Miriam Margolyes set to make her panto debut in Poole

Author and actress Miriam Margolyes is set to make her pantomime debut as a cheese loving giant in Poole’s festive performance.

Set to be performed this December in the Poole Lighthouse Theatre, the pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk is also directed by and features CBeebies star Chris Jarvis.

Chris is known for directing the annual CBeebies pantomime from 2021- 2026.

When speaking on Miriam’s role in the panto, Chris said: “It’s not until you hear someone like Miriam delivering your lines that you realise how much of a genius they really are.”

Due to the pantomimes demanding nature, performing two shows a day, Miriam’s role as the giant was pre recorded.

Chris said after the recording session with Miriam, there was something exceptional about her voice work and said that she lifted it off the page in such a way it’s beyond the talent of most people.

The pantomime will star a variety of different characters and push the limits of the classic story.

“There’s a wizard, we go into outer space, we have an extra thread of plot and there’s a lot of difference.” said the director.

The show shines a light on the classic fluidity in panto with Miriam’s character being a male giant, Chris Jarvis playing the iconic panto character of the dame and Sarah Louise Young playing the male flesh creep.

“Gender is fluid in real life but they always have been in panto and that is something we celebrate.”

The pantomime is being shown during the Christmas period from the 10th of December to the 3rd of January.

Visit Poole Lighthouse Theatre’s website to book.