Jack and the Beanstalk Swan Theatre, Worcester (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Jack and the Beanstalk Swan Theatre, Worcester

SELL your magic beans if you have to and buy a ticket to see Jack and the Beanstalk at the Swan Theatre in Worcester.

Having dragged two reluctant sons there on Saturday, I ended up having to drag them away - it's that good!

It was a performance which captivated young and old; entertained all and sundry and was a credit to anyone involved in Paul Tate's production which runs until Wednesday, December 28.

And there's even Britt Ekland for the dads as Fairy Kindheart.

But the real star of the show was Chris Vincent as Fleshcreep who provided just the right amount of camp and "whatever" to the traditional booed-greeting from the audience.

The storyline flits between Jack and several pantos but is punctuated by modern songs beautifully sung by the cast including Sarah-Jane Bourne as Jill whose voice prompted my 12-year-old to exclaim: "she can really sing!". Which is the object, after all, of a panto providing a perfect antidote to the commercial overkill of Christmas. We're lucky to have such a professional production in such a community-sized theatre on our doorsteps. Treat yourself to a giant of a panto.

Review by JOHN MURPHY