Currently, Benjamin Yates is playing Jack Trot in Jack and the Beanstalk at Bristol Hippodrome, having played the role last year in Wimbledon, and he works with Ashlyn Weekes as Princess Jill, Richard Cadell as Silly Simon, Charlie Brooks as Mrs Blunderbore, Will Young as Spirit of the Beanstalk and Andy Ford as Farmer Trot, with the pantomime running until Sunday 4th January 2026. Previous theatre projects for Benjamin include playing The Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz on tour and in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys at Trafalgar Theatre in the West End as part of The Four Seasons, being in the closing cast of School of Rock in the West End as Ensemble and cover Theo, and playing Mungojerrie in CATS. Also having experience on screen, Benjamin recently filmed a commercial with Kiera Knightley. Catching up with Benjamin, we found out from him about starring as Jack Trot in Jack and the Beanstalk at Bristol Hippodrome, his time as The Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz UK Tour and in the West End and performing as Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys.

What are you looking forward to for continuing your run in Jack and the Beanstalk at Bristol Hippodrome over Christmas?

Performing at the Bristol Hippodrome over Christmas is a big thrill. It’s an incredible theatre with amazing audiences. Panto at Christmas is hard to beat, and I can’t wait for the buzz, the laughs and the festive chaos every night.

You are returning to the character of Jack, having played the role last year in Wimbledon, what is Jack Trot like to play and what can audiences expect from your portrayal?

Jack’s cheeky, optimistic and a bit reckless, but he’s got a good heart. He’s great fun to play, with lots of energy, audience interaction and mischief. Expect a Jack who dives headfirst into the adventure and brings plenty of laughs along the way.

How has it been reading this year’s script and meeting your fellow cast members including Ashlyn Weekes (Princess Jill), Will Young (Spirit of the Beans), Charlie Brooks (Mrs Blunderbore), Richard Cadell (Silly Simon) and Andy Ford (Farmer Trot) for the first time?

The script is sharp, funny and full of surprises. Meeting the cast has been brilliant. There’s a great mix of energy and experience, and it already feels like a really strong team. I think audiences are in for something special.

What do you love about pantomime, and how is it different from other theatre productions?

The audience. No two shows are the same and that keeps it exciting. Panto is more playful and spontaneous than most theatre. It’s fast, fun and completely alive every night.

How was it getting into character as The Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz and what was it like telling the story?

Getting into The Scarecrow was pure fun. It’s physical, playful and full of heart. It’s such a loved story, and telling it live every night with audiences of all ages was really special.

What did you enjoy most about touring, and how was it taking the show to the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre?

Touring was amazing, with different audiences and different energy every week. Bringing the show into the Gillian Lynne Theatre felt like a real moment, especially seeing how the production grew and landed in the West End.

How did you find the experience taking on the role of Tommy DeVito in Jersey Boys at the Trafalgar Theatre and working with your fellow The Four Seasons band members?

Tommy’s a big, bold character and great to get your teeth into. Working with The Four Seasons was brilliant. That bond on stage is everything, and it made the show electric.

How was performing the Jersey Boys soundtrack, and did you have a favourite song?

The music is iconic and never gets old. Oh, What a Night is hard to beat. The audience reaction is unreal every time.

What was it like being part of the closing West End cast of School of Rock at the Gillian Lynne Theatre as Ensemble and cover Theo?

It was really special. Being there at the end of that run felt like closing a chapter, and covering Theo kept things fresh and challenging.

Having worked on many other projects over the years, what are some of your further career highlights?

Playing Mungojerrie in CATS, covering Fiyero in Wicked, Riff in West Side Story, and being part of Jesus Christ Superstar in arenas were all massive moments for me.

Can you tell us about your screen work?

Screen has been a really exciting contrast to theatre. Most recently, I filmed The Perfect Gift ad alongside Keira Knightley, which was an incredible experience, and working with Molly Manner, who directed One Day for Netflix, was genuinely inspiring. Being on set with creatives of that calibre pushed me in new ways and made me even more excited to keep developing my screen career.

Where did your love of performing start?

I’ve always loved music and storytelling. Once I started performing, I was hooked. It felt like where I was meant to be.

What are some of your favourite theatre shows to watch and what would you like to do one day?

I love watching high-energy, music-led shows. I’d love to tackle something totally different down the line, a role that really flips expectations.

How do you like to spend your free time?

Catching up with friends, staying active, listening to music and switching off whenever I can.

What are you hoping 2026 brings for your career?

I’m hoping 2026 brings more screen work, and I’d love the chance to do a play and explore some original writing as well. I’m keen to keep challenging myself, try new things and develop work that feels fresh and personal.

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