Ashley Banjo and Diversity star in Jack and the Beanstalk panto at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre

DANCE sensations Ashley Banjo and Diversity are all set to lead the cast in Southampton Mayflower Theatre’s annual pantomime spectacular Jack and the Beanstalk.

Opening on Saturday 14th December, the supersized show will also star award-winning actor and stand-up comedian Kev Orkian as the comical Silly Simon, alongside West End performers Matt Rixon as the hilarious Dame Trot, Anne Smith as the evil Mrs Blunderbore, Jacqueline Hughes as the magical Spirit of the Beans, and Lauren Hampton as the loveable Princess Jill.

Britain’s Got Talent winners and street dance sensations, Banjo and Diversity have been cast as Jack and the Trot Family for the three-week run. The cast is completed by Grace Burrows, Joshua Egan, Regan Garcia, Albert Green, Cruz-Troy Hunter, Jacob Morrish, Eden Phillips, Jessica Pickles, Ellie Tames, and India Taylor as the ensemble, with Scott Coltman and Lauren Hartley as understudies.

Jack and the Beanstalk is staged by Crossroads Pantomimes, the world’s biggest pantomime producer, led by Michael Harrison and the creative team behind last year’s Mayflower panto Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, which starred both Banjo and Diversity and Kev Orkian.

Under the leadership of 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.

Speaking before rehearsals began, he said: “Panto takes over life for a little while and it’s a lot of fun. We really love it and it’s so great to be back in Southampton for a second year.

“The production of Jack and the Beanstalk is absolutely next level from all the scenes to the beanstalk and the special effects. We are really excited about it.”

Banjo added: “The Mayflower is a huge theatre and the audiences are so big – it really is a great venue to perform in. Southampton is one of the biggest and best theatres in the country – it’s wonderful to have the space to really be able to perform.”

Jack and the Beanstalk is onstage at Southampton Mayflower Theatre until Sunday 5th January 2025. Tickets are from £19.50. For more information and bookings visit www.mayflower.org.uk or call the box office on 023 8071 1811.