Miriam Margolyes voices the Giant at Lighthouse Poole

Bournemouth's neighbouring town of Poole is about to land a name that needs little introduction. Miriam Margolyes, best known to most as Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter films, is making her first-ever pantomime appearance this winter at Lighthouse Poole, where she voices the cheese-loving Giant Blunderbore in 'Jack and the Beanstalk'. The run takes in the festive period, from Thursday 10 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, so it sits right in the middle of the school holidays.

A couple of things are worth knowing before you book. First, Margolyes is not appearing on stage; her performance is pre-recorded, though the production has built her characterisation into one of the show's highlights. Second, she has donated her fee to Lighthouse's annual Christmas Appeal, which goes towards getting more children through the doors. For an actress who has spent decades on screen and stage, this is a genuine first: pantomime was her first experience of theatre, and she is returning to it as a voice role.

The rest of the cast is a strong mix of local and professional talent. Chris Jarvis writes and directs the show and also plays Dame Trott, Sarah Louise Young takes on the wicked Flesh Creep, Bernadette Bangura is Fairy Sunshine, Kieran Morris is Jack, Robert Rees plays Merlin, and Sienna Sofia Glackin makes her Poole debut as Jack's sweetheart. Bangura is the local connection worth noting: born in Poole and raised in Bournemouth, the West End actress and singer has been a finalist on 'All Together Now', 'Britain's Got Talent' in 2012 and 'Strictly Come Dancing' in 2022, and previously played Motormouth Maybelle in the touring production of 'Hairspray' at Lighthouse, which sold out in 2022. The creative team behind the show is the same one responsible for 'Dick Whittington', 'Sleeping Beauty' in 2024, the Pantomime Award-winning 'Aladdin' in 2023 and 'Cinderella' in 2022.

On the practical side, tickets start at £20, with school rates at £17.50 plus one free teacher ticket for every ten, and group discounts for parties of ten or more. There are relaxed, BSL, captioned and audio-described performances available, which is a welcome touch for a family show. Lighthouse itself is a registered charity and one of the largest regional arts centres in the UK outside London, so the ticket money goes back into supporting creativity across Dorset.

If you are travelling in from Bournemouth, the venue is in the heart of Poole, and there is plenty to fill out the day around it: Poole Museum and Scaplen's Court are free, the Georgian Old Town is worth a wander, and the award-winning beaches are close by. The Artful Salt Pig cafe and restaurant sits right at The Lighthouse on Kingland Road, so it is an easy spot to grab something to eat before or after. With Margolyes lending her voice to the Giant and a local favourite like Bangura on the bill, it is a well-stacked version of a CBeebies favourite, and the Christmas Appeal connection gives the whole thing a bit more heart than your average panto.