Hall for Cornwall announces cast for 2024 pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk
- Edward Rowe returns to lead cast in festive fairytale pantomime to star as Dame Trott
- Cornwall Playhouse Production, presented in association with Falmouth University
- Pantomime to include familiar Cornish faces, new graduates and acting talent from across UK
Following the recent announcement that Edward Rowe will star as our Dame, Hall for Cornwall today announces the cast who’ll bring the giant pantomime extravaganza Jack And The Beanstalk to life this Christmas following last-year’s record-breaking run of Peter Pan.
The performance will have serious pantomime pedigree with director Joyce Branagh at the helm. The Cornwall Playhouse production promises a handful of heritage, bucketfuls of bean gags and song-and-dance-laden festive fun for the whole family.
Director Joyce Branagh commented “I can’t wait to get stuck in – it really will be a giant adventure, for everyone in Cornwall. In our story, hero Jack and his fabulous Mum set about saving their village. It’s a classic tale of good versus evil in which the role of family and friends has never been more important – so grab yours, book those tickets and we’ll see you in December!”
Commenting on the cast announcement, Julien Boast, Hall for Cornwall CEO and Jack And The Beanstalk Executive Producer said “This is such a talented and vibrant cast, bursting with talent. More than that, our pantomime this year is a great showcase of our commitment to nurturing new talent, supporting Cornish artists both on and offstage and delivering heartwarming entertainment to complete the Cornish Christmas. I can’t wait for December and opening night.”
Led by Cornish Talent…
As previously announced, Edward Rowe will be stepping into the hallowed pantomime territory of ‘The Dame’ following his Captain Hook in the smash-hit Peter Pan last year.
As an actor, writer, and Cornish comedy national treasure, Edward Rowe (Kernow King) wrote, produced and starred in Trevithick!, Hireth, The Cornwall Coliseum, and The Cornish Caretakers, and his short Cornish language film, Mab Hudel (Magical Son). Edward is also a co-writer and host of BBC Radio 4’s sketch show Wasson Cornwall, where he stars opposite with Dawn French.
Nationally, he’s known for his roles in BAFTA-winning film Bait, Fisherman’s Friends the Musical, and TV roles in Alex Rider, The Witcher, House of the Dragon, Strike and Beyond Paradise.
When asked about the new role, Edward Rowe said: “I’m delighted to be playing the dame this Christmas. I loved playing Kenwyn a few years ago and of course being Long John Silver a couple of years back. Captain Hook last year was an enormous honour, and one of my favourite roles, so taking on the dame this year feels like a great step. There’s so much tradition with dames and some of my favourite actors have been dames, Ian McKellen, Les Dawson, Paul O’Grady. To be Dame Trott at Hall for Cornwall is a dream come true.”
Other Cornish cast members include Gareth Cooper who has this year appeared in One Man, Two Guvnors at the New Vic and Julius Caesar at Southwark Playhouse whilst also touring his solo folk storytelling show The Mermaid of Padstow around Cornwall. Gareth has also appeared in Netflix’s The Crown and over 20 comedy shorts for the BBC’s About Shakespeare series.pa
Alongside Gareth will be Truro’s own Charlotte Rutherfoord, a multi-instrumentalist who trained at Mountview and has recently appeared in Cinderella (Derby Theatre), and Rain Weaver alongside credits which include the UK tours of Carmen and Joseph. Cornwall’s Aidan Nightingale, is back following his turn in 2022’s Cornwall Playhouse Production of Treasure Island. Aidan is thrilled to be back at Hall for Cornwall for another Christmas, his other recent credits include Sasha Regan’s The Mikado and the UK tour of I Should Be So Lucky.
Cornish comedian Colin Leggo returns in the role of Goosey following his hilarious turn as Smee in Peter Pan last year. Colin headlined the 2021 BBC Upload Festival and has performed at Edinburgh Fringe multiple times. ‘Leggoland’, his 2015 one-man with one-leg show about becoming a below knee amputee, received a 5-star review from the British Comedy Guide. In 2019, he won the title of UK Pun Champion and his Grand Theft Cornwall videos on YouTube have achieved cult status.
Nurturing stars of the future…
Continuing Hall for Cornwall’s long-held commitment to nurturing the UK’s most promising young actors, Shen Leng Chow is thrilled to make her professional debut in Jack And The Beanstalk following her training at Leeds Conservatoire. Meanwhile, taking up the role of Jack is recent Central School of Speech And Drama graduate Patrick Dineen who has appeared in productions at Hull Truck Theatre and Leeds Playhouse.
…And West End talent
Freya Karlettis takes on the role of Jill, with theatre credits including PlayOn!, The Lion King in London’s West End, Hairspray, Sleeping Beauty at Ipswich Regent Theatre, and Flight: Dare to Dream. Freya’s TV work includes Happy Families for the BBC and The Mighty Sprouts for Disney.
Stepping into the magical role of the Fairy is Jessica Manu, who trained at Central School of Speech And Drama and has gone on to appear in the West End and UK tour ofRoom on the Broom, Where The Bugaboo lives at Little Angle Theatre, Cinderella at Lyric Hammersmith and Babylon Beyond Boarders at Bush Theatre. Jessica has also appeared in Eastenders on the BBC.
No pantomime is complete without a wicked baddie and Susannah Van Den Berg won’t disappoint as Judi Henchman. Susannah’s previous work includes As You Like It with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Sweeney Todd with English National Opera, 101 Dalmations in Regent’s Park and the UK tours of Annie, Sister Act and Fiddler on The Roof.
Book now for Jack and the Beanstalk (Fri 06 – Tue 31 Dec) at the Cornwall Playhouse: https://www.hallforcornwall.co.uk/whats-on/jack-and-the-beanstalk/