Get ready for Yankl and the Beanstalk, a queer Jewish panto for festive theatrical treat. Following its previous outing, Yankl and the Beanstalk returns to Pleasance Islington for an even longer, wetter soak in the brine jar, bringing its saucy brand of adult pantomime back to the stage.
Set in London’s thriving East End in 1890, this unconventional take on Jack and the Beanstalk follows Yankl, a hapless employee at a local pickle factory, whose life is about to get considerably more complicated. When his cousin Milly reaches breaking point over the exploitation of their workers by the nefarious Giant and his on-the-ground accomplice, Lady Mayfair, she decides it’s time for a revolution.
With a workers’ strike brewing just days before Yankl’s Bar Mitzvah, the pair find themselves caught up in a fantastical adventure involving a fistful of magic beans, an outrageous mother, a very big Giant and a fight for workers’ rights. But can Yankl and Milly seize the means of production, defeat their enemies and get home in time for the big ceremony?
Bringing this gloriously chaotic story to life is a five-strong cast of Jewish performers, led by Nay Oliver Murphy as Yankl, following appearances in Britain’s Last Invasion and Our Ghost Drinks Matcha at Etcetera Theatre, as well as Good Grief on Netflix. India Lewis, whose credits include Disney’s Artemis Fowl, takes on the role of firebrand cousin Milly.
Adding a little magic to proceedings is Demii Lee Walker as the Pickle Fairy, whose credits include Disney’s Aladdin, Sky Atlantic’s Sweetpea, The Other Arts Show on Sky Arts and the international tour of Matilda the Musical. Ann Marcuson, known for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button in the West End and at Southwark Playhouse, and The Secret Garden at York Theatre Royal, takes on the deliciously villainous Lady Mayfair.
Completing the line-up is TikTok sensation and stand-up comedian Candy Gigi as pantomime dame Reyzl. At the same time, legendary children’s author and broadcaster Michael Rosen lends his voice to the Giant at the top of the beanstalk.
The production draws inspiration from London’s vibrant Jewish communities at the turn of the century, bringing together the rich cultural, political and social history of the East End with the irreverent spirit of traditional pantomime.
Writer Tamara Micner explains that the idea began with a simple question: what might a Jewish pantomime look like? Reflecting on the often romanticised historical settings of traditional pantos, she began imagining a world that felt more personal and politically meaningful.
Her inspiration was London’s East End between the 1880s and 1950s: a close-knit community living in crowded tenement housing, shaped by waves of newcomers, workers’ movements and campaigns for better conditions. It was also a place alive with Yiddish culture, from cafés, shops and newspapers to theatres, lectures, market stalls and political activism.
Micner wanted to celebrate this world and bring it to life on stage, creating a pantomime rooted in a history and culture that audiences could feel proud of.
The result promises a riotous celebration of Jewish identity, working-class solidarity and queer culture, wrapped in the familiar magic of a festive theatre favourite. Audiences can expect more pickle-based double entendres than you can shake a stick at, enormous pop singalongs in Yiddish and cheeky, camp comedy that will keep the laughs coming long after Christmas.
Balancing traditional pantomime fun with a distinctly contemporary sensibility, Yankl and the Beanstalk turns the festive season into one big, queer, sparkly simcha.
There is also something for younger audiences, with the team presenting a special one-off ‘kosher’ family-friendly performance on Saturday 5 December at 2pm. Offering all the joy, raucous energy and queer Jewish spirit of the original, this version keeps the pickles but leaves out the spice, making it perfect for audiences who want to enjoy the fun together as a family.
Whether you’re coming for the comedy, the culture, the politics or simply the promise of an outrageous amount of pickle-related mischief, Yankl and the Beanstalk is set to put a wonderfully unconventional spin on festive theatre.
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