Beamish Museum is staging a 1950s pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, each weekend until 16th February 2025, oh yes we are!
The Beamish Amateur Dramatic Society will perform the panto in our 1950s welfare hall on Saturdays and Sundays. The classic tale sees Jack sell his cow for a handful of magic beans, leading to the discovery of a giant as well as a harp and a hen that lays golden eggs, with lots of music and merriment along the way.
Lisa Powell, Beamish Pantomime Director and Operational Lead for the 1950s welfare hall, said: “While everyone knows the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, it’s a pantomime being performed at Beamish Museum so it’s going to have a Beamish twist!”
Porle Miller, Beamish Pantomime Scriptwriter, and museum Engager, said: “Whenever we undertake a panto performance, we strive to retain the charm, naivety and understated production values of the 1950s which we believe enhances the visitors’ immersion into the era they’re visiting at the time.
“This is a show put together by a community so that everyone can have a good time!”
Now in its third year, the Beamish Amateur Dramatic Society’s pantomime is written, directed and performed by museum staff and volunteers. Lisa said: “A pantomime cannot come together overnight, it is about teamwork, hard work, and trust, and in our Beamish Amateur Dramatic Society, we have all these qualities.
“I don’t know if you can tell, but I am immensely proud and very excited about this year’s Beamish Pantomime! Oh, yes, I am!”
Porle added: “I’m very fortunate to be asked to write the pantomime, for several reasons, but I think the most important aspect that I take from it is the reaction to the show from our younger visitors. For that short period of time, the kids in the audience are whisked away to a magical world and, as we’ve witnessed in past shows, they believe everything that’s happening before their very eyes. Knowing I’ve written that and therefore been a part of that spectacle, I consider that to be more magical than any spell from a Fairy Godmother.”
Performances take place on Saturdays and Sundays until 16th February 2025, at 11am, 1pm and 2.30pm in the museum’s 1950s welfare hall and last around 50 minutes. Tickets for the Beamish Pantomime cost £3 per person (under 5s free, museum admission charges apply) and must be booked in advance.
See www.beamish.org.uk/panto to book tickets.