‘Dreamworld Entertainments’ Easter panto brings fe-fi-fo-fun to Port Sunlight‘
The countdown is on with just a week to go until Dreamworld Entertainments returns to the Gladstone Theatre with an action-packed panto adventure for all the family.
Jack and the Beanstalk runs from Thursday 9 – Saturday 12 April at the historic Port Sunlight venue. Tickets are priced from £20.
Emmerdale and Hollyoaks’ Darren John Langford heads a talented cast as the villainous Fleshcreep in the giant adventure which promises to take theatregoers young and old on a magical journey into the clouds.
The cast also includes Port Sunlight favourites Lewis Pryor as Jack, Ellie Clayton as Jill, Justine Langford as Fairy Fertile, Neil MacDonald as Squire Peg, Michael Alan Bailey as Silly Scott and Michael Chapman as Dame Trott.
Join Jack and his family as they battle a giant and attempt to rescue Princess Jill. Expect magic beans, Daisy the cow, a towering beanstalk – and one giant adversary!
Theatregoers can expect dazzling sets and costumes, a great soundtrack of favourite songs performed live by the cast and some huge 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 trained at the Arden School of Theatre in Manchester. Theatre credits include Closer (UK tour), Dreamers, Sleeping Beauty, Mother Goose, Aladdin, Jack and the Beanstalk, Dick Whittington and Cinderella (all for Oldham Coliseum), A Glimpse of Newness (Royal Exchange), Romeo and Juliet (S4K UK tour), Wish You Were Here (Liverpool Everyman), Thrasher (Conor McKee Productions), Cinderella (Imagine Theatre), Put Down your Aprons, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Dick Whittington, Mother Goose (all for Pendle Productions), Pack Up Your Troubles and Docks Law (CRIS and The Lowry), Twelfth Night, Alice, Macbeth, Much Ado About Nothing, Peter Pan, Robin Hood, Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (all Page-2 Stage Productions) and Home (rehearsed reading, Conor McKee Productions and Hull Truck).
She has previously appeared for Dreamworld Entertainment in Cinderella and Snow White at the Gladstone Theatre.
TV and film credits include Fiddles, Cheats and Scams, Sorina’s Story, Downhill, Outsider, Sleeping With Bugs, Live Kidney Donation, Dixon’s Future and Retribution. Radio credits for BBC Radio Lancashire and Shortwaves in association with BBC Manchester.
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, including a smash-hit Christmas 2025 when it staged a stunning Peter Pan.
Producer and co-founder of Dreamworld Entertainments Jamie-Leigh Christian said today: “There’s not long to go now until we unveil our fabulous Easter treat at the Gladstone Theatre. The cast has been working hard in the rehearsal room to create something truly magical, and we’re really proud of the brilliant show we will be sharing with family audiences in Port Sunlight.
“Jack and the Beanstalk is definitely a giant adventure, and we can guarantee that everyone who comes to see it, whether they’re four or 94, will have a memorable experience.”
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