Lawrence Batley Theatre Sets the Stage for Giant Christmas Panto JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

The Lawrence Batley Theatre (the LBT) is delighted to announce that it will be staging a spectacular new adaptation by acclaimed playwright Andrew Pollard of the much loved fairytale Jack & the Beanstalk. This year's panto follows on from the sell-out success of last year's staging of Cinderella, which was the first professional pantomime in the venue's 23-year history.

Brought to the stage by the same creative team behind Cinderella, the not to be missed Jack & the Beanstalk will feature everything audiences love about a traditional panto - laughs galore, magnificent live music and spectacular costumes. Get ready for the Lawrence Batley Theatre to take you high above the clouds on a magical journey this Christmas.

Times are hard for young Jack and his mother. Forced to sell his beloved cow, poor Jack comes home with nothing but a few beans. But when the beans grow into a giant beanstalk, Jack finds himself in a whole new world of thrills and adventure.

The Lawrence Batley Theatre production will be directed by Joyce Branagh, who says:

"Last year's Cinderella was great fun to do - lots of hard graft - but with a great script, great team and lovely cast to work with, it was a real highlight of my year - so I'm really looking forward to getting stuck in to all the daftness again. But this time with a beanstalk and a giant to contend with...!"

As well as directing last year's smash hit production of Cinderella. Joyce has also directed pantomimes at Watford Palace Theatre and Salisbury Playhouse, as well productions at the Orange Tree Theatre, Bristol Old Vic and Battersea Arts Centre.

Playwright and actor Andrew Pollard regularly writes, directs and appears as the dame in Greenwich Theatre's Christmas pantomime. He has previously worked with Northern Broadsides, New Vic Theatre and in 2007 appeared regularly as John Bune in Emmerdale.

Jack & the Beantstalk's excellent cast will feature Thomas Cotran (Great Expectations, Dundee Rep), Megan Turner (Sinatra and Friends, tour), Robin Simpson (The Railway Children, York Theatre Royal), Declan Wilson (Othello, English Theatre of Hamburg), James McLean (In At The Deep End and Best Foot Forward, Mikron Theatre), Heather Phoenix (The Rivals, Theatre by the Lake) and making her professional debut Alisha Simone.

Jack & the Beanstalk will be designed by Mark Walters from Glitter Pantomimes and features musical direction from Rebekah Hughes who has previously worked with Northern Broadsides and Marsden based Mikron Theatre, whilst choreography is by Rachel Root.

Lawrence Batley Theatre's Director Victoria Firth said:

"I'm really excited about this year's festive production of Jack & the Beanstalk. Producing our first ever pantomime and first professional in-house show for 10 years, Cinderella, last year was such a delight and its success meant that we made an immediate decision to do it again. 'Jack' will build on everything we learned last year, will be even more sparkly and, I hope, will establish LBT as the Christmas destination for local audiences."

Tickets for the must see spectacular Christmas show are now on sale and are priced from £18-£12 (Children under 16 £2 off / Kirklees Passport holders £3 off). A family saver of four tickets for £60 is also offered (conditions apply). To buy tickets contact the Lawrence Batley Theatre's Box Office on 01484 430528 or online at www.thelbt.org.

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