Christmas pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk at The Kings Theatre, featuring Shaun Williamson as the villainous Fleshcreep and local performer Stephanie Aves as Jill.
Jack and the Beanstalk opens at The Kings Theatre on Friday 4 December, the start of the Pompey Panto 2026 season. It's the city's Christmas pantomime, and the big draw this year is Shaun Williamson returning to the stage as the villainous Fleshcreep.
Williamson is a familiar face at the Kings, and this is a quick turnaround for him: he's taking on the pantomime's bad guy not long after playing the Toymaker in the venue's production of Chitty Chitty Bang. Local performer Stephanie Aves rounds out the announced cast as Jill, with further casting and ticket information still to be confirmed.
There's a bit more to Williamson's connection to the city's stages this year, too. He's been named Patron of Portsmouth Theatres, the first patron since the city's two flagship venues, The Kings Theatre Portsmouth and the Theatre Royal Portsmouth, merged under the Portsmouth Theatres banner. Artistic Director and Deputy CEO Jack Edwards said Williamson represents everything the organisation values in live theatre and is now 'part of the family'.
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So, if you're looking for a family outing this December, you've got the beanstalk and the giant, with Williamson as the villain to boo and Aves as Jill. The show kicks off on 4 December at The Kings Theatre.
