Leeds’ Jack and the Beanstalk adds a rugby legend for Christmas

Sir Kevin Sinfield stepped into Leeds-based Our House Studio to record a character far removed from the rugby pitch: the booming Giant in Jack and the Beanstalk. The former Leeds Rhinos captain will make his pantomime debut in the Carriageworks Theatre production this festive season.

Dates: Friday 20 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027
Venue: Carriageworks Theatre, Leeds
Audience: Families
Booking: An official event listing is available, but the announcement gives no ticket price, performance time, transport information or accessibility details.

The pantomime is being produced by Carriageworks Theatre in partnership with Paul Holman Associates. Sinfield’s participation was confirmed by Leeds City Council, which said his voice recording will bring the production’s fairytale antagonist to life.

Sinfield’s Giant is a recorded voice role

Sinfield is providing the voice of the Giant rather than being announced for an on-stage appearance. The distinction matters for families booking specifically because of his involvement: audiences will hear the recently knighted rugby league figure as the story’s larger-than-life villain.

The role also gives the production a strong Leeds connection. Sinfield spent his playing career with Leeds Rhinos and later received the freedom of Leeds alongside his friend and former teammate Rob Burrow in 2022.

Sinfield said the city remains a significant part of his personal and professional life. He expects audiences to boo the Giant while enjoying the production over the Christmas period.

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, said Sinfield’s familiar voice would make the pantomime particularly distinctive for local families.

Costumes, music and audience participation

The production promises the traditional components of a family pantomime: colourful costumes, musical numbers and opportunities for the audience to join in. Its story will focus on bravery, family and believing in yourself as Jack confronts the Giant.

Sinfield’s recording adds a locally recognisable voice to that central conflict. His involvement has been framed around the Giant character, while no further cast details are included in the council announcement.

The run covers the weeks leading into Christmas, the school holiday period and the opening weekend of January. Individual performance dates and starting times must still be selected through the theatre’s official listing.

Panto fee donated to an MND charity

Sinfield recorded the part while preparing for his final fundraising challenge in memory of Burrow, who died from motor neurone disease in 2024. The former Leeds Rhinos skipper has raised £11 million for MND charities and is due to complete seven ultra-marathons across seven days in September.

His fee for the pantomime has also been donated to the charity, according to the council’s announcement. That connects the festive role with the fundraising work for which Sinfield has become known beyond rugby league.

Check the performance listing before booking

Families considering the show should consult the Carriageworks Theatre’s official Jack and the Beanstalk listing for available performances and the practical details absent from the announcement. The confirmed production run begins on 20 November and ends on 3 January.

Source: Leeds City Council