REVIEW
Panto comes to Hadleigh Old Firestation!
20th - 27th December 2025
Show Up Productions
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Link: www.tickettailor.com/events/hadleigholdfirestation - via HOFS website - www.hofs.org.uk/
or https://tdc.community/page/events for the Rochford performance!
Tickets £19/ Family £65/ VIP £30
Panto comes to Hadleigh Old Firestation!
20th - 27th December 2025
Show Up Productions
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Link: www.tickettailor.com/events/hadleigholdfirestation - via HOFS website - www.hofs.org.uk/
or https://tdc.community/page/events for the Rochford performance!
Tickets £19/ Family £65/ VIP £30
As is my wont I went to this pantomime completely blind as to any knowledge of this production company or its history. The only thing I knew with any certainty was that it was an all female cast, although I noted from the programme that a couple of back stage members were male. I also had been nowhere near Hadleigh for several years to the extent of not knowing the old fire station was no longer in use and in this instance used as a pop up theatre.
So, due to my ignorance I arrived stupidly early to find the directions I had been given were spot on and there was plenty of room in the adjacent car park. I whiled away the time in the nearby supermarket.
Upon my return members of the audience had begun to arrive and we shuffled into a small ante room before being shown to our seats. Now, I must be brutally honest about my first impression as I could find nothing that resembled any sort of theatre I had ever been to. However, upon reminding myself that this was not its main use I forced myself to ignore the shoddy venue and sat waiting patiently for the pantomime to begin. I was seated in a row of five seats and was uncomfortably aware that I was the only person alone with no one else in that row. The attendance, although sufficient, was not at full capacity and I felt for the players who I am sure would have liked a larger crowd.
I doubt there are many who have not seen a production, or at least know the story, of Jack and the Beanstalk but I must say this is the first version I have known to veer so much away from the original. The main setting was a milkshake bar run by Uncle Max and his niece and nephew, Jack and Jill, alongside their dear friend Cow...yes an actual cow called Cow, but not a real cow you understand.
Although Jack foolishly traded Cow for the beans it was not he who climbed the beanstalk and met the giant, which was yet another wide departure from the giant in the story, but I won’t give that part away.
Given the less than spacious stage, the building lacking any resemblance to a theatre and, I am sure, many other obstacles the cast and crew had to overcome, they gave their all in a sterling performance. They fulfilled all the requirements of a pantomime with song and dance, the obligatory ‘its behind you’ and ‘oh yes it is’, references to political and local affairs and many a joke. Yes, the jokes. Well I have to say there was one or two which were rather, shall we say, less delicate than in other pantos I have seen, and yes, we will leave it there.
Uncle Max and Jack played their parts with gusto, Jill kept up her end too but unfortunately her voice did not project quite as well and I did miss a few words here and there. Although Cow did not have a speaking part, the facial expressions said it all and Mary Labubu offered up a very clever OTT performance as an evil pod cast ‘celebrity’ who conned Jack out of the cow.
Taken as a night of fun for families it hit the spot and judging from the laughter and audience participation it will be a nice Christmas treat if you can get along to a show up to the 28th December.
Review: Lynn Carroll
So, due to my ignorance I arrived stupidly early to find the directions I had been given were spot on and there was plenty of room in the adjacent car park. I whiled away the time in the nearby supermarket.
Upon my return members of the audience had begun to arrive and we shuffled into a small ante room before being shown to our seats. Now, I must be brutally honest about my first impression as I could find nothing that resembled any sort of theatre I had ever been to. However, upon reminding myself that this was not its main use I forced myself to ignore the shoddy venue and sat waiting patiently for the pantomime to begin. I was seated in a row of five seats and was uncomfortably aware that I was the only person alone with no one else in that row. The attendance, although sufficient, was not at full capacity and I felt for the players who I am sure would have liked a larger crowd.
I doubt there are many who have not seen a production, or at least know the story, of Jack and the Beanstalk but I must say this is the first version I have known to veer so much away from the original. The main setting was a milkshake bar run by Uncle Max and his niece and nephew, Jack and Jill, alongside their dear friend Cow...yes an actual cow called Cow, but not a real cow you understand.
