Mayflower Theatre has today released cast images ahead of this year's gigantic pantomime adventure, Jack and the Beanstalk. 

Britain’s Got Talent winners and street dance sensations Ashley Banjo and Diversity will return to lead this year’s cast as Jack and the Trot Family alongside actor and stand-up comedian Kev Orkian as Silly Simon, actress Anne Smith as Mrs Blunderbore and West End performer Matt Rixon as Dame Trot.

They will be joined by Jacqueline Hughes as the Spirit of the Beans and Lauren Hampton as Princess Jill.

(Image: Stuart Martin/Mayflower Theatre)

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Jack and the Beanstalk is staged by Crossroads Pantomimes, the world’s biggest pantomime producer and the creative team behind recent Mayflower Theatre Christmas successes, including last year’s production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

For three weeks only, Jack and the Beanstalk will bring all the glittering festive magic audiences have come to expect each year from Mayflower Theatre’s spectacular Christmas panto.

(Image: Stuart Martin/Mayflower Theatre)

Under the leadership of Ashley Banjo as founder, choreographer, and creative director, Diversity won Britain’s Got Talent over 15 years ago and since then have gone from strength to strength.

The BAFTA-award winning group has sold well over half a million tickets across their ten sell out UK tours and Banjo was awarded an MBE in the 2022 New Years Honours List for services to dance.

The same year, Ashley and Diversity were privileged to perform for Her Majesty The Queen at her Platinum Jubilee concert.

Kev Orkian began his career as a classical concert pianist, before making the transition into the world of comedy.

In 2010, Kev became a finalist of ITV’s hit show Britain’s Got Talent, a year after his pantomime co-stars Diversity won.

Anne Smith’s West End credits include Evita, Chess, Mamma Mia!, Good Rockin Tonite, Robin Prince of Sherwood, Only the Lonely, and Annie.

Anne has also appeared on television and film with roles in Taggart, EastEnders, Birds of a Feather, Half Light and Cinderella

Fe-fi-fo-fum, it’s the panto you’ve bean waiting for!

Jack and the Beanstalk runs from Saturday December 14 to Sunday January 5. Tickets are available from mayflower.org.uk