Dick Whittington takes to the stage at St Helens Theatre Royal

St Helens Theatre Royal Christmas Pantomine, Dick Whittington, is on now!

St Helens’ stunning seasonal show is now open, and audiences are being promised an unforgettable festive treat.

Dick Whittington dazzled theatregoers on its opening weekend at St Helens Theatre Royal, with the lavish all-singing, all-dancing production enchanting young and old alike.

Emmerdale’s Matthew Wolfenden plays the title role in the Regal Entertainments Ltd pantomime which now runs until Sunday 11 January 2026.

And he is joined on stage by St Helens’ favourites Lewis Devine as Idle Jack and Timothy Lucas as baddie King Rat, along with the talented Chantelle Morgan as Alice Fitzwarren, Rachael Wood as Fairy Bow Bells, Jenna Sian O’Hara as Dick’s cat Tommi and Richard Aucott who plays Felicity Fitzwarren.

This Christmas is the first time in Regal Entertainments’ 25-year history that it has staged the story of Dick Whittington, and it has refreshed and revived the much-loved story to create a vibrant, fast-paced family-friendly spectacular.

Alongside the glittering scenery and fabulous costumes St Helens audiences have come to expect, the show is also features incredible new West End-inspired 3D technology which takes viewers on an amazing underwater adventure.

When poor-but-ambitious young Dick Whittington hears the streets of London are paved with gold, he sets off from his Emmerdale Yorkshire Dales home accompanied only by his loyal cat Tommi.

There in the big city he is befriended by a magical fairy, falls for Alice the beautiful daughter of big-hearted businesswoman Felicity Fitzwarren, and does battle with the villainous King Rat. Will our hero find his fortune and live happily ever after with his true love? Or will the dastardly King Rat and his gang succeed in foiling his dreams?

Matthew Wolfenden is making his St Helens Theatre Royal debut in the title role. Matthew is best known for his iconic and long-running portrayal of David Metcalfe in Emmerdale, a role that has captured the hearts of audiences from 2006 to 2024. As the charming shopkeeper David became one of the show’s most beloved characters, earning Matthew multiple nominations for Best Actor, Funniest Male and Best Serial Drama Performance at the National Television Awards, British Soap Awards and TV Choice Awards among others.

His other television credits include The Good Ship Murder, Hollyoaks and Courtroom.

Matthew’s stage credits include Sex, Chips and Rock ‘n’ Roll at Manchester’s Royal Exchange, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (National Theatre), Godspell (Square Chapel Theatre) and a national tour of Saturday Night Fever. Most recently he has starred as Buddy in the hit musical comedy Elf at London’s Dominion Theatre.

Lewis Devine plays Idle Jack. Lewis is no stranger to St Helens’ audiences as the theatre’s much-loved resident comic. He played Muddles in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs last Christmas, while his other roles for Regal Entertainments include Silly Billy in Goldilocks and the Three Bears, French Frank in Beauty and the Beast, Wishee Washee in Aladdin, Chester the Jester in Sleeping Beauty and Buttons in Cinderella.

Timothy Lucas is King Rat. Liverpool Theatre School trained singer and actor Tim makes a welcome return to St Helens after appearing most recently as the Genie in Aladdin. His other work for Regal Entertainments includes appearances in Aladdin, Beauty and the Beast and Jack and the Beanstalk. His performance as baddie Baron von Vippermall in Goldilocks and the Three Bears for Regal Entertainments at the Epstein Theatre saw him shortlisted for a National Panto Award.

Meanwhile Chantelle Morgan is Alice Fitzwarren. Chantelle shone as Snow White at St Helens last Christmas, appearing alongside superstar Maureen Nolan and Corrie’ Emrhys Cooper after beating 150 other hopefuls to the role in open auditions. She returned to the theatre in February to star as Fairy Rose in Beauty and the Beast and most recently played Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz during the October half term.

Rachael Wood appears as Fairy Bow Bells. LIPA-trained actor and singing teacher Rachael’s previous roles for Regal Entertainments include the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella, Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty and Madam Botox in Beauty and the Beast.

Tommi the cat is played by Jenna Sian O’Hara. Jenna is also no stranger to St Helens audiences. She most recently appeared as Sue in Rita, Sue and Bob Too both at the theatre and on a national tour, while previously she played Fairy Mary in Jack and the Beanstalk, Baby Bear and an aerial performer in Goldilocks and the Three Bears and Emily in The Salon, the Sequel! This month she is in Regal Entertainment’s new production of Night Collar.

And Richard Aucott is Felicity Fitzwarren. A much-loved and experience Dame, Richard’s many panto credits at St Helens Theatre Royal include Queen Hermione and Nanny Nora in Sleeping Beauty, Dame Trott in Jack and the Beanstalk, Sarah the Cook in Dick Whittington and Widow Twankey in Aladdin, an Ugly Sister in Cinderella, Nurse Nelly in Snow White and Potty Polly in Beauty and the Beast.

Dick Whittington is written by David Phipps Davis and directed by Chantelle Joseph, with choreography from Nazene Danielle. Musical director is Steve Power.

St Helens theatre manager and panto director Chantelle Joseph says:

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the response to the show since we opened our doors on Friday. St Helens’ audiences are always fantastic and there’s really nothing better than seeing the joy and wonder on the faces of our youngest theatregoers.

“This may be the first time we’ve produced the story of Dick Whittington, but it’s quickly become the perfect panto – or maybe that should be ‘purrfect’! It’s bursting with big laughs, dazzling visuals, showstopping songs, cheeky comedy and heartwarming magic.

“Matthew Wolfenden is brilliant in the title role and it’s a pleasure to welcome him into the St Helens panto family alongside so many talented Theatre Royal favourites who work so hard to entertain our audiences.

“The countdown to Christmas has officially started, and I can guarantee 2025 is going to be a very special festive season.”