The Jolly Christmas Postman at Lowry: cast announced for Salford Christmas run

The cast of the Christmas season at Lowry. Image: Lowry.

The cast has been announced for The Jolly Christmas Postman, the stage version of Janet and Allan Ahlberg's much loved children's story, which comes to Lowry's Quays Theatre in Salford from 4 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. Tickets are on sale now.

The festive family show is a joint production from Lowry and Royal & Derngate, Northampton, where it had its first run in 2024. It now arrives in Salford for a four week Christmas season.

The cast

Max Bower plays the Jolly Christmas Postman. Caitlin Forbes plays Goldilocks and Humpty, and Joseph Kempster is Baby Bear, the Gingerbread Boy, Rumpelstiltskin and Mr Wolf.

Callum Martin plays Santa and Daddy Bear and is also the onstage musical director, while Katrina Michaels plays Mummy Bear and Little Red Riding Hood. Forbes, Kempster and Michaels also appear as part of the ensemble.

Matthew Eames, head of theatres, contemporary and commissioning at Lowry, said: “We’re delighted to reveal the brilliant cast who will bring The Jolly Christmas Postman to life at Lowry this Christmas. This is a story that has captured the imaginations of generations of children and families, and with such a talented company at its heart, audiences can look forward to a festive adventure full of music, magic and much loved fairytale characters.”

The story

Adapted for the stage by Adam Peck, with original songs by Darren Clark, the show follows the Jolly Postman as he cycles through the snow delivering parcels and letters to familiar friends as they get ready for Christmas. Along the way he calls on Red Riding Hood, Humpty Dumpty and the Gingerbread Man, not forgetting the big, bad wolf. But as the snow keeps falling, who will help him get home in time for Christmas?

Live music, original songs and what the producers call a sprinkling of theatre magic bring the festive classic to life for all ages. The production is presented by arrangement with Penguin Random House UK.

Jesse Jones, artistic director, and Holly Gladwell, deputy chief executive, of Royal & Derngate said: “We’re so pleased to be partnering with Lowry this December to share our joyful and magical Christmas adaptation. Through song and storytelling, we follow our Jolly Postman on his snowy journey, delivering letters, kindness and little moments of joy as he’s welcomed into the cosy homes of friends and acquaintances along the way.”

How long is the show?

It runs for about one hour, with no interval.

Access performances

Several performances during the run have access support:

• Audio described by Caroline Burn: Saturday 19 December at 10.30am, with a touch tour at 9.30am, and Tuesday 29 December at 1pm, with a touch tour at 12pm
• Captioned by GM Theatre Captioners Network: Wednesday 16 December at 1pm
• Relaxed performance: Sunday 27 December at 10.30am
• British Sign Language interpreted by Emma Jane Mansfield: Tuesday 22 December 2026 at 1pm and Saturday 2 January 2027 at 10.30am

Is it on sale yet?

Yes. Lowry confirms that tickets are on sale now for the whole run, from Friday 4 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027.

More to read

Also coming to Lowry this Christmas, read about John Thomson playing Scrooge in the Old Vic Christmas show in Salford.