Youth theatre group ready to put a fresh spin on a panto classic
By Matthew Hancock-Bruce 4th Jan 2026
By Matthew Hancock-Bruce 4th Jan 2026
Jack and the Beanstalk is coming to Macclesfield, but not as you know it.
Prestbury Youth Panto arrives at MADS Little Theatre on Wednesday, January 7.
The script has been written by Lawrence Pickup, who wanted to create lots of characters to give all the group's young performers a chance to shine.
He said: "The people of Pantoville are at risk of losing their livelihoods because they cannot compete with the mysterious tech-giant 'Big Farmer' who is flooding the market with his enormous genetically modified crops and hormonal chickens.
"It's so bad that our Dame, Aunt Sally, has had to close her farm and open a joke shop but when her son Jack sells the farm's last asset, Daisy the Pantomime Cow, for a handful of magic beans, an opportunity to upload himself to The Cloud and confront Big Farmer appears!"

Lawrence is co-directing the pantomime alongside Al McCall.
Ben Beer serves as musical director, with Lisa Scott the choreographer.
The production features 24 principal characters with a chorus comprised of seven 'genetically modified talking sheep'.
On top of that, Prestbury Youth Panto boast a troupe of six dancers.
Lawrence added: "One of the unique things about Prestbury Youth Panto is that every single cast member performs in almost every single song and dance.
"These kids work incredibly hard and need to be seen to be believed."

The show runs until Saturday, January 10, with tickets selling fast.
There is also a performance with BSL interpretation on Wednesday, January 7.
Secure your seats here.
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