Review: Matthew Wolfenden Stars in Sunderland Empire's Panto Jack and the Beanstalk

We love Sunderland Empire’s annual Christmas pantomime for so many reasons. You can always rely on Tom Whalley’s hilarious scripts with limitless gags and Miss Rory’s constant fourth wall breaks and jokes (which occasionally push the limits for a family show) – but they always make it bigger and better each year. Last year’s Beauty and The Beast had a West End star and Emmerdale's Charlie Hardwick, and quite frankly remains hard to beat. So when Matthew Wolfenden told us to expect 3D glasses and a big surprise, we were excited to see what they had planned. 

We take our seats, 3D glasses at the ready, and are treated to a classic pantomime. The sets are elaborate, there’s fabulous costumes as always, and Tom Whalley (Silly Simon this year) and Miss Rory (Rorina Trott, of course) are on top form. Their one-liners come thick and fast, we’re so busy hysterically laughing at one that we miss another. Matthew (as a playful and cheeky Jack) is a ball of energy, dancing around the stage whilst singing and playing a fantastic brother to Silly Simon. Matthew and Tom have so much fun together on stage but Miss Rory always keeps them in line… and as always steals the show (which is packed with Emmerdale jokes, of course). 

The supporting cast are equally fantastic this year. Princess Jill is played by Emma Crossley and with The Vegetable Fairy (Millie Readshaw) they bring refreshing girl power to this performance. Why shouldn’t a princess fight the giant’s minion Fleshcreep? Gary Davis as The King is equally brilliant and brings an operatic tone to some of the musical numbers which the audience applaud. Even a member of the ensemble gets a few lines. Watch out if you’re on the front row… Rorina Trott is recently single, and she’s looking for a man. Poor audience member Kevin is her victim for this show. 

The song choices this year are in a different league. We love the Trott’s take on Chappell Roan’s Hot To Go and quite frankly weren’t expecting an incredible reimagining of Defying Gravity which goes down a storm. Act two is where the 3D element comes in, for both the giant scene and the annual ghost ‘he’s behind you’ scene. The kids love it, screaming as animated characters hurtle towards them. It’s a clever element to an already brilliant script. 

We never thought we’d see a show where a vegan sausage roll saves the day but that’s the… magic… of pantomime.

Missing Jack and the Beanstalk would be a big mistake, huge… giant! The show goes on ’til 5th January.