Tag: The Further Adventures Of Peter Pan: The Return Of Captain Hook

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Joe Sleight to play Peter Pan in The Further Adventures Of Peter Pan: The Return Of Captain Cook at Grand Opera House

Joe Sleight’s Peter Pan in the Grand Opera House poster for The Further Adventures Of Peter Pan: The Return Of Captain Hook

WEST End star Joe Sleight will fly high as Peter Pan in the 2026 Grand Opera House pantomime, The Further Adventures Of Peter Pan: The Return Of Captain Hook.

Sleight will take to the York stage from December 5 to January 3 2027 as the boy who never grew up, bringing charm, energy, mischief and theatrical magic to the UK Productions show.

He last appeared at the Cumberland Street theatre as twin brother Eddie Lyons in Blood Brothers in April 2025 and now swaps the emotional power of Willy Russell’s beloved Liverpool musical for the magic, adventure and youthful spirit of Peter Pan. 

Sleight’s theatre credits include: Boq in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre, West End); Roger and 1st Cover Pongo in 101 Dalmatians (Eventim Apollo Hammersmith, West End); Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Middle Temple Hall, London); Rudolph and puppetry director in Rudolph The Reindeer’s Red Nose Roadshow (The Bolton Octagon); The Russian in Chess (Union Theatre, London); Roger in Grease (Yvonne Arnaud Theatre); Benji in Benji The Fish (UK tour) and the international and Chinese tour of JunNk, the percussion musical.

His pantomime roles include: Jack in Jack And The Beanstalk (Aylesbury Waterside Theatre and Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, for UK Productions); Prince Charming in Cinderella (St Helens Theatre Royal; Peter Pan in Peter Pan for Qdos/ Crossroads Entertainment (Dartford Orchard Theatre, Royal & Derngate Theatre, Plymouth Theatre Royal and Wycombe Swan in High Wycombe) and Dandini in Cinderella (Towngate Theatre).

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be returning to York and to the beautiful Grand Opera House after such an unforgettable run as Eddie in Blood Brothers,” says Joe. “York audiences are incredibly special, and I can’t wait to be back on that stage for something completely different, full of magic, mischief and adventure.

Brothers in arms: Joe Sleight’s Eddie Lyons, right, and Sean Jones’s Mickey Johnstone in Blood Brothers, on tour at the Grand Opera House, York, in April 2025. Picture: Jack Merriman

“This time I’m swapping school ties for fairy dust, and stepping into the role of Peter Pan is a real pinch-me moment. It’s a story filled with imagination, heart and the joy of never growing up, and I can’t wait to fly into Neverland with audiences this Christmas. Bring on the magic!”

Sleight joins a blockbuster line-up led by Tom Lister, Emmerdale soap star and musical theatre performer, whose credits include 42nd Street, Calamity Jane and Legally Blonde.

Alongside Lister’s dastardly Captain Hook will be audience favourite Jimmy Bryant, returning as Smee after delighting York audiences as Buttons in last year’s Cinderella, while Nick Jr’s Holly Atterton will bring sass, sparkle and fairy-dust magic as Tinker Bell.

Grand Opera House theatre director Allie Long is thrilled to welcome Sleight back to the York stage. “We can’t wait to see Joe’s Peter Pan,” she says. “I can’t wait to witness all of Peter’s antics as Joe joins Holly, Jimmy and Joe in what is shaping up to be a fantastic ensemble cast for the lucky Grand Opera House York audiences.

“With Joe bringing youthful adventure and high-flying charisma as Peter Pan, Tom bringing villainous swagger, Jimmy bringing comedy gold and Holly adding magical sparkle, this is a cast built to give York families a Christmas panto to remember.” .

UK Productions producer Martin Dodd adds: “We’re thrilled to welcome the brilliant Joe Sleight to the Grand Opera House as our ever-youthful Peter Pan! With bucketloads of charisma and energy, he’s sure to soar to new heights and win hearts along the way. Get your tickets before they fly away!”

To book tickets, go to: atgtickets.com/york.

