Martin Compston To Feature In Beacon Pantomime

Greenock actor Martin Compston has landed a 'giant' role in Inverclyde’s annual pantomime this Christmas.

The Line of Duty star is to voice the giant Greedy Guts in Beacon Arts Centre production of Jack and the Beanstalk.

He popped into the Greenock venue last month to record the part and his voice will be behind the Giant Greedy Guts on the Beacon stage throughout this month. 

Compston, who grew up in the area, says he has always wanted to be part of the much-loved pantomime and while he is unable to appear on stage himself, he is thrilled to lend his vocal talents to bring the giant to life.

Martin Compston, said: “I’ve played a wide variety of roles over the years, but the request from the Beacon Arts Centre to become the voice of Giant Greedy Guts was one I just couldn’t resist.

“Being born and brought up in Greenock, I know what a brilliant panto the Beacon puts on for everyone in Inverclyde, and for most kids it is their first taste of theatre.

“I hope I can add a touch of Greenock magic to Jack and the Beanstalk and can’t wait to hear how it goes down with the audience.”

He completes a star line-up which includes Still Game favourites Jane McCarry and Mark Cox, River City’s Jimmy Chisholm and Inverclyde favourite Lee Samuel.

Shannon Swan and Sam Willison also star in the show, which puts a fun-filled and local spin on the traditional fairytale.

Marco Rebecchi and Martin Compston

Audience members will be transported to the magical land of Inverstrone, where the giant Greedy Guts plans to destroy the Kingdom of Inverstrone if Dame Trot doesn’t give him her precious cow.

The show is produced in-house by the Beacon and 2023 was a record-breaking year for the show, with more than 17,500 audience members coming to see the show, and drawing rave reviews from critics across the country.

Beacon co-director Karen Townsend said: “Martin is a giant of the Scottish screen so lending his voice to our giant here at the Beacon is a perfect match.

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome him to our Beacon panto team, and we are so excited to share the show with audiences when the curtain goes up.

“We are rightly proud of all our cast, crew and the Beacon team for putting on such a great show and it promises to be a fun-filled night for all the family.”

The 2024 run gets underway on Saturday, December 7, and there will be multiple performances running over the festival period until Hogmanay.

Bowman Rebecchi is a proud sponsor of this year’s pantomime, continuing its long-term relationship with the Beacon Arts Centre.

Speaking of the new sponsorship, Andrew Bowman, Director at Bowman Rebecchi said: “The quality and calibre of the cast and production by the Beacon over the past few years in particular has been superb and we can proudly say we have a national calibre production right here in Inverclyde.

“With 17,500 tickets sold last year alone, it is clear to see the rising popularity of the pantomime, which provides Bowman Rebecchi a superb opportunity to raise our profile with the attendees through this unique sponsorship.

“We look forward to this year’s show and wish all of the cast and crew every success for Jack and the Beanstalk.”

Tickets are on sale now, with customers able to book for last year’s prices for a limited time here.