Theatre Royal Nottingham unveiled star cast for swashbuckling family pantomime Peter Pan today

Star-studded pantomime launches at Theatre Royal Nottingham

Denise Welch, Paul Chuckle and Steve Hewlett bought some early Christmas cheer to the city ahead of panto season.

Today [Monday 30 September 2024] the Theatre Royal, Nottingham and Crossroads Pantomimes have unveiled some of thestar-studded cast for this year’s swashbuckling pantomime adventure Peter Pan.

The stars appearing at today’s sparkling launch event were TV personality and actress Denise Welch as Captain Hook, alongside comedian Paul Chuckle as Starkey, comedy ventriloquist Steve Hewlett as Smee and theatre stars Kate Stewart as Tink, Molly Farmer as Wendy and Aiden Carson as Peter Pan.

At Christmas, they will be joined by TV Fashionista Gok Wan who will lead the cast as The Magical Merman.

Gok Wan’s TV career started with the overwhelming success of his Channel 4 series, How To Look Good Naked, which proved so successful that a further six series were filmed, as well as three series of Gok’s Fashion Fix. His other recent TV credits include Gok’s Chinese Takeaway for National Geographic, Gok’s Style Secrets, Gok Live: Stripping For Summer, Too Fat Too Young, andGok’s Teens The Naked Truth, Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire for the Discovery channel and Gok Cooks Asian. 

In addition to his sartorial television appearances, Gok has solidified his reputation as a broadcaster, author and chef, most recently adding record-topping DJ to his extensive list of credentials, which saw him release his debut single, a hugely popular cover of Baby D’s Let Me Be Your Fantasy, with Kele Le Roc. Gok remains a regular guest presenter and resident fashion expert for ITV1’s This Morning and various hit television programmes. 

Denise Welch has extensive TV credits including regular roles in Coronation Street, Waterloo Road, Boy Meets Girls, Hollyoaks, Down to Earth, Soldier Soldier, and Spender. Denise has also made appearances in Dead Canny, Benidorm, EastEnders, Inspector George Gently, Born and Bred and The Vice.

Her theatre credits include The Gap (Hope Mill Theatre), Diana: The Musical in Concert (Hammersmith Eventim Apollo), Loose Women Live UK Tour, Calendar Girls UK Tour, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (Royal Exchange Theatre, Steel Magnolias (UK Tour), Smack Family Robinson (Rose Theatre Kingston), The Ancient Secret of Youth and The Five Tibetans (Octagon Theatre Bolton), Grease (Haymarket Theatre Leicester) and Ruby in Yakety Yak at The Astoria.

Paul Chuckle became a household name as part of the legendary double-act The Chuckle Brothers with his beloved brother Barry. Generations have grown up with the catchphrase “to me, to you” made famous by the brothers on the BAFTA award-winning TV show ChuckleVision, which commanded prime time viewing slots for nearly three decades.

Alongside his TV work, Paul is a familiar face in theatres around the country and is one of the most in-demand panto performers in the UK. When not on-stage entertaining, Paul can often be found in some of the UK’s biggest nightclubs as a popular DJ.

Comedy ventriloquist Steve Hewlett won the affection of the nation when he reached the final of the seventh season of Britain’s Got Talent. Since his BGT appearance, Steve has toured extensively, and ahead of joining Nottingham audiences this Christmas, will be touring around the UK entertaining people at festivals, theatre shows, cruise ships and holidaymakers at Butlins and Haven resorts.

Singer/songwriter Kate Stewart’s theatre credits include Snow White in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Molly Farmer’s credits include Wendy in Peter Pan (Bristol Hippodrome), and Aiden Carson’s credits include You and I: A New Song Cycle.

The production is staged by Crossroads Pantomimes, the world’s biggest pantomime producer.

Join Peter Pan and the characters you know and love this Christmas in this swashbuckling panto adventure. This family treat will include all your favourites including Tinker Bell, Wendy, John, and Michael Darling.

With amazing special effects, stunning sets, beautiful costumes and barrel-loads of laughter, Peter Pan will take the whole family on a magical trip to Neverland like never before!

Peter Pan runs from Saturday 7 December 2024 – Sunday 12 January 2025 at Theatre Royal, Nottingham. For more information on performance times and to book tickets, please visit www.trch.co.uk or call the box office on 0115 989 5555