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Nick Jr’s Holly Atterton is Go! Go! Go! for Tinker Bell role in piratical Grand Opera House panto The Further Adventures Of Peter Pan: The Return Of Captain Hook

Holly Atterton’s Tinker Bell in the poster for The Further Adventures Of Peter Pan: The Return Of Captain Hook

NICK Jr’s Holly Atterton will bring an extra burst of fairy dust to UK Productions’ 2026 pantomime at the Grand Opera House, York, where she will play Tinker Bell in The Further Adventures Of Peter Pan: The Return Of Captain Hook, from December 5 to January 3 2027.

Holly has built her career on music, energy and feel-good family entertainment. Best known for her work with pop group Go!Go!Go!, as seen on Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr channel, she has lit up screens, stages and young imaginations across the country.

Holly has achieved a Top 75 album with Radio Go!Go!Go!, enjoyed two West End runs and toured the UK, crowning that success with a sell-out concert at the O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

All those credits add up to the ideal foundation for her Tinker Bell to deliver festive magic to Neverland. “This season will be my tenth year with UK Productions, and I can’t think of a better place to celebrate my ‘panto-versary’,” says Holly.

“York is a beautiful city that fully embraces everything about the festive season, so I can’t wait to experience the brilliant York audiences and bring some sass and sparkle to the Grand Opera House this Christmas.”

Theatre director Allie Long is delighted to welcome Holly to York. “We’re thrilled to have Holly join the cast of this year’s musical pantomime. We can’t wait to see her skate around the Grand Opera House stage, adding to what will undoubtedly be an unforgettable pantomime season filled with laughter, glee and musical magic.”  

UK Productions producer Martin Dodd says: “We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Holly Atterton. She has the sparkle, charm and cheeky spirit to make a truly magical Tinker Bell. With a wave of fairy dust, she’ll have audiences flying high from the very first scene!

We’ve assembled a fantastic cast that’s sure to be shipshape, and this promises to be one of our biggest and most spectacular pantomimes yet. Second star to the right…and straight to the box office!”

Holly joins a blockbuster Grand Opera House line-up led by Emmerdale star and 42nd Street, Calamity Jane and Legally Blonde musical theatre performer Tom Lister as dastardly Captain Hook. Audience favourite Jimmy Bryant returns as Smee after delighting Grand Opera House audiences as Buttons in last year’s Cinderella.

Tickets are on sale at atgtickets.com/york. 

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Emmerdale bad lad Tom Lister to play Captain Hook in Grand Opera House panto The Further Adventures Of Peter Pan

Tom Lister’s Captain Hook in the poster for The Further Adventures Of Peter Pan: The Return Of Captain Hook

EMMERDALE star Tom Lister is Hooking up with the Grand Opera House to make his York pantomime debut in The Further Adventures Of Peter Pan: The Return Of Captain Hook from December 5 to January 3 2027.

Stage and screen actor Lister, 47, best known for his eight years as bad lad Carl King in the Yorkshire soap from 2004 to 2012, will be in villainous mode anew as Captain Hook, performing alongside the already confirmed comedic returnee Jimmy Bryant as Smee in the UK Productions show.

Born Thomas Brown in Ingleton, Yorkshireman Lister took his mother’s maiden name when turning professional. Since graduating from Birmingham School of Acting in 2001, he has played Harry Wainwright in Heartbeat and Rob Ingram in The Bill, as well as appearing in Doctors and Hollyoaks and taking on the guise of jazz pianist Jamie Cullum on Stars In Their Eyes.

On leaving Emmerdale in October 2012, he played Captain Hook in Peter Pan at the Sundreland Empire that winter and has since branched out into musical theatre as Grimes in the world premiere of Water Babies at Curve, Leicester, in April 2014, subsequently appearing as Wild Bill Hickoc in the 2014 UK tour of Calamity Jane, as well as in 42nd Street in the West End and Legally Blonde The Musical.

He will be on familiar panto terrain once more as Captain Hook this winter, having won the Best Villain prize at the inaugural Great British Pantomime Awards in 2017 for his performance in Peter Pan in the 2016-2017 season at the Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage.

“I’m so excited to be sailing into York this Christmas as Captain Hook,” says Tom. “He’s a role I love, and I swear he gets more wicked and mischievous every year I play him!

