Pompey Panto 2026: Kings Theatre unveils star-studded cast for Jack and the Beanstalk
Sean Smith will reprise his role as Jack alongside Eastenders legend Shaun Williamson as the villain Fleshcreep
Now that summer is officially over, the Kings Theatre has unveiled its star-studded cast for this year's beloved Christmas pantomime.
This year’s Pompey Panto will tell the much-loved story of Jack and the Beanstalk, and the cast is star-studded. Sean Smith will return to the Kings Theatre as Jack, a loveable rogue who buys some magical beans and ends up on an adventure filled with antics as he meets the evil Fleshcreep, played by Eastenders legend Shaun Williamson.
The show will also feature two late-night ‘Mucky Panto’ performances for an adult audience, after the idea was launched last year and sold out quickly.
“I really feel like this year the script is bigger and better than ever,” said Smith, who has played Jack in the Pompey Panto before. “It is so so funny, it’s got loads of new jokes and it's just gone to another level.”
“I’ve always loved panto, it's such an amazing English tradition and something to look forward to for Christmas,” said Smith. “There’s a scene where I have been a bit silly and there’s a really silly scene that involves music and Elton John and I think it’s going to have the audience in hysterics, so I can’t wait for that!”
This year’s villain of the show is Shaun Williamson, who is renowned for his role as Barry in Eastenders. He has trodden the boards of the Kings Theatre many times before, and became the first patron of the Portsmouth Theatres earlier this year.
“Fleshcreep is not a particularly nice person, he wants to destroy the environment so that marks him as a bit of a bad egg really,” said Williamson. “He’s rotten through and through and that's wonderful!”
“It’s much more fun playing villains, I thoroughly enjoy it. There’s nothing like legally insulting people and getting booed back, it’s rather cathartic,” he said.
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The show marks a first for a well-known face from Kings Theatre pantomimes over the years. Jack Edwards has been the resident dame at the theatre for many years, and will take the stage playing Dame Trott, but for the first time, he will also be directing the show too.
“This is my twelfth year of pantomime but my first year directing. I don’t think I’ve ever directed and performed the same show before, so it will be interesting.”
“As a director your eyes are from the audience to the stage so I need to be able to let myself go a bit and enjoy the show instead of directing.”
Edwards is also co-directing a community pantomime of Mother Goose at the Theatre Royal, so he will be very busy over in the run up to the festive period.
“I don’t know how I’m going to balance everything but it’s very exciting,” said Edwards. “It’s going to be a challenge but we will see what happens. Panto is tiring but there is something about coming out and seeing the theatre full, it’s the best site you will ever see.”
The show also features the award-winning Steph Aves as Jill. Aves won the best performance in a female role in a musical at the Spotlight awards this year for her part in Kings Theatre’s production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
“It is super exciting to be part of this cast because I live locally. I think its really wonderful when you get to perform to local audiences in the place you think of as home, so I think that is quite special,” she said.
“The show is going to be outrageous, hysterical and feel-good family vibes!”
Joe Pollard will also be making a return to the Pompey Panto after his debut last year. He will play Jack’s brother, Simon Trott, a comedic character that he describes as “off the wall”.
“I have been acting since I was about 12 and fell into panto. I am very grateful to be back at the Kings Theatre this year,” he said. “I love playing a comic role, I have been doing it for years. I am excited that we have a big set piece that I think is going to get messy!”
The show will also feature the character Spirit of the Beans, a sassy spirit performed by actor and dancer Catherine Saunders. “I think Spirit of the Beans is a really confident character and it's great for children to see on stage,” she said. “I was here last year as a dancer and I am very excited to have a part in this beautiful show this year!”
The cast have had script reads already but met in person for the first time at the Kings Theatre today, ahead of rehearsals in November. The cast will rehearse for two weeks before a few technical rehearsals with full lighting and costume before the curtains open for the first show on Friday December 4.
The show will run for more than 40 performances until New Year’s Eve. Tickets have been on sale all year, but there are still some available. There are also accessible performances to ensure that everyone can join in the fun.
An additional date has also been added for the ‘Mucky Panto’ due to huge demand. Smith said: “I did one before and it was obscene and I’m sure this one will go even further. It will be a highlight of the year, for sure”.
You can find more information about the show and tickets here.