Although Jack foolishly traded Cow for the beans it was not he who climbed the beanstalk and met the giant, which was yet another wide departure from the giant in the story, but I won’t give that part away.
Given the less than spacious stage, the building lacking any resemblance to a theatre and, I am sure, many other obstacles the cast and crew had to overcome, they gave their all in a sterling performance. They fulfilled all the requirements of a pantomime with song and dance, the obligatory ‘its behind you’ and ‘oh yes it is’, references to political and local affairs and many a joke. Yes, the jokes. Well I have to say there was one or two which were rather, shall we say, less delicate than in other pantos I have seen, and yes, we will leave it there.
Uncle Max and Jack played their parts with gusto, Jill kept up her end too but unfortunately her voice did not project quite as well and I did miss a few words here and there. Although Cow did not have a speaking part, the facial expressions said it all and Mary Labubu offered up a very clever OTT performance as an evil pod cast ‘celebrity’ who conned Jack out of the cow.
Taken as a night of fun for families it hit the spot and judging from the laughter and audience participation it will be a nice Christmas treat if you can get along to a show up to the 28th December.
Review: Lynn Carroll
Hadleigh Old Fire Station is being turned into a spectacular pop up theatre for Show Up's production of 'Jack and the Beanstalk'
This is the fourth year they've brought their all female pantomime to Hadleigh - but this December they're transforming the space with a custom built faux proscenium arch, new lighting equipment and temporary stage area.
Which is going to kickstart HOFS offering regular pop up performance spaces in 2026.
With ever present threat of arts funding cuts Show Up is finding new ways to create and share the love of theatre in Castle Point!
About Benfleet based writer/director
Rachel Dingle, who started the company in 2019, grew up and still lives in Benfleet - and has worked in the theatre industry since 2011 - including at The National Theatre, in the West End and various UK Tours.
She has written and directed the pantomime at HOFS for the last three years, and audiences have been steadily growing. Often referred to as 'hilarious' and 'wholesome' the intimate experience of watching theatre in an old fire station is a real treat for friends and families alike.
Contributing to economy
Show Up really believes in providing pathways into the theatre industry. Success stories include several company members going on to further training in lighting, sound and dance. Offering paid work to recent graduates giving space to learn in safe environment and getting first professional credit. Starting Backstage Theatre Club this year to get kids excited about working backstage in theatre. All these initiatives are vital for industry where skills shortage is widely publicised.
Accessible shows
Plus accessible performances; relaxed, baby friendly and cake and chat (for those who might be coming alone - the cast and crew will chat to you before watching the show; and have a cake and hot drink on us!)
Sponsorship/Group Bookings
Sponsorship and group packages available - contact Rachel [email protected]
This is the fourth year they've brought their all female pantomime to Hadleigh - but this December they're transforming the space with a custom built faux proscenium arch, new lighting equipment and temporary stage area.
Which is going to kickstart HOFS offering regular pop up performance spaces in 2026.
With ever present threat of arts funding cuts Show Up is finding new ways to create and share the love of theatre in Castle Point!
About Benfleet based writer/director
Rachel Dingle, who started the company in 2019, grew up and still lives in Benfleet - and has worked in the theatre industry since 2011 - including at The National Theatre, in the West End and various UK Tours.
She has written and directed the pantomime at HOFS for the last three years, and audiences have been steadily growing. Often referred to as 'hilarious' and 'wholesome' the intimate experience of watching theatre in an old fire station is a real treat for friends and families alike.
Contributing to economy
Show Up really believes in providing pathways into the theatre industry. Success stories include several company members going on to further training in lighting, sound and dance. Offering paid work to recent graduates giving space to learn in safe environment and getting first professional credit. Starting Backstage Theatre Club this year to get kids excited about working backstage in theatre. All these initiatives are vital for industry where skills shortage is widely publicised.
Accessible shows
Plus accessible performances; relaxed, baby friendly and cake and chat (for those who might be coming alone - the cast and crew will chat to you before watching the show; and have a cake and hot drink on us!)
Sponsorship/Group Bookings
Sponsorship and group packages available - contact Rachel [email protected]
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