It’s December and the pantomime season is in full swing.

While many productions, fail to live up to the hype, Jack and the Beanstalk  really lives up to its billing of the ‘giant pantomime spectacular’.

Panto season at the New Wimbledon Theatre has taken off – quite literally.

Forget the run-of-the-mill productions that leave paying punters disappointed – this production is worth every penny.

The special effects make this production one to remember.

The sight of Al Murray’s Barman Al character squeezed into a REAL helicopter hovering over the stage and above the audience had everyone up and down the aisles roaring with laughter.

And as the first half of the show ended on this high, the second began in equally spectacular fashion.

With 3-D trickery the audience was left mesmerised as we watched the cast escape from the Giant’s lair as gunge, goo, worms other creepy crawlies came hurling out of the stage into our direction.

Special effects aside, there is great chemistry between Al Murray – who reproduces his pub landlord role to great effect with witty one liners and the odd political observation – and Clive Rowe’s Dame Trot, who together produce some memorable moments.

The boos and hisses were enthusiastically aimed at the evil villain landlord Fleshcreep, effectively played by John Jack, while Liam Tamne’s Jack Trot got everyone in the singing and dancing mood with songs that were well choreographed and executed.

If it’s just one pantomime you’re going to see this Christmas, then make it Jack and the Beanstalk at the New Wimbledon Theatre. You won’t be disappointed.