EXCLUSIVE: Students bring giant beanstalk to life for Crewe Lyceum panto

There’s a special collaboration going on between Crewe Engineering & Design UTC and Crewe Lyceum Theatre – and its getting bigger by the day!

A group of students at Crewe Engineering & Design UTC have taken centre stage behind the scenes at the Lyceum, building a towering beanstalk prop for this year’s festive pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk.

The ambitious project, led in partnership by Crewe Lyceum and Crewe UTC, has transformed classrooms into workshops filled with timber, fabric, and dye.

The final creation will be a vibrant green beanstalk stretching from floor to ceiling which will play a starring role in the production.

Starting as a small bush and magically growing on stage in front of your eyes using the engineering tools of creating a scissor lift, a beanstalk will appear. The project has already begun and students have been making their designs and starting to experiment with dye to create the perfect beanstalk green.

Teachers say the project has given students a chance to apply practical skills in engineering and art while contributing to one of Crewe’s most beloved holiday traditions.

A UTC spokesman said: “The beanstalk is central to the story, and thanks to the students involved, audiences will see something truly spectacular. It’s a wonderful example of how theatre can bring the community together.”

Jack and the Beanstalk promises all the traditional pantomime magic; slapstick comedy, audience participation, and larger-than-life characters; with the added thrill of a student-built set piece.

Performances run from Friday 12^th December to Sunday 4^th of January starring Jennifer Ellison, Malcolm Lord and Ste Johnston.

For tickets go to Book Jack and the Beanstalk tickets | Lyceum Theatre Crewe