The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan: Full Cast Revealed for St Helens Theatre Royal's Christmas Spectacular

Christmas may still be months away, but the festive season is already taking shape in the North West as St Helens Theatre Royal has unveiled the complete cast for its 2026 Christmas spectacular. The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan promises to deliver a high-flying festive treat for families, with a star-studded line-up that blends beloved TV personalities with talented stage performers.

Presented by Regal Entertainments Ltd, the production will run from Saturday 28 November 2026 to Sunday 10 January 2027, with tickets starting from just £20. For pantomime fans looking for an affordable and entertaining Christmas outing, this one is shaping up to be a real crowd-pleaser.

TV Stars Take Centre Stage

Leading the cast in the role of the dastardly Captain Hook is Mark Labbett, known to millions as 'The Beast' from ITV's hit quiz show The Chase. Labbett has been a fixture on the show since 2009 and went on to become the sole Chaser on the American version in 2013 before joining the Australian edition three years later. His television career stretches back even further, with an appearance as a contestant on Mastermind in 1999. Since then he has popped up on a remarkable range of programmes including Countdown, Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, Only Connect, and University Challenge. More recently, viewers will have seen him in The Chasers' Road Trip and The Chase Around the World.

Joining Labbett in the role of Tinkerbell is Strictly Come Dancing star Flavia Cacace. Born in Italy and raised in Britain, Cacace began dancing at a young age and forged a celebrated 25-year dance partnership with Vincent Simone from 1995 onwards. Together, the pair won numerous UK and international competitions. Cacace spent eight years as a professional dancer on Strictly, becoming a household name in the process. Her pantomime credentials are equally impressive: she has previously performed in Snow White at the London Palladium and Jack and the Beanstalk at the Worthing Pavilion.

A Talented Ensemble Cast

Taking on the title role of Peter Pan is Connor Darren James, who will be making his St Helens panto debut this Christmas. A graduate of the prestigious East 15 Acting School, where he studied acting and physical theatre, James brings a strong background in physical performance that should serve the flying sequences well. His stage credits include Zach in The Engagement Party at Oldham Coliseum, Sean in Innit the Musical at the Lowry, and Oskar in Let the Right One In. He has also appeared in the film Goodbye St Christopher.

Playing Wendy is Lauren McCrory, who is no stranger to St Helens Theatre Royal audiences. McCrory previously appeared on the same stage as Princess Jill in Jack and the Beanstalk, and her credits for Regal Entertainments include Beauty in Beauty and the Beast and, fittingly, a previous turn as Wendy in Peter Pan. She has also taken on the role of Cinderella at the ODEON Liverpool, demonstrating her versatility across a range of classic panto heroines.

Rounding out the announced cast are two St Helens pantomime favourites: Lewis Devine and Richard Aucott. Devine, who will play Smee, has become a beloved figure at the venue, with recent roles including Muddles in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Simple Simon in Jack and the Beanstalk, and Idle Jack in Dick Whittington. Aucott is equally well known to local audiences, and the pair's return will be welcomed by families who have made the St Helens panto an annual tradition.

Why Pantomime Still Matters

In an era of streaming services and digital entertainment, pantomime remains one of the most resilient forms of live theatre in Britain. For many families, an annual trip to the panto is their primary engagement with live performance, and productions like The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan play a vital role in introducing younger audiences to the magic of theatre. The combination of audience participation, slapstick comedy, spectacular visual effects, and well-known stories creates an experience that simply cannot be replicated on a screen.

Regional theatres like St Helens Theatre Royal are particularly important in this regard. While West End pantomimes and large-scale touring productions attract considerable attention, it is the local and regional pantos that form the backbone of the tradition. They offer accessibility both in terms of geography and price, ensuring that live theatre remains something that communities across the country can enjoy.

Peter Pan: A Pantomime Natural

The story of Peter Pan has been a pantomime staple for well over a century. J.M. Barrie's tale of the boy who never grows up, with its mixture of adventure, comedy, and a memorably villainous antagonist in Captain Hook, lends itself perfectly to the panto format. The flying sequences provide a genuine sense of theatrical spectacle, while the Neverland setting opens up possibilities for imaginative set design and colourful costumes.

The casting of Mark Labbett as Captain Hook is a particularly inspired choice. The role calls for a larger-than-life personality who can command the stage while playing up the comedy of the character's constant defeats. Labbett's imposing presence and sharp wit, honed through years of live television, should translate well to the booing and hissing that every good panto villain must endure. Meanwhile, Flavia Cacace's grace and poise as Tinkerbell will add a touch of elegance and genuine movement expertise to the production.

Practical Information for Theatregoers

The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan runs at St Helens Theatre Royal from 28 November 2026 to 10 January 2027. The extended run, which spans more than six weeks, offers plenty of opportunities for families to find a performance that suits their schedule, including during the school holidays.

Tickets are priced from £20, making this one of the more affordable Christmas theatre options in the North West. Given the popularity of St Helens' annual pantomime and the drawing power of this year's celebrity cast, early booking is advisable to secure the best seats and preferred performance dates.

For those looking for other festive theatre options, there are plenty of Christmas shows and family-friendly productions to explore across the UK this winter season.

Should You Book?

If you are in the North West and looking for a Christmas treat that combines genuine star power with the warmth and humour of traditional pantomime, The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan at St Helens Theatre Royal looks like a strong bet. The combination of a well-known story, a cast led by recognisable TV faces, and the reliable entertainment value of the Regal Entertainments panto formula should make for an enjoyable outing for audiences of all ages.

The fact that Lewis Devine and Richard Aucott are returning will reassure regular St Helens panto-goers that the heart and soul of the venue's festive tradition remains intact, while the addition of Labbett and Cacace brings fresh excitement and broader appeal.

Browse our full range of shows and productions across the UK, or explore more family-friendly theatre options for your next outing. For the latest theatre news and announcements, keep checking our news and features page.