Review: Luton Library Theatre’s Schools’ pantomime makes us proud to be Lutonian (Oh yes it does!)
Hosting its first-ever schools’ pantomime, Luton Creative Community, the volunteer group running Luton Library Theatre, welcomed hundreds of local pupils this week for a rollicking performance of Jack and the Beanstalk, and the result was nothing short of a giant-sized success!
The show featured a stellar cast of local actors and actresses, including several who were proudly Luton-educated. For them, stepping onstage wasn’t just performing—it was a homecoming and judging by the cheers, giggles, and collective gasp when the beanstalk “grew,” they will have inspired more Lutonians to follow in their footsteps!
Pantomime, with all its glorious nonsense—booing villains, cross-dressing dames, and jokes that make teachers laugh for very different reasons than the kids—is one of Britain’s most cherished theatrical traditions. Yet, for many children, this was their first brush with the magic. In an era of digital everything, a live “Oh no it isn’t!” echoing across a theatre felt refreshingly analogue and totally unforgettable.
The show didn’t just introduce pupils to panto; it connected them to the heritage of live theatre, and more importantly, to their local theatre. In previous years, schools had been driving to other towns but a new tradition has now begun and that may be the greatest triumph of all.
Beyond the laughter and the colourful chaos, the production lovingly rooted a new generation in the story of pantomime and nurtured an affection for a venue that has been a cultural cornerstone of Luton for decades, returned to its former glory by a fantastic group of volunteers with a passion for our town and theatre.
By the end of the two-week run, more than 3000 local pupils would have seen the show!
If this year’s schools’ panto is anything to go by, the future of both local theatre and tall, leafy plants is looking very bright indeed. And in the wise words of panto: “We’ll have to do it again then, won’t we?”