JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Breaking Records in Greenwich

Some performances of Greenwich Theatre's pantomime this year - Jack and The Beanstalk - have already sold out and the panto season has been extended by a week to meet an unprecedented demand.

The panto, again written, directed and starring Andrew Pollard, will run from Thursday, November 20, to Sunday, January 11, 2015, with 77 performances in all.

"We have sold far more tickets now than we had at the same point last year," said the theatre's executive and artistic director James Haddrell, "and if anything tickets are now starting to sell even faster. I think it's because ours is a truly traditional pantomime that doesn't rely on TV celebrity but on quality writing and performance. Audiences have got used to that, to knowing how high the quality of the show is going to be."

It's the ninth year that Andrew Pollard has appeared in the show (his tenth as writer) and also returning is last year's Puss in Boots, Alim Jayda, who is playing the villain this time.

"People do like recognising the performers from previous pantos - coming to the pantomime is a central part of people's Christmas, and the cast become part of their extended family." said James. "Over the years Andrew has become our own celebrity. There's no doubt that he has become a tremendous draw."

Alim Jayda welcomes the leap from hero to villain, playing opposite a giant who is 11ft from the waist up.

"I had the most amazing time as Puss in Boots," said the 23-year-old actor who lives in nearby Ladywell. "It's one of the best jobs I've done, the company, the theatre, every element was just perfect and the audiences were overwhelming."

Once again Greenwich's winning formula is marked "written, directed and starring Andrew Pollard", and Alim got a call from the director about the part.

"For me to play the baddie is quite exciting. I don't think that people would expect me to play it. I'm quite little and quite timid from afar, but as an actor it's something I'm really looking forward to playing," said Alim.

"A panto is playtime with the audience and I'm really looking forward to having fun as the villain."

Alim, who trained at the Italia Conti academy, has just finished a new Ridley Scott film and Apple commercial, and has just finished the musical Blockbuster with Paul Nicholas and Suzanne Shaw at Croydon.

"Some of the people in Blockbuster are in panto and they asked me who our celebrity was at Greenwich," said Alim. "It was quite exciting for me to say that we don't have one but it sells out. Greenwich have nailed it and Andrew is the perfect writer, director and dame. He's one of the most versatile actors I have ever come across."

"We're definitely looking at a record breaking run with this show," said James. "Audiences have got used to a show built on quality writing and amazing performances, and each year more people find out about it. To be routinely selling out and now having to extend to satisfy demand is one of the nicest problems to have in theatre!"

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