'Chucky’s Solo Panto’ climbs up a beanstalk

After the runaway success of last year’s cheeky take on Beauty and the Beast, Chucky’s Solo Panto is back, this time with a rendition of Jack and The Beanstalk at Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta, promising a riot of drag, satire and X-rated festive mischief.

The one-performer spectacular brings Malta’s iconic drag queen and voice of Love Island Malta, Chucky Bartolo, to centre stage in a whirlwind of characters, costume changes and chaotic energy.

Written and directed by Vikesh Godhwani, known for his Panto in the Dark series and his work on Mid-Djarju ta’ Student fi Skola Tal-Knisja, the production once again leans into the creative glee of the solo panto format.

“This year we are much more aware of the strengths of the solo panto format which means we are having the best time pushing the boundaries of the form,” says Godhwani.

“Without giving too much away, we are using the space in a way I haven’t seen it being used before to create an extra immersive and interactive experience, making the audience feel like they are in the centre of the action.”

If last year’s panto flirted with the idea of adults-only fairytale mayhem, this year’s show cranks the dial far further. Godhwani describes Jack and The Beanstalk as “a full-on action-packed X-rated adventure complete with an outlandish priest, a wicked witch and of course a larger than life giant. It’s absolutely bonkers from start to finish.”

Part of that wildness comes from the story itself. The familiar tale offers simplicity and elasticity, letting the creative team twist it into unexpected corners. But it also comes with a political heartbeat.

“My choice for Jack and The Beanstalk was due to its political undertones so the satire is very much embedded in the story rather than just one-liners here and there,” Godhwani explains. “Our contemporary giants have more power than ever before, and it was my way of going after them in the way only a good panto can.”

Balancing sharp commentary with raucous humour is not something the director overthinks. “It’s not really something I think about but it just comes naturally,” he says.

“This isn’t only because I’ve now written five pantos, performed in three and watched countless others, but because in so much of our lives we use humour to cope during difficult times. As millennials, we’ve seen the world go through so many things during our lifetime that you quickly learn to laugh at the absurdity of things. The alternative is just not feasible.”

For Godhwani, panto is catharsis. “We just sit together in a dark room with strangers and look at all the mess we’ve made, and just laugh and laugh and laugh. It’s communal and cathartic.”

Bartolo, whose irreverent performance style has become a Maltese staple, relishes the challenge.

“It’s always exciting to bring drag to Malta in a new format, pushing the boundaries of traditional entertainment while still taking all the best things about panto to make something completely unique,” Bartolo says. “I am also looking forward to working with Vikesh again as we definitely bring out the best in each other.”

The show’s creative team includes production manager Julia Camilleri, assistant stage manager Karl Azzopardi, lighting designer Andre Micallef, sound designer Aleandro Spiteri Monsigneur, vocal coach Sean Borg, and choreographers Deedee Clark and Nicole Galea, while costumes are created by Bartolo.

The duo bid audiences to expect pop songs, political bite, surprise guests and more camp than one beanstalk should reasonably hold.

Chucky’s Solo Panto – Jack and The Beanstalk runs on December 19- 21 and 26-28 at Spazju Kreattiv, Valletta, with shows at 8pm and a 7pm performance on Sundays. Visit spazjukreattiv.org for tickets and more information. The production is recommended for audiences aged 18 and over. The show is part of Spazju Kreattiv’s programme 2025/2026.