The cast of The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan, gathered at the Alhambra Theatre, Bradford to launch the 2026 Panto Season

Yesterday – Thursday 15 October 2026 - the cast of The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan gathered at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford to officially launch their 2026 pantomime season.

Previously announced to lead the cast are Bradford panto legend Billy Pearce as Smee, Myra DuBois as Magical MerMyra and Ryan Thomas as Captain Hook, alongside Jamie John as Tink, Sarah Pearson as Wendy and Mya Louise Fenton, making her professional debut in the title role of Peter Pan.

Joining them is this year’s newly announced ensemble, led by Izzi Gaskell as Dance Captain and Max Hunter as Assistant Dance Captain, alongside Abigail Chown, Joey Hall, Maeia Houston, Vaidile Jonikas, Christian McGowan and Ollie Playfoot.

The company will also feature The Acromaniacs, the acclaimed comedy acrobatic act who have become firm favourites in pantomimes across the country. 

Combining slapstick comedy with high-energy acrobatics, trampette and split-second timing, their television appearances have included The Brian Conley Show, Surprise Surprise, The Slammer and Tonight’s the Night, alongside numerous pantomime and summer season appearances.

Also returning are the legendary Sunbeams, provided by Sara Packham Theatre School in Keighley. This year marks the theatre school’s 21st year of providing the Sunbeams for the Alhambra Theatre pantomime, continuing a much-loved Bradford panto tradition.

Returning to direct the Bradford pantomime is Ed Curtis, who has directed the Alhambra Theatre’s annual pantomime since 2011. A long-time collaborator with Crossroads Pantomimes Chief Executive Michael Harrison, Ed oversees the creative output of Crossroads Pantomimes. His writing credits include the Olivier Award-nominated musicals The Drifters Girl and Dance ’Til Dawn, while his directing credits include I Dreamed a Dream and Benidorm Live.

Joining the Bradford creative team for the first time this year is choreographer Joanna Goodwin. Joanna is currently Movement Director and Associate Director on the London transfer of Million Dollar Quartet at The Arts at Marble Arch, following its run at the Barn Theatre. Her recent work includes choreographing Kiss of the Spider Woman at Curve, Leicester, which subsequently transferred to Bristol Old Vic and Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, and Les Demoiselles de Rochefort at the Lido, Paris. Her extensive stage credits also include My Fair Lady, An Officer and a Gentleman, A View from the Bridge, Much Ado About Nothing and Sunset Boulevard, with screen choreography credits including Black Mirror, Strike: Troubled Blood and Life After Life.

They are joined by Rory Beaton as Lighting Designer, Richard Brooker as Sound Designer and The Twins FX, who return to provide the spectacular special effects that Bradford panto audiences have come to know and love. Their pioneering work spans theatre, television and film, with credits including Back to the Future: The Musical, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, Hamlet and Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds.

The launch event brought the magic of Neverland to the Alhambra Theatre as the company came together ahead of rehearsals for this year’s production. With spectacular special effects, stunning sets, beautiful costumes and plenty of laughter promised, audiences can look forward to a high-flying, swashbuckling adventure featuring Peter Pan, Tink, Wendy, a crew of dastardly pirates and a very friendly crocodile.

Produced by Crossroads Pantomimes, the world’s biggest pantomime producer and the team behind last year’s Bradford production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan runs from Saturday 5 December 2026 to Sunday 17 January 2027.

There is a performance for everybody, with two signed performances on Thursday 10 December at 2pm and Sunday 10 January at 5pm; two audio described performances on Thursday 7 January at 2pm and 7.15pm; a captioned performance on Sunday 3 January at 5pm; and two relaxed performances on Tuesday 5 January at 1pm and 6pm. The relaxed performances will welcome everyone who would like to see the panto in a less formal atmosphere.

Get ready to set sail for Neverland as Peter Pan, Tink and Wendy take on the dastardly Captain Hook in a spectacular adventure packed with comedy, special effects and all the magic audiences have come to expect from Bradford’s legendary pantomime.

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