“As a Yorkshireman, York is very close to my heart, and I can’t wait to spend Christmas in this beautiful city. I am really looking forward to teaming up with Jimmy Bryant to bring all of the festive magic and mayhem of panto. So come aboard and join us, or you’ll be walking the plank.”

Producer Martin Dodd adds: “We’re delighted that the wonderfully charismatic Tom Lister will be appearing as the deliciously devilish Captain Hook in this year’s pantomime.  Tom brings real star quality to Neverland. Paired with the brilliantly funny Jimmy Bryant as Smee, audiences can expect a perfect storm of comedy, adventure and just a touch of villainous charm.”

The Further Adventures Of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook will run at the Grand Opera House, York, from December 5 to January 3 2027. Box office: atgtickets.com/york.

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Tommy Carmichael to complete hat-trick of “silly-billy” roles in York Theatre Royal pantomime as Muddles in Snow White

Tommy Carmichael in the poster announcing his return to the York Theatre Royal pantomime in Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs

THE funny fixtures are in place for both the 2026-27 York Theatre Royal and Grand Opera House pantomimes.

After Jimmy Bryant was confirmed for a second season in UK Productions’ The Further Adventures Of Peter Pan: The Return Of Captain Hook, playing Smee from December 5 to January 3 at the Cumberland Street theatre, now Tommy Carmichael has signed up for a third winter of daft-lad tomfoolery in Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs at the Theatre Royal.

After starring as ever-cheerful Charlie in Aladdin in 2024 and Jangles in Sleeping Beauty last Christmas, Doncaster-born Carmichael will play Muddles, reuniting once more with regular panto dame  Robin Simpson. 

Tommy Carmichael’s Jangles with panto dame Robin Simpson’s Nurse Nellie in York Theatre Royal’s 2025-26 pantomime Aladdin. Picture: S R Taylor Photography

Now based in Livingston, near Edinburgh, Carmichael has played Timternet in Big Strong Man (national tour), Silly Willy in Robin Hood (The Maltings, Ely), Chief Weasel in The Wind In The Willows (national tour), “Himself” in Big Strong Man (CAST, Doncaster), Buttons in Cinderella (The Maltings, Ely), Queen Of Hearts in Alice In Wonderland (national tour) and Bagheera in The Jungle Book (national tour).

Written by Paul Hendy and directed by Theatre Royal creative director Juliet Forster, Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs will be co-produced with award-winning Evolution Productions, the team behind such York pantomimes as Jack And The Beanstalk, Aladdin and Sleeping Beauty.

Juliet says: “We are delighted to have Tommy back with us for Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs this year! Robin [Simpson] and Tommy have such a fabulous energy and comedic rapport when they’re on stage together and we know audiences will love having them back to bring all the laughs once again.

Tommy Carmichael: Actor and children’s theatre tutor

“Feedback from last year was just so brilliant and we already have performances which are closing to selling out, so it’s never too early to get your tickets.”

Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs will run from December 4 to January 3,  with the promise of “lavish costumes, stunning sets, hilarious jokes and dazzling special effects”.

Family tickets are available for all performances with savings of up to £61 on bookings for four tickets. Box office: 01904 623568 or yorktheatreroyal.co.uk.

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Grand Opera House launches ticket sale for 2026 panto The Further Adventures Of Peter Pan: The Return Of Captain Hook

The Grand Opera House poster for 2026 pantomime The Further Adventures Of Peter Pan: The Return Of Captain Hook

THE Grand Opera House pantomime for next winter will be The Further Adventures Of Peter Pan: The Return Of Captain Hook, setting sail under UK Productions livery in York from December 5 2026 to January 3 2027.

Join Peter Pan, Hook, Smee, Tinker Bell, Emily Darling and Ethel the Mermaid on a new adventure full of audience interaction, flying effects, giggles galore and a snappy crocodile.

Life has been smooth sailing for Peter Pan since he defeated Captain Hook, or so he thought. Whispers are spreading that the notorious Hook survived those stormy seas and is out for revenge. Could it be true? Watch out…he might be right behind you in this action-packed adventure.

“Get ready for gravity-defying flying scenes, stunning choreography and mind- blowing special effects that will leave you gasping,” says the Grand Opera House show announcement. “Pirate sword fights, crocodile chases and jaw-dropping stunts bring Neverland to life like you’ve never seen before!

