Winterval Panto: Jack & The Beanstalk

Christmas in Waterford is set to sparkle brighter than ever as the curtain rises on Jack and the Beanstalk, a glittering new pantomime extravaganza at the SETU Arena.

From 17 to 30 December 2025, audiences will be treated to a spectacular mix of comedy, song, dance and festive magic as a star-studded cast take to the stage in a show that promises to be the highlight of the holiday season in the South East.

At the heart of the cast is Waterford’s own Richie Hayes, who brings a quarter-century of pantomime and stage artistry home in what is both a personal and professional milestone. After acclaimed seasons at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin and the University Concert Hall in Limerick, Richie is finally fulfilling a lifelong ambition by leading a major pantomime in his native city. For him, this show is more than a performance—it is a homecoming, a chance to share the sparkle of his panto magic with local audiences who have supported his journey since childhood. He describes bringing the magic of Jack and the Beanstalk to Waterford as a dream come true, marking the culmination of years on the national stage and now returning to where it all began.

Danny O’Carroll, beloved across Ireland and beyond as the cheeky and warm-hearted Buster Brady from the global comedy phenomenon Mrs Brown’s Boys, joins the company as the uproarious Dame Mother Hen. O’Carroll, who captured the nation’s heart earlier this year as a finalist on Dancing with the Stars, is no stranger to making audiences laugh, and his larger-than-life humour is set to light up the SETU Arena. Known for his quick wit, boundless energy and natural connection with family audiences, Danny brings a star quality that promises to make this production a must-see. His turn as the Dame will be a riot of fun, laughter and outrageous costumes, ensuring that children and parents alike will be in stitches from start to finish.

In the title role of Jack, Evan O’Hanlon brings his rich background in pantomime and international performances to his hometown stage, while Sharon Clancy steps into the villainous shoes of the evil Baroness Felicia. Clancy’s storied career spans leading roles in London’s West End—including Mamma Mia!, Grease and Tonight’s the Night—as well as screen appearances and her own jazz trio and stage academy work in Wexford.

Holly Ryan returns as the enchanting Magical Fairy, bringing both local roots and a wealth of theatre experience to the production, and Jamie Drohan, beloved as Waterford’s Winterval Train Driver, makes his pantomime debut as the affable and comical Mayor of Deiseville. Completing the ensemble, 19-year-old musical theatre student Alex Kavanagh makes her professional debut as Jill.

This festive offering promises to whisk audiences up the beanstalk into Deiseville, where magic beans, towering beanstalks and a larger-than-life giant await to enchant families and theatre-goers alike. With laughter, heartwarming performances and a timeless battle of good versus evil, this pantomime stands as the South East’s premier seasonal spectacle.