Everyman Rock ‘n’ Roll panto cast announced for Jack and the Beanstalk

The 2025 cast will see the return of some familiar faces alongside exciting new talent. Panto favourite Adam Keast is back as Fairy Spacecake, bringing his trademark wit to the stage and also the page as Script Consultant.

Joining him are The 2025 Pantomime Awards Best Villain, Zoe West, as the evil Alan Sucre, whilst Rebecca Levy plays Ruby, last seen at the Everyman in Rapunzel as Laurie, Rebecca also returns as Choreographer for the show. Vera, this year’s Dame, is played by Liam Tobin, whose credits include Sweeney Todd at the Liverpool Everyman and Boys from the Blackstuff at the National Theatre. 

Burhan Kathawala leads the cast as Jack, with theatre credits including Scouts! The Musical with The Gigglemug and the panto Sleeping Beauty at the New Wolsey Theatre. Jill is played by Amy Bastani, with credits including the panto Robin Hood at Greenwich Theatre and the musical Alice in Wonderland for Immersion Theatre. Theo Diedrick plays Roginald, with stage credits including Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Sleeping Beauty: The Rock ’n’ Roll Panto at Theatr Clwyd. Elaine Hua Jones takes the role of Officer Nimbus, recently seen in the short film Doctor. Completing the company are Emily Marsland and the return of Adam Scott Pringle as Offstage Understudies. 

Jack and the Beanstalk is written by Chloë Moss, whose work includes Corrina, Corrina, Love, Liverpool and The Way Home at the Liverpool Everyman. Katie Scott designs the set and costumes. Previous work at the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse includes Shirley Valentine, Tell Me How It Ends, and One Man, Two Guvnors.

Twice nominated for the Offies Award for Best Musical Direction, Henry Brennan joins as Musical Director, alongside Jamie Noar who returns as Arranger and Musical Supervisor, having won Best Musical Director at the UK Pantomime Awards 2022 for Robin Hood at the Everyman. Lighting design is by Charly Dunford, whose credits include this is not a crime (this is just a play) for Young Everyman Playhouse and the Christmas show Sleeping Beauty at Chester Storyhouse. 

This production is directed by Kash Arshad (musical adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days, Octagon Theatre; panto Cinderella, Beck Theatre, Hayes, and Imagine Theatre), with YEP graduate Amber Buttery joining as Understudy Director and Beth Frances as YEP Trainee Assistant Director. The theatres’ Resident Sound Designer, Ian Davies, once again brings his talents to the panto, with Olivia Barr as Casting Director. 

Nathan Powell, Creative Director for Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse, said: 

“The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto is the beating heart of Christmas in Liverpool, it’s noisy, joyful, and a true celebration of everything our theatre stands for. This year’s cast is bursting with talent, from seasoned panto legends to brand-new faces, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience all the madness, music and magic of Jack and the Beanstalk.”

Jack and the Beanstalk will also include a number of access-supported performances, including a British Sign Language performance (Thursday 20 November at 7.00pm and Friday 19 December at 7.00pm), a Captioned performance (Friday 12 December at 7.00pm), an Audio Described performance (Thursday 8 January at 1.30pm), and a Relaxed performance (Tuesday 6 January at 5.30pm). The theatre also provides delicious picnic boxes, available for both children and grown-ups, which can be ordered and collected before the show to make the panto experience even more magical. 

As always, Everyman’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto will feature plenty of music with the cast doubling up as the live band, switching instruments, bursting into songs, and dancing their way through the story.

Tickets are priced from £16 to £46. With performances already booking up fast, audiences are encouraged to secure their seats early for Liverpool’s favourite festive tradition.

For full details and to book, visit here.