“Bursting with hilarious jokes, show-stopping songs and non-stop action, this is the pantomime event of the year – and you won’t want to miss it.”

Star casting will be announced, but for early birds who want the worm, tickets go on sale today for ATG+ card holders and general sale on Tuesday at agtickets.com/york. The early bird offer will run until February 1. 

THE Grand Opera House pantomime for next winter will be The Further Adventures Of Peter Pan: The Return Of Captain Hook, setting sail in York from December 5 2026 to January 3 2027.

Join Peter Pan, Hook, Smee, Tinker Bell, Emily Darling and Ethel the Mermaid on a new adventure full of audience interaction, flying effects, giggles galore and a snappy crocodile.

Life has been smooth sailing for Peter Pan since he defeated Captain Hook, or so he thought. Whispers are spreading that the notorious Hook survived those stormy seas and is out for revenge. Could it be true? Watch out…he might be right behind you in this action-packed adventure.

“Get ready for gravity-defying flying scenes, stunning choreography and mind- blowing special effects that will leave you gasping,” says the Grand Opera House show announcement. “Pirate sword fights, crocodile chases and jaw-dropping stunts bring Neverland to life like you’ve never seen before!

“Bursting with hilarious jokes, show-stopping songs and non-stop action, this is the pantomime event of the year – and you won’t want to miss it.”

Star casting will be announced but for early birds who want the worm, tickets go on sale today for ATG+ card holders and general sale on Tuesday at agtickets.com/york. The early bird offer will run until February 1. 

Musical actor Bradley Judge heads from Leeds to York to play Dandini in Cinderella

Bradley Judge

LEEDS lad Bradley Judge completes the Grand Opera House principal cast for Cinderella at the Grand Opera House, York, in the role of Dandini. 

Bradley has wowed audiences in the West End and on the regional circuit in Sister Act, Hairspray, Joseph And the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Grease and pantomimes such as Aladdin.

Bradley says: “I’m delighted to be appearing at the Grand Opera House over the festive period as Dandini in the fabulous Cinderella!  As a Yorkshire lad, performing so close to home gives me so much joy and pride. Let’s have a reet good Yorkshire Christmas!”

Judge is performing in Ellis Kerkhoven’s star-studded by Lisa George (Coronation Street) as Fairy Godmother, Tobias Turley (ITV’s Mamma Mia I Have A Dream) as Prince Charming, and West End actress Rachel Grundy (Rocky Horror Picture Show, Legally Blonde and Starlight Express) as Cinderella.

Bringing the mayhem are West End drag duo Luke Attwood and Brandon Nicholson as naughty Ugly Sisters Harmony and Melody Hard-Up, joined in the comedy corner by Jimmy Bryant’s Buttons.

Cinderella runs until Sunday, January 4 2026. Box office: atgtickets.com/york. Box office: atgtickets.com/york.

Director Ellis Kerkhoven: back story

AWARD-WINNING theatre director, writer and lyricist. After graduating from Guildford School of Acting, he has built a vibrant career across traditional and immersive theatre, committed to developing his passion for collaborative, ensemble-based theatre making.

Credits include: co-stage director and creative direction for Opening Ceremony of Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo; associate director, resident director and performance-capture director for Disney – The Castle (Riyadh Season, Saudi Arabia); director & script adaptor of ETTIE award-winning and OFFIE-nominated new musical Stranger Sings! (Southwark Playhouse, The Vaults, London & UK Tour).

Pantomime direction & dramaturgy includes: Beauty And The Beast and Jack And The Beanstalk (co-director, Hereford Courtyard – Best Direction winner and Best Script nominations at British Panto Awards).

Collaborations with Singapore Repertory Theatre: Charlotte’s Web (Straits Times Award nomination for Best Play); Nursery Crimes and Playmakers.

For more than a decade, he has written and directed large-scale, original musicals for British Youth Music Theatre, nurturing the next generation of performers and creatives. Credits include: Nightshade, The Midnight Flower Press, ALICE In Wanderlust and Maelstrom – Legends Of The Underworld.

“I am delighted to be directing Cinderella this year here in York,” he says.