Peter Pan: The Pantomime Adventure at Cheltenham Playhouse promises to be a magical treat to round off the year, as the whole family is invited to join Peter, Captain Hook and the rest of the crew on a high-flying adventure this Christmas.
This year, the Playhouse is producing its Christmas pantomime completely independently, bringing with it an exciting new challenge for the team. The production will be directed by Theatre Manager Miles Leven, with Playhouse staff and volunteers coming together to create one of the biggest and most-loved events in the theatre’s calendar.
Behind the scenes, preparations are already well underway. We had a fantastic time at our recent photoshoot, capturing a huge range of images of the cast ready for this year’s campaign - keep an eye on our social channels to see the results! More recently, attention has turned to making and preparing costumes ahead of the cast’s first script read-through in October. They’re already looking fantastic, although we have to admit that the mermaid costume might just be our favourite so far!
For the Playhouse, pantomime is much more than a Christmas tradition. It is the theatre’s biggest production of the year and plays an important role in supporting the venue and its work throughout the months that follow.
Miles explains: “Our hope this Christmas is that the panto not only welcomes back audiences who joined us last year and our regular Playhouse patrons, but also introduces the theatre to people who may never have stepped through our doors before."
“We want everyone to have a fantastic time and, when they spot another show that interests them in the future, to already be looking forward to coming back.”
The Playhouse is continuing to develop a broader and more varied programme throughout the year, including more productions for children, young people and families. Pantomime is therefore a brilliant opportunity to introduce audiences to everything else happening at the venue - from visiting productions and family shows to the Cheltenham Fringe Festival in May and the Playhouse’s programme of Heritage Tours throughout the year.
This Christmas, the Playhouse team will be joined by a talented company of local and London-based performers, alongside a children’s ensemble from Theatre Studio and dancers from Morea Performing Arts.
Peter Lavery takes centre stage as the boy who wouldn’t grow up, while panto veteran Johannah Heatherington shows her villainous side as the notorious Captain Hook. Completing the principal cast are Emily Apps as Persil the Mermaid, Mitchell Walsh as Tinkerbell and, returning for his fourth Playhouse pantomime, John Martin Stevens as our fabulous dame, Miss Smee.
So, if you’d like to support Cheltenham Playhouse this Christmas and enjoy a spectacular festive adventure along the way, head to our website and book your tickets for Peter Pan: The Pantomime Adventure. We can’t wait to welcome you!
