Qlocal was invited to the opening night of the Pantomime 'Jack And The Beanstalk' at the Liverpool Empire last night.

With special 3D effects and a wonderful set the show was a sellout.

Even if you dont have kids the Panto is brilliant.

Head judge of Strictly Come Dancing Shirley Ballas makes her Panto debut.

Having danced since the age of seven, Shirley has taken the dancing world by storm. She is three time ‘British Open to the World’ Latin American Champion, ten-time US Latin American Champion, and multiple-times British National Champion.By 21, Shirley had won nearly every major title she competed in worldwide.

She is the only person to have ever won the 'British Open to the World' Latin American Championships in Blackpool with two different partners and reached the finals animpressive 17 times. Shirley still remains the youngest ever female to reach the 'British Open to the World' Dance Championship finals.Since hanging up her competition heels twenty years ago, Shirley has gone on to forge a hugely successful career as one of the top Ballroom and Latin teachers and adjudicators in the world.

She appeared on the hit series Dancing With The Stars (the US version of Strictly), where she gave masterclasses and commentary on the shows. Last year it was announced that Shirley would bring her immense expertise and experience to the judging panel of BBC’s primetime show Strictly Come Dancing as the newly appointed Head Judge.Shirley’s debut on the show was a huge hit with the audiences, and people commended her encouraging feedback to the competing couples, and admired her extensive knowledge of dance.The Wallasey-born‘Queen of Latin’ will star as Mother Nature, and help Jack outwit the evil Giant and win fame, fortune and the hand of the girl he loves.JoiningherasSimpleSimonwillbeJohnEvans,backforasecondyearafterwowingaudienceswithhishilariouscomedyinlastyear’spantomime,Cinderella.John’sclevercomedyhastakenhimacrosstheworld,entertainingtheBritishForcesonanumberofoccasions,aswellasbecomingafirmfavouritewiththeworld’smajorcruiselines.JackandtheBeanstalkwillbestagedbyQdosEntertainment,theworld’sbiggestpantomimeproducer,andthecompanybehindlastyear’sglitteringproductionofCinderella,inanotherproductionpackedfullofsensationaldance,laughoutloudcomedy,specialeffects,audienceparticipationandoutstandingentertainmentfortheatregoersofallages.MichaelHarrison,managingdirectorofQdosEntertainment’spantomimedivisionsaid:“I’mthrilledthatwehavemanagedtotemptShirleyoutfrombehindtheStrictlyjudgingdesktoshowLiverpoolaudiencesjustwhyshe’sconsideredoneoftheworld’sfinestdancers.AlongwithJohn’shilariousroutinesthey’llbeleadingthecompanyofafantasticshowthatwillentertainEmpireaudiencesforanotherfantasticfestiveseason.”
The Liverpool Empire’s Theatre Director, Diane Beldingsaid, “After delivering the most spectacular pantomime in Liverpool last year, we are thrilled that Qdos Entertainment are returning to the Empire again for 2018’s Panto season. Strictly Come Dancing is one of the most popular programmes on television so who better to star in Liverpool’s best pantomime than judge, Shirley Ballas. I’m sure Empire audiences will be as excited as we are to see Shirley returning home to Merseyside and performing live on the Empire stage.John Evans was a firm favourite last year so we’re thrilled he’s returning. He and Shirley aresure to deliver a performance that’s a 10!”Don’t miss your chance to seeJack and the Beanstalk; it’s the panto title audienceshave bean waiting for.

Tickets here