Review! Jack And The Beanstalk Panto 2025 at Wycombe Swan High Wycombe

We’ve been more than a little panto-mad this season at The Theatre Flyer, so we were thrilled to be invited along to Wycombe Swan’s festive offering, Jack and the Beanstalk. The production follows our hero Jack and his family — who are poor… no, poorer than that! — as they embark on a magical adventure alongside their friends, facing the villainous Poison Ivy and the fearsome giant.

From the moment I took my seat, I was struck by the predominantly digital set design. It gave the stage an impressive sense of scale and a burst of vibrant colour rarely seen in more traditional pantomimes. This technology was used to great effect throughout the show, seamlessly transforming the stage into a lively village, the giant’s castle, and even an exhilarating castle chase sequence.

Of course, pantomime is steeped in nostalgia, and Mark Read — best known for his time in 90s boyband A1 — delivered that in spades as Jack. He was a confident and charismatic lead, with his vocal talents shining throughout. Matt Edwards brought plenty of laughs with his sharp comedic timing, while Jo Osmond’s deliciously villainous turn as Poison Ivy proved to be a standout.

However, the undeniable star of the show was drag icon La Voix. Returning to Wycombe Swan for her third season, she completely owned the stage as Dame Trott. From expertly playing the role to breaking the fourth wall with ease, her impeccable comic timing and sensational vocals made her an absolute joy to watch. An icon from start to finish.