Aylesbury Waterside Theatre have officially announced this year’s laugh-out-loud family pantomime will be Jack and the Beanstalk – a first in the venue’s history; and will see the return of family favourite and local legend, Andy Collins playing Silly Simon.
Running from Fri 5 Dec ’25 – Sun 4 Jan ’26 this year’s production promises an adventure that’s bigger than ever before! Bouncing back on stage for his 14th pantomime at the Waterside, Andy is ready to play a new role and teases elements of the show that audiences have come to know and love will be back, including the infamous 12 Days of Christmas – because all beanstalks need watering of course(!)
Andy is proud to share his love of the panto tradition, and for all those who share it with him. He says: ‘Every year I am blown away by the audiences who bring an energy that is unrivalled for me as an entertainer. From the moment I walk on stage to when the curtain falls, you can feel the support and thirst for fun. The fact I see babies in arms and grandparents all sharing the experience together is something I think is very special. Panto is unique – and for those who are familiar with Aylesbury’s panto, they’ll know it’s unique in more ways than one(!) I am so proud of what we’ve achieved over the last 14 years, and excited for all that’s yet to come’.
The show’s producers, UK Productions are already working on the set for this year’s title; one that is new to the Waterside Theatre and for the first time boasts incredible 3D effects.
The story tells of a heinous henchman kidnapping a cow and a princess from the downtrodden town of Boggy Bottom, leading to young hero, Jack, finding himself on an adventure that he thought only existed in story books.
With a punch-packing princess, a feisty fairy, a silly sibling, a witty widow, a kind-hearted king… and a cow with some beef, this year’s show is ready to shoot into the heart of pantogoers and is sure to be one to remember.
Aylesbury Waterside Theatre welcomed over 50,000 festive audience members at the end of last year and have also announced raising a charitable value of over £23,000 through their bucket collections in support of Autism Early Support and Aylesbury Foodbank and their Magic Tickets scheme which gifted over 500 tickets to families less fortunate enabling them to enjoy the show.
Sarah Sweet-Rowley, CEO of Autism Early Support said: “Waterside Theatre and your very generous panto-goers we salute you! We’ve been blown away by the scale of your cash collections over your Christmas panto season. Every single penny has been gratefully received by us and it will be used to fund our life-changing, specialist work with children and their families here at Autism Early Support.”
Tickets are on sale now for this year’s giant adventure packed with bucketfuls of fee-fi-fo-fun!
Jack and the Beanstalk at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre
