With a fee-fi-fo-fum, Spare Parts Puppet Theatre stomps into winter with Beanstalk a giant-sized twist on the classic tale, Jack and the Beanstalk. The hilarious comedy runs from July 5 to 19 at the Ellie Eaton Theatre, Claremont Showground, followed by a national tour from August to November, 2025.
Written and performed by Perth comedy icon Sam Longley, Beanstalk was first presented in 2021 and received Best Mainstage Production at the Performing Arts Awards of Western Australia (PAAWA). This award-winning show flips the fairytale on its head, telling the story from the giant’s perspective and revealing the truth about that rascal Jack who loved to raid the giant’s kitchen in the sky.
Standing over two metres tall, Longley is perfectly cast as Brian, the misunderstood giant who has a bone to pick (but not grind!) with Jack and his pantry-raiding escapades. Far from the villain he’s made out to be, Brian is a gentle giant with a green thumb and a serious love of cooking – and he’s finally ready to set the record straight.
Artistic Director of Spare Parts Puppet Theatre, Philip Mitchell, recently awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Performing Arts Awards of WA, said that Beanstalk is a playful comic retelling that upends preconceptions and delivers a timely message about getting all the facts before making up your mind.
“There’s always another side to any story and, through a very funny role reversal and lots of rambunctious vegetable characters, Beanstalk celebrates Brian’s story of difference, tolerance, and resilience—all served up with big belly laughs and a giant scoop of charm,” he said.
Step into the Brian’s magical kitchen in the sky, where he cooks up fluffy clouds with a bit of science and a bit of magic. With a lively, very chatty cast of puppets — made of fruit, veggies and loaves of bread — Brian’s adventures are brought to life by award-winning designer Bryan Woltjen, with a magical, Disney-like design, and an atmospheric, lively score by composer Lee Buddle.
“Join us for a gigantic belly laugh with Sam this winter,” said Mitchell, “and discover what really happened that day Jack barged into the kitchen in the sky.”
Perfect for ages five and up, this 50-minute show is the ultimate family outing during the winter school holidays. The season runs from July 5 to 19 at the Ellie Eaton Theatre, Claremont Showground (Gate 1). Shows are Monday to Saturday at 10am and 1pm.
Tickets for Beanstalk are available here.
Beanstalk will embark on a 17 venue national tour from August – November. See this magical show before it delights audiences Australia wide.
All media enquiries to
John Michael Swinbank 0414 743 418 media@sppt.com.au
CREDITS
Performer: Sam Longley
Director: Philip Mitchell
Writer: Sam Longley
Designer: Bryan Woltjen
Puppet Maker: Jackson Harrison
Composer: Lee Buddle
Lighting Designer: Kristie Smith
Costume: Nora Stelter
Set Electrics: Steve Berrick
Stage Manager: Holland Brooks
NATIONAL TOURING DATES
Cairns Performing Arts Centre: 16th August
Cooktown Events Centre: 22nd August
Gladstone Entertainment Centre: 27th August
Redland PAC, Cleveland: 23rd September
HOTA, Home of the Arts, Surfers Paradise: 25 & 26 September 2025
Jetty Memorial Theatre, Coffs Harbour: 8th October
The Wedge PAC, Sale: 13th & 14th October
Paranaple Arts Centre, Devonport: 23rd October
Orange Civic Theatre, Orange: 29th & 30th October
The Arts House, Wyong: 11th & 12th November
Manning Entertainment Centre, Taree: 19th November
Capitol Theatre, Tamworth: 21st November
