Lisa George to star in Blackpool’s No.1 Pantomime

Blackpool Grand Theatre is set to reach truly gigantic new heights this Christmas as Coronation Street star Lisa George climbs aboard Jack and the Beanstalk as the magical ‘Spirit of the Beans’ - in a spectacular, showstopping production that promises to be the biggest, boldest and most breathtaking pantomime yet.

Announced to huge excitement at the theatre’s 2026 Season Launch on 9 April, this casting sets the stage for a pantomime packed with star power, soaring spectacle and beanstalk-sized laughs, as Blackpool’s No.1 Pantomime returns to reign supreme.

With a career spanning more than three decades across television and stage, Lisa George has become one of the UK’s most recognisable and versatile performers. Best known for her long-running role as Beth Tinker in ITV’s Coronation Street from 2011 to 2024, she quickly became a ‘fan favourite’, earning award nominations and widespread acclaim for her ability to balance sharp comedy with powerful emotional storytelling. Her wider screen credits include appearances in Casualty, Holby City, Emmerdale and the BAFTA-nominated drama The Illustrated Mum, showcasing her range across both drama and light entertainment. Trained at the prestigious Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Lisa also brings strong stage credentials, including touring productions and live performance work, alongside her memorable turn as a finalist on ITV’s Dancing on Ice in 2020. This breadth of experience, combined with her natural warmth and connection with audiences, makes her an exciting and perfectly cast addition to the magic and spectacle of pantomime.

George will star alongside award-winning comic Steve Royle as the brilliantly bonkers ‘Silly Simon’, Lisa George brings warmth, wit and unmistakable star quality to a production that is pulling out all the stops. Together, they will lead audiences on a magical, sky-high adventure where anything feels possible and every moment is larger than life.

Steve Royle returns to Blackpool Grand Theatre as the irrepressible ‘Silly Simon’, bringing with him a whirlwind of energy, quick-fire wit and award-winning comedy. Crowned ‘Best Comic’ at the UK Pantomime Awards for his standout performance in Cinderella (2025) at Blackpool Grand, Steve has firmly established himself as one of the country’s leading pantomime performers. A master of improvisation and audience interaction, he blends razor-sharp timing with warm, inclusive fun that keeps audiences of all ages in stitches. With a career spanning television, radio and live performance - including appearances on Britain’s Got Talent and as a BBC Radio Lancashire favourite - Steve’s return guarantees huge laughs, unforgettable moments and the kind of electric atmosphere that defines Blackpool’s No.1 Pantomime.

Produced by Martin Dodd for UK Productions - the team behind last year’s award-nominated Cinderella (nominated for ‘Best Pantomime (Over 900 seats)’ at the UK Pantomime Awards) - Jack and the Beanstalk proudly continues its legacy as Blackpool’s No.1 Pantomime, delivering a theatrical experience that has become a cornerstone of Christmas for generations of families.

This is pantomime on a truly epic scale. Audiences can expect jaw-dropping 3D special effects, breathtaking visual transformations and a production that grows in spectacle and excitement with every scene. From gasp-inducing moments that leap from the stage to larger-than-life set pieces and high-impact theatrical magic, this is an experience designed to amaze from start to finish. But beyond the glitter and grandeur lies something even more powerful - a shared emotional experience that brings families together, sparks joy across generations and leaves audiences uplifted, energised and full of festive spirit.

For many, a visit to Blackpool’s N0.1 Pantomime is more than a night out - it is a cherished tradition. It is where memories are made, where laughter is shared and where the magic of live theatre is felt in its purest form. As the curtain falls, audiences don’t just leave entertained; they leave glowing, uplifted, and already planning their return.

Previous audiences have hailed Blackpool Grand’s pantomime as “the best we’ve ever seen”, “absolutely incredible from start to finish,” and “a magical experience that just gets better every year, we wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

Lisa George told us, “I’m genuinely over the moon to be joining Jack and the Beanstalk at Blackpool Grand Theatre, a venue that has such an incredible reputation, not just locally but right across the UK, for delivering one of the very best pantomimes in the country. There’s a real sense that this is something the local community absolutely loves, supports, and feels proud of, but it also draws people in from far and wide because of the quality and scale of what’s created here. I know how much passion, care and sheer talent go into these productions from the amazing team at The Grand and UK Productions, and you can feel that in every moment on stage. Pantomime is such a special part of Christmas - it brings families together, creates lifelong memories and fills the theatre with pure joy - and to be part of ‘Blackpool’s No.1 Pantomime’ is a real privilege. I honestly can’t wait to step on that stage, meet the audiences and share in something truly magical.”

Steve Royle replied, “Blackpool Grand at Christmas is something really special, and over the years, the audiences here have genuinely become like an extended family to me. There’s such a strong connection; people come back year after year, and you can feel just how much it means to them, which makes it even more special for us on stage. It wouldn’t be the same without a bit of Silly Simon causing chaos!

“With Lisa joining the cast, it’s going to be bigger, funnier and more spectacular than ever, a proper giant of a pantomime that’s packed with laughs from start to finish.”

Martin Dodd, Producer at UK Productions, said: “Casting Lisa George is a huge moment for this production. She brings incredible warmth, talent, and star appeal, and alongside Steve Royle and our outstanding creative team, we are creating a pantomime that will be bigger, brighter and more spectacular than ever. This is Blackpool’s NO.1 Pantomime, and we are determined to raise the bar once again.”

Andrew Howard, Head of Audiences, Marketing and Sales at Blackpool Grand Theatre, said: “Pantomime at the Grand is something truly special, it’s a shared experience that generations of families return to year after year. With Lisa George joining us, and under the direction of Kylie Butler - who was nominated for Best Direction for Cinderella (2025) - this year’s show is shaping up to be extraordinary. It’s everything audiences love about Blackpool, delivered on an even bigger scale.”

Directed by Kylie Butler, whose work on Cinderella (2025) earned a UK Pantomime Award nomination for Best Direction, Jack and the Beanstalk will deliver a bold, high-impact production in which every element, from script to staging, is crafted to create maximum WOW-factor. This is storytelling on a ‘GRAND’ scale, where magic, music, comedy and spectacle combine to create something truly unforgettable.

Silly Simon said: “Oi oi! You don’t wanna be hanging about like a soggy beanstalk leaf on this one! We’ve got dazzling lights, massive dance numbers, a set so big the Giants tried to move in twice, and enough laughs to wake him up from the top of the beanstalk! Honestly, it’s why its Blackpool’s N0.1 Pantomime - it’s huge, it’s bonkers, and it’s going to sell out faster than Jack can flog a cow for some dodgy beans! So, get yourselves to blackpoolgrand.co.uk or ring 01253 290 190 (For Group and School bookings, call 01253 74 32 32 (For Group and School bookings, call 01253 74 32 32) now and grab the best seats… or you’ll be stuck outside shouting ‘Fee-Fi-Fo-FUM… I should’ve booked earlier, mum!’”

Don’t miss your chance to climb the beanstalk and experience Blackpool’s NO.1 Pantomime - Jack and the Beanstalk is set to be the most spectacular yet, so book early and get ready for a truly giant Christmas treat.