glow of familiarity as James Harrison’s orchestra strikes up.

Williams is, as ever, the panto dame, and his comic timing is as impeccable as ever. Despite hailing from Essex, he’s almost a Sheffield institution now, and his corny jokes, ad libs and numerous costume changes are greeted with a huge wave of warmth. Playing off him as Luke Backinanger (yes, it’s a set-up for an Oasis joke) is Marc Pickering, who’s obviously having the time of his life soaking up the boos and audience catcalls, while singer Maxwell Thorpe – a local Britain’s Got Talent finalist – makes his theatrical debut, and there’s a scene-stealing cameo from CBeebies’ Waffle the Wonder Dog.

Hendy’s production values are always impressive. This year, he uses video projection culminating in a genuinely funny boyband parody video, while the costume design – from the enormous beanstalk climbing into the rafters, to a truly spectacular Giant – is tremendously detailed. The annual set-pieces – the ‘wheelbarrow of puns’, the ‘ghost bench’ – are all present and correct, and while regular Lyceum panto-goers will know these off by heart, that never diminishes their charm.

Hendy is a master at delivering a slick, fast-moving pantomime that can hold children in raptures while also entertaining adults. If Sheffield Theatres has any sense, it will sign him up for the next 16 years too.