The countdown to Christmas is officially underway as Theatre Royal Nottingham prepares to welcome audiences to this year’s giant family pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, starring broadcaster, barrister, and bestselling author Rob Rinder as the magical Spirit of the Beans.
Running from Saturday 28 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, the spectacular production from Crossroads Pantomimes will also star television and theatre favourite Samantha Womack as the villainous Mrs Blunderbore, returning Nottingham panto favourite Neil Hurst as Simon Trot, acclaimed cabaret performer Mary Mac as Dame Trot, alongside musical theatre stars Matthew Croke as Jack and Mia Kobayashi as Princess Jill.
Making his Nottingham pantomime debut, Rob Rinder says live theatre offers a thrill unlike anything else in his varied career.
“Being live on stage is infinitely more terrifying than any of that other stuff,” he said. “You can go back and rub out some of the work if you’re a writer. When you’re making documentaries, half the time you stop and film again. But the delightfulness of being in the glittery glare of the audience and being wholly and entirely present is infinitely more exciting and wonderful.”
As the Spirit of the Beans, Rob will guide audiences through the classic fairy tale with plenty of magic and mischief.
“It’s going to be full of magic, naturally, because it’s the magic beans,” he said. “Full of kind judgement, most of the time, depending on whether you’re a goodie or a baddie. And, above all else, people delighting in the story of Jack and the Beanstalk, only told through a new, even more exciting, and funny lens.”
Rob is best known as a barrister, broadcaster, and Sunday Times No.1 bestselling author. His acclaimed television work includes the BAFTA-winning Who Do You Think You Are?, the documentary My Family, The Holocaust, and Me, and the hugely popular BBC travel series Rob & Rylan’s Grand Tour and Rob and Rylan’s Passage to India. In 2020, he was awarded an MBE for services to Holocaust education.
Joining him is one of the UK’s most recognisable television and stage stars, Samantha Womack. Known to millions as Ronnie Mitchell in EastEnders, Samantha has enjoyed an acclaimed career spanning television, film, and theatre, most recently appearing in the UK tour of Dear England as sports psychologist Pippa Grange.
Comedy will be in safe hands with Neil Hurst returning following his hugely successful appearance in last year’s Cinderella. A firm favourite with Nottingham audiences, Neil has appeared in hit television series including The Syndicate, Fresh Meat, Coronation Street and All Creatures Great and Small.
Meanwhile, celebrated performer Mary Mac brings her renowned wit, vocal talent, and crowd-pleasing energy to the role of Dame Trot. With a career spanning theatres, cabaret venues and cruise ships around the world, Mary is regarded as one of the UK’s most popular dame performers.
For Rob, joining the long history of pantomime at the Theatre Royal is particularly special.
“Everything,” he said when asked what it means to be part of the venue’s festive tradition. “Nottingham was the epicentre of some of the greatest theatre that this country ever showed. We’re far too London-centric in our country, when right in the middle, the heart of England, is this incredible city that is full of history, and the theatre being at the epicentre of it.
“Some of the greatest actors who ever spoke the English language trod the boards of the stage I’m about to go on, which makes it both mildly frightening, but also completely delightful.”
With the Theatre Royal’s pantomime tradition stretching back more than 160 years, audiences can once again expect a festive production packed with spectacular special effects, dazzling costumes, catchy musical numbers, and plenty of opportunities to join in.
And Rob is particularly excited to experience Nottingham audiences for himself.
“Panto is the absolute British essence of what it means to be alongside one another in theatre, and that’s why I absolutely love it,” he said. “I hope that, frankly, Nottingham is rowdier than anywhere else I’ve been. I’ve heard they are. I’ll believe it when I see it.”
He added: “One of the great things about people from Nottingham is that they tell you like it is. They ‘say what they bloomin’ well mean,’ and that’s what I like.”
Fee-fi-fo-fum, a giant of a panto full of fun! Follow Jack as he climbs a beanstalk of gigantic proportions to Cloudland, takes on the fearsome giant and discovers riches beyond his wildest dreams. Packed with comedy, adventure, music and audience participation, Jack and the Beanstalk promises to be the must-see family entertainment event of the festive season.
Jack and the Beanstalk runs at Theatre Royal Nottingham from Saturday 28 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027.
For tickets visit www.trch.co.uk or call the Box Office on 0115 989 5555.
Posted on 02 October 2026
