Get ready to be 'hooked' by a brand-new swashbuckling adventure at The Floral Pavilion this Christmas

Peter Pan. Credit: Floral Pavilion

Panto season is almost upon us and The Floral Pavilion in New Brighton has announced this year’s show is perfect for kids… and those who never want to grow up!

The Floral Pavilion Theatre is set to host the enchanting pantomime, The Further Adventures of Peter Pan – The Return of Captain Hook, from 6 December to 5 January.

Join Peter, Smee, Tinker Bell, and Ethyl Mermaid on a thrilling journey filled with fun, laughter, and plenty of pirate mischief.

After defeating the evil Captain Hook, life has been peaceful in Neverland. But when a mysterious stranger arrives, Peter is forced to confront his past and decide his future. Will he ever grow up? And then there are the rumours – is it true that Captain Hook survived the stormy seas and is seeking revenge?

This production is a brand new adventure, full of comedy, chaos and crocodiles. As always with the Floral Pavilion, the show also promises sparkling sets, lavish costumes, and all the fun of a traditional family panto.

It is being produced by Martin Dodd for UK Productions Ltd, in association with the Floral Pavilion Theatre and Martin explains why the panto is such of big part of many families’ festive rituals.

“People have incredibly busy lives and panto is a tradition that, for a couple of hours, lets them leave everything else at the theatre door,” Martin says. “Peter Pan is such a fantastic story and we have completely refreshed it with this sequel, which has all the magic of the original plus all the pantomime elements we know our audiences love – including special effects, laugh out loud comedy, great song and dance routines, and fabulous sets and costumes.

“Never will your Swash have been so Buckled so Hook your tickets today because the Croc is ticking!”

This year’s cast brings together stars of stage and screen direct from the West End.

Last time Tom Lister donned the tights and wig of Captain Hook, he won Best Villain at the inaugural Great British Pantomime Awards! Tom is thrilled to be back in Neverland for another Christmas of mayhem and Panto magic. Captain Hook marks Tom’s debut t the Floral Pavilion and he can’t wait to get started.

Danny Colligan is Peter Pan. Danny created the role of Ron Williams in the world premiere production of  Cable Street, and previously toured as Billy Kostecki in Dirty Dancing, having played the role in the West End revival at the Dominion Theatre. People might also remember Danny from the live finals of BBC1’s  Let it Shine where he performed alongside Take That, Danni Minogue and Melanie C.

By popular demand, Floral panto favourite Sean Jones returns for a fifth spectacular year as Smee. Sean is returning to New Brighton following another successful tour as Mickey in the award-winning Blood Brothers.

Holly Atterton is delighted to be reprising the role of Tinker Bell. She will be flying all the way from her home in “old” Brighton to New Brighton, to bring this magical show to the Floral Pavilion and she says: “I may be biased, but I think my role is one of the best in pantoland! Tink is iconic. She’s a force to be reckoned with but she has a heart of gold. I can’t wait to get my skates on – quite literally – and perform at the Floral Pavilion!”

The theatre is delighted to welcome Ruth Betteridge, starring as Emily Darling, and Victoria Hay who will play both Mrs Darling and the Mermaid.

Don’t miss this unforgettable, traditional pantomime experience. Performances run from Friday 6 December 2024 until Sunday 5 January 2025, including a BSL performance (15 Dec 5pm) and a relaxed performance (2 Jan 2025 5pm) also available to book.