Boasting the promised and very impressive “biggest beanstalk in the world”, which reaches right up to the ornate ceiling of the Devonshire Park theatre, Eastbourne’s traditional family pantomime is bursting with crowd-pleasing delights, including a massive giant and Clarabelle the singing and dancing cow.

Martyn Knight, playing the dame for the fifth consecutive year, has found the perfect partner in Carl Patrick as Simple Simon. Their empathy for each other shines through as they generate laughter (and sometimes tears) in their scenes together throughout the show.

Emma Barton, with her EastEnders days behind her, has created a fine, bold, upright hero as Jack Trott the giant killer, who eventually wins the hand of Princess Jill, beautifully played by relative newcomer Sophie Isaacs.

As The Good Fairy, Karen Mann demonstrates the same versatility she showed recently in The Hot Mikado by singing, dancing and playing the trumpet, while simultaneously out-witting the villain, Fleshcreep, played by Kevin Pallister – a man of many talents himself with singing and guitar playing.

Chris Jordan has stuck with his principle of keeping panto traditional with Jack And The Beanstalk and the result is a show that will delight “children” of all ages.

* Call 01323 412000