THE honour of kicking off the York pantomime season once more falls to the Rowntree Players, whose production of Jack And The Beanstalk opens on Saturday at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre.

Written and directed by Howard Ella, the show revolves around the Power family, who must not only contend with a hungry Giant, but also face up to the consequences of the summer warm spell that has left them without wind.

The sails on their windmill are not going round, but never fear because Sola Power, Jack’s little brother, has a bean-based plan for wind generation.

The show will feature a principal cast of Claire Horsley as Jack; Leon Thompson as Sola; Graham Smith as Nora; Andy Welch as the Giant; Leni Ella as the Giant’s Wife; Marie-Louise Surgenor as Fleshcreep; Finn Ella as Drool; Craig Jones as King Reg; Sian Davies as Princess Ana; and Gemma MacDonald as the White Witch.

Claire Horsley stars in the title role and also choreographs the show with Ami Carter, while Dan Hield is the musical director and arranger.

As the countdown to opening night gathers pace, What’s On has a word with writer-director Howard Ella.

You’ve chosen a popular show this year in Jack And The Beanstalk, Howard. Can we expect any unusual twists and turns?

“We’ve been faithful to the basic story but there are a few additions. Jack and his family live in a windmill generating power for the national grid, but after such a nice summer, there’s been no wind and no money. So they desperately need to grow food and produce some wind.”

Presumably, that’s where the famous beans come in?

“I couldn’t possibly comment. That would unravel the whole plot.”

So, with a giant, a windmill and a beanstalk as part of the set-up, has it been a challenging show to pull together?

“They always are. We like to push ourselves every year in terms of what we can do for our (small) budget, what we can squeeze into the theatre and what we can make in time. We’ve made more of our own sets and costumes than ever this year.”

Opening night is looming. Is everything ready?

“Well, it’s always a race to the finish line. We’ll still be painting bits of scenery and tweaking the odd line right up to the first show, but it’s always been like that and I can’t see it changing.”

It must add up to plenty of work for a week of performances?

“It’s not just about the performance week. There’s a team of people who spend half of the year working together, improving their performance skills, singing and dancing ability and it’s a valuable opportunity for the young members of the cast to gain experience of being on stage. But the show week is the best bit. You just hit a point where you know everyone’s ready to get into the theatre in front of an audience and start their Christmas with a bang.”

• Rowntree Players present Jack And The Beanstalk at Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, from Saturday to December 14. Performances: Saturday, 2pm and 7.30pm; Sunday, 2pm; Monday to Friday, 7.30pm; next Saturday, 2pm and 7.30pm. Tickets: £8 to £14 on 07927 026071.

• Win tickets

Rowntree Players have a family ticket – two adults, two children – to be won for the December 12 performance of Jack And The Beanstalk.

Simply email your name and phone number to competition@rowntreeplayers.co.uk; the winning name will be drawn out of the electronic hat.