If your family is hunting for a feel-good festive outing on the Norfolk coast, Gorleston Pavilion’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk ticks all the pantomime boxes—bright, silly, and brimming with heart.
This is the kind of show that turns first-time panto goers into instant converts: the jokes are playful rather than snarky, the songs are upbeat and familiar, and the story stays crystal clear for even the youngest audience members.
Add in that cosy, old-school theatre charm you only get at the Pavilion, and you’ve got a Christmas treat that feels proudly local and genuinely magical.
A Classic Tale Told with Coastal Sparkle
The story you know is all here—poor Jack, a handful of “magic” beans, a disbelieving mum, a towering beanstalk, a hungry giant, and a golden-egg payoff—but the Pavilion adds coastal sparkle and a good dose of Norfolk humour.
The script keeps the pace brisk: we meet the characters quickly, understand the stakes immediately, and then it’s off into a whirl of songs, set-pieces, and shout-backs.
Kids latch onto the plot without effort (there’s a clear “baddie” to boo and a very obvious hero to cheer), while grown-ups get the sly asides and winks that make pantomime such a gleeful communal ritual.
Laughs that Land for All Ages
The comedy is pitched just right. Slapstick routines—think custard pies, near-misses, and “he’s behind you!” chaos—spark peals of laughter from little ones, but the performers also know when to pause so the gag can breathe and the room can join in.
There’s audience participation in all the expected places, but it’s handled with warmth rather than embarrassment; shy children won’t be put on the spot, and willing grown-ups can safely enjoy a good-natured ribbing. It’s that confident, friendly tone that keeps the show rolling happily from scene to scene.
Songs You’ll Hum All the Way Home
Panto music lives or dies on energy and recognisability, and Gorleston Pavilion’s band and cast deliver both.
Expect a mix of pop nods that adults clock in a heartbeat and catchy choruses the kids can pick up by the second refrain.
The ensemble numbers fill the stage without ever feeling frantic, and the choreography finds that sweet spot: lively enough to wow younger audience members, but tidy enough that even front-row toddlers can track the action. By the finale, the theatre is a sea of clapping hands and beaming faces.
Set Pieces and a Beanstalk That Gets a Cheer
No spoilers—but yes, the beanstalk reveal earns its applause. The Pavilion leans into clever, theatrical tricks rather than expensive gimmicks, which suits the venue perfectly.
Costume changes pop with colour (plenty of glitter and a few gloriously outrageous frocks), and the villain’s entrances are deliciously over-the-top.
The transformation moments—where magic happens quickly, onstage and in full view—are especially satisfying; you can feel kids sit forward, wide-eyed, as the story lifts into fairy-tale gear.
A Venue That Feels Like Home
Part of the show’s appeal is the setting. The Gorleston Pavilion is one of those theatres that makes a family trip easy.
The auditorium is compact enough that most seats feel close to the action, front-of-house is welcoming and patient, and the interval is well-managed so even with excited children the break feels more treat than trial.
Being right by the seafront also means you can wrap your visit with a wintery beach walk, a hot chocolate, or festive lights—little touches that make the outing feel special without extra planning.
Perfect for First Panto… and Seasoned Fans
If you’re introducing young children to live theatre, this production is a dream first step.
The story beats are simple, the characters are big and clear, and the running time (with interval) sits in that family-friendly sweet spot.
For panto regulars, the production still feels fresh: a few regional gags, some nimble ad-libbing, and a company that’s clearly having a good time keep the laughter bubbling.
It’s the kind of show that turns a wet afternoon or dark December evening into a shared family memory.
Jack and the Beanstalk at Gorleston Pavilion is exactly what you hope a family panto will be: lively without being frantic, funny without being mean, and magical without losing its human touch.
It celebrates community, gives nervous little theatre-goers permission to be loud and joyous, and lets parents sit back for two hours and share the wonder.
By the curtain call, you’ll have cheered, booed, clapped in time, and—almost certainly—hummed a tune you’ll be hearing at breakfast the next morning.
If your Christmas wish list includes a show that’s intimate, affordable, and bursting with giant-sized fun, plant your beans firmly in Gorleston.
This one grows on you from the very first “Once upon a time”—all the way up to the clouds.
Grab your tickets HERE its showing until 4th January 2026