PETER PAN Panto Flies In To St Helens This Christmas

Christmas came early this week at the press launch for Regal Entertainments' panto Peter Pan, which comes to St Helens Theatre Royal from Saturday 8 December 2018 - Sunday 13 January 2019.

The paparazzi were out in full force to snap this year's all-star cast at the lunchtime launch, which took place at The Shankly Hotel Liverpool.

Press and guests were whisked off to Neverland and greeted with mince pies and mulled wine upon arrival to set the yuletide mood, before The Guide's Jay Hynd and Kate Reilly James hosting the event started off proceedings by introducing the full cast.

Leading this year's all-star cast, Coronation Street and Brookside's Louis Emerick is guaranteed to have audiences hooked as Captain Hook, plus special guest star, Strictly Come Dancing's Kristina Rihanoff will appear as the loveable Tinker Bell.

The full cast also includes Lewis Devine; Georgina Parkinson; Abigail Middleton; and Si Foster.

Best known for his portrayal of Mick Johnson in the Channel 4 soap opera Brookside and his recurring role of PC Walsh in Last of the Summer Wine, Liverpool born Louis Emerick is no stranger to the St Helens stage after appearing in the 2013 production of The Ciggie Run. Louis plays series regular Herman in UKTV's Zapped, which returns for a third series this Autumn, and recently joined the cast of Coronation Street as Mike Thornberry, a role which he will be reprising this November.

A highly accomplished and critically acclaimed stage actor his other theatre credits include A Little Pinch of Chilli (Liverpool Everyman), On the Ledge (Royal Court, Liverpool) and Elf the Musical (Theatre Royal, Plymouth & The Lowry, Salford). He is also touring the UK playing Horse in the current National Tour of the smash hit stage show The Full Monty.

Waltzing onto the stage is BBC's Strictly Come Dancing star, Kristina Rihanoff who will be spreading glamour and fairy dust in her role as Tinker Bell.

A world finalist professional ballroom dancer, instructor and choreographer, she joined BBC's Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer from 2008-2015, reaching the final in 2011 with actor and singer Jason Donavan and again in 2014 with singer Simon Webbe. She visited the Theatre Royal earlier this year as part of her UK tour Dance To The Music.

After causing mayhem aplenty last Christmas as Muddles, and as Buttons in Easter's Cinderella, St Helens favorite Lewis Devine will be flying high as he stars as the boy who never grew up - Peter Pan.

She found her Prince Charming in Easter's Cinderella and now the delightful Georgina Parkinson returns to the Theatre Royal stage as Wendy Darling. Her other theatre credits include the UK and Ireland tours of Billy Elliot, Shrek The Musical and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

As Tiger Lily is new cast addition Abigail Middleton, and of course, no St Helens Theatre Royal panto would be complete without its resident dame, the hilarious Si Foster will be up to his usual comedy capers as Mrs Smee.

Throughout the afternoon guests got to hear from the cast during a Q+A, with a first glimpse as to what to expect from Regal Entertainments' swashbuckling, pan-tastic show which sets sail for the Theatre Royal this festive season.

Chantelle Nolan, Theatre Manager said: "It was brilliant to bring all the cast together for the first time this week; it has made us all the more excited for the show! We are officially on the countdown to Christmas now, with just 10 weeks to go until we open!

"We have a spectacular show for audiences this year as we whisk them off to Neverland. There will be sensational flying scenes, as well as the return of an all-new 3D interactive scene which proved a huge hit with audiences last year. So be sure to join us at St Helens Theatre Royal this Christmas!"

With a sprinkling of fairy dust get ready to join Wendy, John and Michael as they leave St Helens behind, flying past the second star to the right and straight to Neverland, to enjoy daring adventures battling the evil Captain Hook and his hapless henchman.

The action will once again jump right off the stage - get ready to be amazed with the welcome return of the magical interactive 3D scene, which proved to be a highlight for audiences during last year's production of Snow White.

Get set to go on a swashbuckling adventure full of Pirates, Fairies, Lost Boys, Indians, and of course one tick-tocking crocodile, in this timeless classic tale about the Boy Who Never Grew Up.

Peter Pan runs from Saturday 8nd December 2018 - Sunday 13th January 2019 and tickets are on sale now! Be sure to book early to avoid disappointment.

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