By TheatreVillage 
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Joy Productions have announced the full cast for their inaugural pantomime Jack And The Beanstalk at the Broadway Theatre, Catford, marking a new addition to London’s festive calendar. Written and directed by Susie McKenna, the cast includes Siobhan Athwal, Derek Elroy, Ben Fox, Evelyn Hoskins, Wayne Rollins and Durone Stokes. The voice of the harp will be played by Sharon D. Clarke and the voice of the Giant by Cavin Cornwall.
The production opens on 15 December, with previews from 13 December and runs until 31 December.
Writer and director Susie McKenna said today, “Pantomime has been a huge part of my career for 40 years, not least my 22 years at the helm of the critically acclaimed Hackney Empire panto. After a break of three years from the genre, I am over the moon and excited to be embarking on a new Pantomime adventure at the beautiful Broadway theatre, working with Joy Productions. I can’t wait to create a show for the area that truly reflects the dynamic energy and diversity of this community – something every generation can feel true pride in.”
Recently formed production company, Joy Productions, led by producer Julie Clare and co-producer Chuchu Nwagu, has entered into a five-year partnership with the newly refurbished Grade II-listed Broadway in Catford to programme their annual pantomime. With a message of accessibility, inclusivity and diversity at the heart of the new alliance, over 8,500 tickets are available for only £10. Education and outreach initiatives will run alongside the pantomime, including education partnerships with local colleges, including Goldsmith’s University of London, with further details to be announced shortly.
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Written and directed by Susie McKenna
13 December – 31 December
Press performance: 15 December at 1.30pm and 7pm
Get ready for London’s newest and most GIANTGANTIC pantomime.
Jack, his Mum and their cow Caroline live in the Kingdom of Lewishfarm and life is tough; the people are poorer, and the rich are getting richer.
Everyone is at the mercy of Giant Egred and his evil cockroach henchman Boris (who, by the way, secretly wants to destroy humanity).
Will Jack fulfil his destiny? Will Caroline the Cow become a Tik Tok star? Will Jack’s Mum find love in the audience?
This is truly a pantomime for South London, with a kickin’ band, a funky Giant, magic beans, slapstick routines, laughs and silliness galore with plenty of boos, cheers and soulful songs you know and love to keep you singing all the way all the way through
Susie McKenna has been working as an actor, writer, and director for over 35 years nationally, in the West End and in television and film. She has also produced documentaries including Battle Axes for Channel 4 and Journey into Evil for ABC in the USA. Susie is currently Associate Artist at Kiln theatre London and working as a freelance actress, director and writer. McKenna has always worked in Pantomime from her first theatre job in the ensemble to playing Principal Boy at Nottingham playhouse for eight years, to writing and directing Hackney Empire’s first in-house pantomime, Dick Whittington, in 1998. Susie went on to write and direct (and often appear in) the Hackney pantomime to great critical acclaim, up to and including the 21st anniversary production of Dick Whittington in 2020, winning her Best Director at the Great British Pantomime Awards. She became Creative Director of Hackney Empire until December 2017, and was responsible for programming, including commissioning the hit musical drama Rudy’s Rare Records starring Lenny Henry, and curating the London Cultural Olympiad comedy festival at the theatre in 2012. Susie also managed the delivery of the creative learning and community programme including directing Hackney Empire’s Artist Development Programme main house show each year which produced two graduate theatre companies – Hackney Harlem Theatre Company and TWIST theatre. Other productions at Hackney Empire include Blues in the Night, Beau Jest, Sit and Shiver starring Steven Berkoff, Kat and Tameka Show, La Variété , Sing Out , Alter Ego , A Midsummer Night’s Madness (NYC and Edinburgh), a musical adaptation of Macbeth and Once on this Island – a co-production with Birmingham Rep and Nottingham Playhouse. In 2012 she was the festival director for Ha Ha Ha Hackney – a seven-show celebration of 60 years of British comedy for the London 2012 Festival.
LISTINGS JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Broadway Theatre
Broadway Theatre, Rushey Green, Catford, London, SE6 4RU
Box Office: Jack and the Beanstalk – Broadway Theatre
13 December – 31 December
Press performances: 15 December at 1.30pm and 7pm
SCHEDULE
Wednesday 13 December 10:30am 2.30pm
Thursday 14 December 12.30pm 5.30pm
Friday 15 December 1.30pm 7.00pm
Saturday 16 December 1.00pm 5.00pm
Sunday 17 December 1.00pm 5.00pm
Tuesday 19 December 10.30am 2.30pm
Wednesday 20 December 1.30pm 6.00pm
Thursday 21 December 1.00pm 5.00pm
Friday 22 December 1.30pm 7.00pm
Saturday 23 December 1.00pm 5.00pm
Sunday 24 December 12.00pm 4.00pm
Tuesday 26 December 1.00pm 5.00pm
Wednesday 27 December 1.00pm 5.00pm
Thursday 28 December 1.00pm 5.00pm
Friday 29 December 1.30pm 7.00pm
Saturday 30 December 1.00pm 5.00pm
Sunday 31 December 1.00pm
