JACK AND HIS GIANT STALK
Brick Lane Music Hall
★★★★
“delightfully chaotic”
February may be looming, but there’s still time to catch Brick Lane Music Hall’s bright and bawdy adult panto, ‘Jack and His Giant Stalk’. Paired with a hearty meal and classic music hall camaraderie, it’s a memorable antidote to the winter blues.
Jack, his mother Dame Fanny and his brother Willy are suddenly skint when local baddies, Poison Ivy and Ophelia Loosebottom, raise the rents. Luckily, the Spirit of the Beans – a booze loving good fairy – turns their cow Daisy into a singing sensation to raise the cash. But the baddies steal the money and kidnap their friends. Can Jack save the day and stop the eviction? Time to climb his giant stalk and find out.
Writer director Lucy Hayes’ script is delightfully chaotic. The plot makes little narrative sense, with ironically low stakes, abandoned arcs and unexplained age gaps – but who’s at a panto for logic? What Hayes nails is an undeniable sense of joy, crammed with more double entendres than you can shake a stalk at, even if the Viagra references are a touch persistent. It’s tight and pacy with plenty of physical silliness, leaving the whole room roaring.
Hayes’ direction keeps the energy high, with a driving pace that gives even throwaway ad libs punch. Off script detours add welcome tension, and larger than life characters stay grounded through genuine audience connection. That said, Act 2 loses a little steam, weighed down by a glut of songs without much supporting plot, and there’s a lot of screaming. Jordan Langford’s cheeky, energetic choreography lifts the scenes, with ‘If I Weren’t In Panto’ delivering a standout burst of escalating slapstick. Overall, it’s a slick production, confidently handled by a well drilled cast.
Music Director Scott Hayes’ high energy score is packed with familiar tunes, music hall style numbers and audience singalongs. The harmonies are a highlight, particularly Jill, Poison Ivy and Ophelia’s trio, and Jack Pallister’s parody lyrics are playful without veering into outright farce (mooing aside). The second act could stand to lose a song or two to keep things tight, but the band – Hayes, Martin Layzell and Andy Pook – provide a talented, rock solid anchor.
Zara Kattan’s production design brings the show to life. Set designer Chris Floyd, with assistant Shannon Topliss, conjure charming hand painted scenes and make smart use of a compact stage, with the occasional stubborn curtain only adding to the home grown charm. Kevin Roach’s bold lighting, with candy coloured washes, roaming spotlights and a full spin glitter ball suits the panto spirit perfectly. Lewis Voigtlander O’Brien’s sound design offers a mostly clear mix, with voices cutting through and sound effects landing cleanly. A rogue mic is handled smoothly by cast and crew alike. Costumes by Syldon Costumes and Frank Kershaw are a delight, with the Dame debuting a new, increasingly outrageous look each scene, and Jill’s intricately crafted orange dress shining despite its brief appearance. Sue Pedersen’s hair and wig work ties it all together, from innocent curls to the Dame’s increasingly extravagant styles.
The ensemble cast has real panto presence: larger than life without caricature, consistently slick, with delightfully reactive humour and just the right dose of camp. Lucy Reed’s Daisy the Cow is a delight, complete with soaring belt, while Charlotte Fage’s Poison Ivy makes a wonderfully redeemable villain with a powerhouse voice. Andrew Robley’s Dame Fanny brings seasoned poise and razor sharp reactions to the off script chaos. The standout, though, is Vincent Hayes – MBE and Brick Lane’s CEO – whose twinkling turn as Willy blends confident stagecraft, commanding vocals and spontaneous mischief that feels like pure stage magic.
Just like those magic beans, ‘Jack and His Giant Stalk’ proves far greater than the sum of its parts. With a fabulous cast, slick delivery and iconic setting, this adult panto offers a highly entertaining and memorable night out.
JACK AND HIS GIANT STALK
Brick Lane Music Hall
Reviewed on 30th January 2026
by Hannah Bothelton
Photography by Lucy Hayes Photography
