Review: The Rock ’n’ Roll Panto: Jack and the Beanstalk at Liverpool Everyman

“Camp, colourful, hilarious… a magical evening…”

The Rock ’n’ Roll Panto: Jack and the Beanstalk by Chloë Moss, Liverpool Everyman

By Abi Kelly

The Everyman’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Jack and the Beanstalk is an absolute ball, fabulously camp, glittery, and equally entertaining for kids and adults. It’s the kind of panto where the comedy lands just as well with grown-ups as with kids, and the energy never dips. From the moment Fairy Spacecake steps onstage, the audience is immediately put at ease and pulled into the mischief. Adam Keast handles the crowd brilliantly, quick on his feet, razor-sharp, and completely in command. Within minutes, everyone knows the score: shout, laugh, join in – and you’ll be rewarded tenfold.

The rock ’n’ roll theme works brilliantly. It isn’t deeply woven into the plot, but it doesn’t need to be, as pantomime thrives on joyful suspended reality, and the live band gives everything a vibrant, electric pulse. The ensemble doubling as instrumentalists adds flair, depth, and plenty of tongue-in-cheek humour, making the musical side of the show one of its strongest assets. From standout vocals to surprise interludes (including an utterly delightful hedgehog choir a cappella performance of Bohemian Rhapsody), the soundtrack is consistently top tier.

Comedy-wise, Keast as Fairy Spacecake was in tune with the audience, but he shares the stage effortlessly. Liam Tobin’s Dame Vera is equally hilarious, combining quick-fire humour with powerful vocals, and his rendition of All By Myself is a genuine highlight that balances comedy and talent. Rebecca Levy as Ruby brings warmth and charisma, and the Pink Pony Club number is a complete crowd-pleaser.

One of the production’s biggest strengths is how cleverly it uses the Everyman’s stage. They’ve absolutely squeezed every drop of magic out of the space, turning the theatre itself into part of the action. Characters appear from the rafters and zip through the air. The beanstalk growing simultaneously up from the ground and down from the ceiling is a clever visual in its own right, and the transition to the world in the clouds is genuinely lovely, with bubbles, soft lighting, and drifting cloud props transforming the stage into a dreamy, surreal playground for the second act. It feels like a show that knows exactly what tools it has and uses them with confidence and humour.

The pacing stays tight in the second half. If anything, it speeds up, but in a way that matches the plot’s push upwards into the clouds. The adventure with the Golden Goose, the reveal of a certain character’s backstory, and the final showdown with the villain Alan Sucre all land cleanly, with plenty of jokes for all ages. That’s the real joy of this production: it’s genuinely for children and adults alike. Some of the jokes are a little raunchier, but they’re delivered smartly enough that they’ll fly over kids’ heads, though teenagers may clock some of them.

In short: it’s fabulous. Camp, colourful, hilarious, musically exciting, and with a sax-playing cow, no less. Whether you’re bringing kids, heading out with colleagues, or planning a date night, Rock ’n’ Roll Jack and the Beanstalk is a brilliant pick for a magical evening.

The Rock n’ Roll Panto: Jack and the Beanstalk plays at Liverpool Everyman until Saturday 17 January 2026. Tickets are available here.

Abi Kelly is a writer and theatre enthusiast who has studied both Drama and Scriptwriting. A lover of weird and wonderful stories, she’s usually found at home with a book in hand or deep in a theatre seat.