‘Jack and the Beanstalk promises tall tales and lots of fun for family audiences at Port Sunlight’
Embark on a giant adventure when Jack and the Beanstalk comes to the Gladstone Theatre this Easter.
Dreamworld Entertainments returns after a smash-hit Christmas run to bring another unmissable pantomime to the historic Port Sunlight venue.
Jack and the Beanstalk runs from Thursday 9 – Saturday 12 April. Tickets are on sale now priced from £19.
Emmerdale and Hollyoaks’ Darren John Langford leads a talented cast as the villainous Fleshcreep in the tallest of tales which will transport family audiences from the theatre to a fairytale kingdom in the sky.
Meanwhile Lewis Pryor plays Jack, Ellie Clayton is Jill, Justine Langford is Fairy Fertile, Neil MacDonald is Squire Peg, Michael Alan Bailey is Silly Scott and Michael Chapman appears as Dame Trott.
Join Jack and his family on an action-packed adventure as they battle a giant and attempt to rescue Princess Jill. Expect magic beans, Daisy the cow, a towering beanstalk – and one giant adversary!
Audiences are guaranteed electrifying choreography, captivating costumes, a fabulous soundtrack of songs performed by a live cast and, of course, plenty of big laughs.
Darren John Langford appears as Fleshcreep. Darren is a versatile British actor known for his dynamic stage presence and emotionally engaging performances across theatre, television and film. A graduate of the prestigious Arden School of Theatre in Manchester, he began his career in fringe theatre and on the small screen, gaining national recognition for his portrayal of Spencer Gray in Channel 4’s award-winning soap Hollyoaks.
His TV credits also include appearances in Emmerdale, Portal, cinema classics such as Emily and various independent film projects where he continues to demonstrate his range and dedication to character work.
On stage Darren has taken on an array of roles from contemporary comedy to classic drama. His theatre work includes stand-out performances in Patrick Marber’s Closer, Les in Les and Ali’s Big Balearic Adventure and Orsino in Twelfth Night.
Meanwhile his many panto credits include Captain Hook in Peter Pan last Christmas and Gaston in Beauty and the Beast in 1923, both at the Gladstone Theatre, Fleshcreep in Jack and the Beanstalk, Abanazer in Aladdin, and the Big Bad Wolf in Little Red.
When not performing, he is actively involved in youth arts education, mentoring young people and promoting access to the performing arts across the UK.
Port Sunlight favourite Lewis Pryor is Jack. From the age of 11, Lewis was a keen performer and once finishing school he completed three years of training at Jelli Studios Theatre Arts College where he studied drama and musical theatre. In 2016 he reached the final of Britain’s Got Talent as a member of the dance group Boogie Storm.
Lewis has endeared himself to Port Sunlight family audiences playing Peter Pan last Christmas and Buttons in Cinderella. His many other panto appearances include Peter Pan at Storyhouse Chester and the Liverpool Empire, Aladdin, Cinderella, Snow White and The Wizard of Oz at the Epstein Theatre, and Aladdin and Cinderella at The Atkinson at Southport. His further stage credits include Michael in the Liverpool Empire Youth Theatre’s Billy Elliot, Leslie in Matthew Bourne’s Lord of the Flies in London and at the Liverpool Empire, and Stevie in Dave Kirby’s Reds and Blues – the Musical at Liverpool’s Royal Court.
On screen he appeared in Being Eileen for the BBC.
Ellie Clayton plays Jill. Ellie, from Liverpool, studied musical theatre at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London. After graduating in 2018 she went on to be the MC in Magic Mike Live, directed by Channing Tatum at the London Hippodrome. In 2020 she became a regular in CBBC’s So Awkward, playing Claire Fox, while she has also appeared on screen in Hollyoaks and Alrawabi School for Girls.
Last Christmas she played Tiger Lily in Peter Pan at Port Sunlight while she is currently appearing in The Peaceful Hour 2 at Liverpool’s Royal Court. Her other theatre credits include Rita in Willy Russell’s classic Educating Rita at Cirencester’s Barn Theatre, Fun at the Beach Romp Bomp a Lomp (Southwark Playhouse), The Peaceful Hour and The Derby Days (both Liverpool’s Royal Court) and Wendy in Peter Pan at the Gordon Craig Theatre.
