Christmas pantomime at The Arts Theatre Cambridge with Ian McKellen voicing the Giant, suitable for all ages.
The Arts Theatre Cambridge is bringing Jack and the Beanstalk to its stage this Christmas, running from Friday 27 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. The press night is Tuesday 1 December at 6pm. It's the theatre's annual pantomime, and this year the big draw is Ian McKellen, who provides the voice of the fearsome Giant at the top of the beanstalk. Writer Chris Jarvis penned the script with him in mind, and McKellen recorded his lines back in early October.
McKellen's connection to the venue goes beyond this one role. He's an ambassador for the theatre's redevelopment capital campaign, and he's spoken about the very flagstone at the stage door where he once decided to become a professional actor. He's no stranger to panto, either: he previously starred in Mother Goose in the West End and Wicked Witches - A Popular Panto! at The Pleasance Theatre. Outside the panto world, his screen credits run from Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit to Magneto in the X-Men series and the title role in Richard III, with a Tony Award, six Laurence Olivier Awards and a Golden Globe to his name.
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Directing the show is Kevan Allen, who has been the theatre's resident choreographer for over a decade and makes his directorial debut here. The production is suitable for all ages, and there are relaxed, BSL-interpreted, captioned and audio-described performances available. Tickets start from £10, and the theatre is at 6 St Edward's Passage, Cambridge, CB2 3PJ.
