Sir Ian McKellen and Julie Hesmondhalgh lend their voices to Nottingham Playhouse pantomime Jack and The Beanstalk

Renowned actors Sir Ian McKellen and Julie Hesmondhalgh will star in this year’s Playhouse pantomine — as the voices of a giant and harp.

Following funding cuts earlier in the year, the theatre has been ‘fortunate’ to receive the support of many well-known figures, and the pair have generously agreed to lend their voices to this year’s legendary Nottingham Playhouse panto, Jack and the Beanstalk.

Sir Ian will feature as the commanding voice of Giant Blunderbore, while Julie will provide the lyrical voice of the Magical Golden Harp.

Sir Ian McKellen’s involvement with Nottingham Playhouse is long-standing, as part of the first company of Coriolanus when the building opened in 1963. More recently, he visited with his one-man show in 2019, when he helped to fundraise over £50,000.

Julie Hesmondhalgh featured in the sell-out James Graham world premiere of Punch earlier this year, which transfers to the Young Vic in March 2025, and has been a vocal supporter of theatres across the country.

Adam Penford, artistic director, said: “We've been making our panto in-house for decades, employing a range of permanent and freelance highly skilled craftspeople. Our panto is seen by 40,000 people each year, including thousands of school children, and for many it's their only trip to the theatre each year, so we pride ourselves on a high-quality production.

“Recognising all of the above, Sir Ian and Julie generously agreed to lend their voices to Jack and the Beanstalk, to support Nottingham Playhouse, regional theatre, and the tradition of panto.”

Jack and the Beanstalk opens today (November 29) and runs until January 18, 2025.

Audiences can expect top tunes, dazzling costumes, and plenty of audience participation in this super-sized extravaganza that promises to leave everyone feeling sky-high.

When Jack exchanges the family cow for mysterious beans, he begins an epic adventure when they grow into an enormous beanstalk.

Join Jack as he bravely climbs to discover a land above the clouds, where a ferocious giant lurks in his castle. Will Jack outwit the giant and leave with the magic harp the giant stole from his father? And can he bag the golden egg-laying goose that will change his family’s fortunes forever?

Nottingham Playhouse’s production of Jack and the Beanstalk is sponsored by Nottingham City Transport.