Justine Langford is Fairy Fertile. Justine returns to the Gladstone Theatre stage after appearing as the Wicked Queen in Snow White three years ago. Her previous panto appearances in Port Sunlight also include the title role in Cinderella. Some of her many other stage credits include principal boy in a dozen pantos, the Fairy Godmother and Wicked Stepmother in Cinderella, Dreamers (Oldham Coliseum) and Closer (UK tour). In 2023 she took part in Oldham Coliseum’s closing show Encore. Meanwhile her screen credits include Speed Dating, Downhill and Retribution. Justine is also artistic director of Page 2 Stage Productions and creative director of the King’s Theatre in York.
Neil MacDonald appears as Squire Peg. Neil is an experienced touring actor and professional singer who has appeared in many shows across Britain and has credits in theatre, television, film, radio and as a voiceover artist. His stage credits include Cilla the Musical, Ashes to Ashes, Macbeth, Masquerade, Two Cities half a world away, Shake it up Baby and Closing Time. Panto appearances include Abanazer in Aladdin.
Michael Alan Bailey is Silly Scott. Liverpool Theatre School-trained Michael is a firm favourite with panto audiences at the Gladstone Theatre having previously appeared in Peter Pan, Cinderella, Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast and Jack and the Beanstalk. His other panto credits include The Wizard of Oz at St Helens Theatre Royal, Epstein Theatre, The Brindley and Middleton Arena, Cinderella at Stockport Plaza, Aladdin at Queen Elizabeth Hall in Oldham, Elves Overboard at Cowbridge Town Hall and Sinderfella at The Dancehouse.
Michael’s further stage credits include The Pirates of Penzance and The Gondoliers at Buxton Opera House, Salad Days at Harrogate Theatre, Liver Birdsong and Masquerade at the Epstein, Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Theatre by the Lake and Irish Annie’s (UK tour).
In 2021 he co-wrote and starred in the musical play Twice Nightly with Maria Lovelady which debuted to acclaim at Liverpool Theatre Festival and went on to tour to venues including Shakespeare North Playhouse and the Royal Court Studio, and which led to them launching a Twice Nightly podcast whose guests have included actor Anne Reid, comedian Joe Pasquale, Anne, Lady Dodd, The Chase’s Jenny Ryan and West End impresario Michael Harrison.
Film and TV credits include Pleasureland, Kill Kane, Kill List: The Musical (short) and Accidental Warlock (short).
And Michael Chapman plays Dame Trott. Michael trained at Bretton Hall in Leeds, graduating in 1996 when he began his career as a professional clown, touring the length and breadth of a large shopping centre. Since then he has enjoyed a variety of TV and theatre work including Pete Basset in Emmerdale, Frank in ITV’s miniseries Mobile, Borachio in Midsomer Actors’ open-air production of Much Ado About Nothing and Billy in Fuse Theatre’s national tour of Shadow Companion.
The naughtiest dame on Merseyside, his many panto credits include Peter Pan at the Gladstone Theatre last Christmas, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Aladdin, Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and The Wizard of Oz at the Epstein Theatre, and Cinderella, Aladdin and The Wizard of Oz at The Atkinson at Southport. Along with performing, Michael has also written and directed pantomimes.
Dreamworld Entertainments has been presenting magical pantomimes at the Gladstone Theatre at Port Sunlight for the past 10 years.
Producer and co-founder of Dreamworld Entertainments Jamie-Leigh Christian said today: “We’re thrilled to be back where it all began for us this Easter – the season which saw our very first production take to the stage. So, it feels especially fitting to be returning at this time of the year with our biggest and boldest panto yet.
“This year’s Jack and the Beanstalk is a true giant of a production, and we’ve pulled out all the stops to deliver something spectacular. It’s a celebration of live theatre at its most joyful, interactive and magical.”
For more information and tickets visit https://gladstonetheatre.org.uk/
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LISTINGS FOR JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Date: Thursday 9 April – Sunday 12 April 2026
Time: Various times. See website for full schedule.
Tickets: £23.50 Standard/£20 Concessions/£76 Family Ticket (2 Standard, 2 Concessions)*
*ticket prices include booking fee
Gladstone Theatre
Greendale Road,
Port Sunlight,
Wirral
CH62 4XB