Grace Hatchell’s Satchel Drop: Fee Fi Fo Fun in Watford!
There’s a giant on the loose in Watford — and he sounds suspiciously like Stephen Fry. That’s right, Watford Palace Theatre has just unveiled the full cast for this year’s Christmas cracker Jack and the Beanstalk, running from Saturday 29 November 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026, and it’s looking absolutely bean-tastic.
As always, the Palace is promising toe-tapping tunes, vibrant costumes, and enough cheeky humour to keep the whole family giggling through the holidays. But the real magic? The Giant himself will be voiced by national treasure Stephen Fry — which means audiences are in for a Fee Fi Fo Fabulous festive treat.
Leading the charge up the beanstalk is Imad Eldeen (Mother Goose, Theatre Clwyd; As You Like It, Leeds Playhouse) as our plucky hero Jack, with Jessica Dennis (The Merchant of Venice 1936, RSC West End) sharpening her villainous grin as the wicked Dame Judy Henchman. Adding a sprinkle of sparkle is Lauren Azania (Hadestown, Lyric Theatre) as the delightfully clumsy Fairy Nuff — and between you and me, I’m already rooting for her to accidentally zap the wrong person.
And of course, it wouldn’t be Watford Palace without the return of the legendary Terence Frisch, who’s back for his thirteenth pantomime season as Dame Trott. A true Palace favourite, Frisch has played just about every pantomime character under the sun — from Cinderella to Robin Hood — and still manages to bring fresh laughs every year.
They’re joined by Philippa Carson, Tia Antoine Charles, Tom Giles, Ben Anderson, and Hannah Lancaster, plus a brilliant young ensemble of 16 local performers aged 11 to 17 — all set to fill the stage with beans, feathers, glitter, and joy.
The show’s being directed by James Williams, Associate Director at Watford Palace, and written by Steve Marmion, who just so happens to be CEO of PantoCo Ltd. (and a bit of a pantomime legend). Together, they’re promising a production that celebrates community, chaos, and a healthy dose of silliness — all the best panto ingredients, if you ask me.
Williams sums it up beautifully:
“This year’s Jack and the Beanstalk is our most magical yet — a celebration of wonder, laughter, and community spirit… I hope every family who comes through our doors leaves believing a little more in magic.”
Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m already believing — and I haven’t even had my interval ice cream yet.
So grab your tickets, your glitteriest jumper, and your loudest “He’s behind you!” — and head to Watford for a proper palace-sized pantomime treat.
Jack and the Beanstalk
Watford Palace Theatre
20 Clarendon Road, Watford, WD17 1JZ
29 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
Press Night: Tuesday 2 December, 6pm
Tickets available at watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk
(And if you see a postwoman in the foyer taking notes — don’t worry. It’s just me, making sure no magic beans go missing.) 🌱
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