Royal & Derngate’s pantomime cast brought a touch of early Christmas magic to town today (Monday) as they officially launched The All New Adventures of Peter Pan, this year’s spectacular family show. The cast had a chance to gather together for the first time, meet the team at the theatre and get some sparkling publicity shots.
Actor, writer and comedian John Thomson and CBeebies presenter George Webster head up the cast.
Award-winning actor, writer, comedian and presenter John Thomson will take the role of Captain Hook. Perhaps best known for the ITV series Cold Feet, John has been at the forefront of British television, film and theatre for over three decades. Having started his career voicing puppets on Spitting Image, he won the Perrier Award with Steve Coogan in 1992 and has starred in many TV shows including Men Behaving Badly, Coronation Street, Waterloo Road and The Fast Show.
CBeebies star George Webster will be joining the pirate crew as Starkey. Winner of Best Presenter at BAFTA’s Children’s Awards in 2022, George is also an actor, writer and dancer (competing in in the 2022 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special), and an ambassador for people with Down Syndrome.
Following his appearance as Ugly Sister Aldianna in 2024’s Cinderella, seasoned pantomime performer Gordon Cooper returns to co-direct and play the part of the Dame Dolly.
Also at the launch were Simone Robinson (currently touring with The Lightning Thief – The Percy Jackson Musical) who will be playing Myrtle and Wendy Darling, Oliver Scott who plays Smee and Northampton local David Breeds who takes the title role of Peter Pan. Millie Davies will join the cast as Elizabeth Darling.
Building on the success of last year’s smash hit Cinderella, which won for Best Choreography in the UK Pantomime Awards, Royal & Derngate are pleased to be continuing their ongoing partnership with pantomime producers Evolution Productions. A family business, run by husband and wife Paul Hendy and Emily Wood, Evolution are delighted to have won ‘Pantomime of the Year’ at the UK Pantomime Awards in 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2025. Paul also won ‘Best Script’ for Aladdin in 2024.
Jo Gordon, Chief Executive at Royal & Derngate, said: “It’s wonderful to have the chance to meet some of our pantomime cast today. We’re delighted to have a great cast and company coming together for what is always a such a magical time of year. This new version of the Peter Pan story promises to make a fantastic festive outing for all ages – and it’s always a joy to welcome so many families and children into our spaces for what can often be a young person’s very first taste of theatre!”
Written by Paul Hendy and co-directed by Emily Wood, The All New Adventures of Peter Pan promises to be spectacular, top quality entertainment, with lavish sets, hilarious jokes and fun for all the family.
Emily Wood added: “We are so excited to bring The All New Adventures of Peter Pan to Northampton this year. We have all the brilliant classic pantomime elements: a beastly baddie, a heroic heroine, amazing dance routines and side-splitting comedy. But this time with the iconic, much-loved characters of Captain Hook and Peter Pan, not to mention, fairies, pirates and mermaids! The All New Adventures of Peter Pan really does have something for everyone and it promises to be unmissable family fun this Christmas.”
The All New Adventures of Peter Pan will run from Friday 5 to Wednesday 31 December 2025. For more information and to book tickets, go to www.royalandderngate.co.uk or call Box Office on 01604 624811. A range of access enhanced performances are available, including Relaxed, BSL Interpreted, Captioned and Audio-Described performances.
