23 October 2026
Once upon a time, a cast of dames, heroes and villains set off on a grand adventure…
By train, carriage and boat they travelled, stopping at TV studios and pumpkin patches, taking in the sights of Rove Farm, Severndroog Castle, and Place Hall whilst navigating the choppy waters of Wycombe Rye and Eastbourne sea front!
Across the country, our theatres have been rolling out the red carpet for this year’s panto stars, with a series of colourful launch events that have brought a touch of theatrical magic to local communities.
At the Wyvern Theatre, it was all hands on deck as the cast of Jack and the Beanstalk gathered at the family-run Roves Farm for the official launch of the venue’s 2026 pantomime season.
Against the backdrop of the beautiful Wiltshire countryside, stars Richie Anderson, Jamie Leahey, Finlay McKillop, Mia Jae, Rachel Kendall Brown and Richard Foster King embraced the spirit of the season, posing for photographs in costume and enjoying everything the farm had to offer.
No trip to Roves Farm would be complete without meeting the animals, and the cast were delighted to get up close to one of the farm’s newest arrivals, a one-day-old calf, adding an extra dose of heartwarming charm to the day’s festivities.
Excitement reached fairytale proportions this week as The Orchard Theatre hosted its official Cinderella pantomime press launch at the stunning, historic Hall Place and Gardens in Bexley.
Set against the magnificent backdrop of the 16th-century manor house, the glamorous event brought together the production’s star-studded cast, local dignitaries and regional media to celebrate a landmark moment: the official countdown to the theatre’s grand reopening on 12 December following a three-year closure.
The full company was out in force for the celebrations, led by comedy legend Joe Pasquale as Baron Hardup. With the beautiful grounds providing a fittingly regal setting, the launch generated excitement for both this year’s pantomime and the return of live entertainment to one of the region’s most cherished venues.
The magic of pantomime also came to life in the autumn sunshine as the stars of this year’s highly anticipated production hosted a special press and family event at Beck Evans Farm in Sidcup. Cast members Abbie Budden (Cinderella) and Ben Goffe (Buttons) swapped their glass slippers and courtly boots for wellies, spending the morning hunting through the pumpkin patch in search of the perfect pumpkin to transform into Cinderella’s iconic carriage.
Surrounded by families, media and plenty of seasonal charm, the event provided a playful taste of the festive magic audiences can expect when Cinderella opens at The Orchard Theatre this December, marking both the return of pantomime to Dartford and an exciting new chapter in the venue’s reopening celebrations.
At Fareham Live, the cast of Jack and the Beanstalk gathered at the venue for a lively launch event that attracted local media and influencers eager for a first glimpse of this year’s festive spectacular. Leading the celebrations was much-loved television personality and The Chase star Anne Hegerty, who was joined by fellow cast members for photography, interviews and plenty of pantomime fun.
The event generated a real buzz across the local community, with guests enjoying exclusive access to the cast and production as excitement builds towards this year’s giant adventure. To round off a busy day of publicity, Anne headed to the studios of ITV Meridian for a special interview, helping spread the pantomime magic to audiences across the region.
Led by TV and radio star, Vernon Kay, the wonderful cast of Sleeping Beauty from Churchill Theatre Bromley, had a magical day at Severndroog Castle! Big shout out to Keriese from the Content team for stepping up and donning the Biggin Hill Bear costume and providing everyone with bear hugs and laughs! Judging from how the day went, it’s going to be a fantastic panto season at the Churchill!
Over in High Wycombe, Peter Pan stars La Voix and Kev Orkian swapped Neverland for the picturesque surroundings of Wycombe Rye as they launched this year’s production at the Wycombe Swan.
The pair were joined by cameras and photographers to capture a series of promotional shots, helping build excitement ahead of another swashbuckling festive season at the venue.
Meanwhile, in Eastbourne, the Cinderella cast enjoyed a suitably glamorous launch event with visits to the iconic Grand Hotel on King Edward’s Parade and Eastbourne’s famous seafront.
With stunning coastal views providing the perfect backdrop, the cast took part in photography and filming sessions that showcased both the production and the town’s much-loved seaside charm.
No launch adventure would be complete without a little star power, and Crewe Lyceum‘s panto star Su Pollard certainly delivered.
Supported by partners including Yorkshire Tea and Avanti West Coast, Su’s launch activities saw her travelling in style while connecting with local organisations and audiences. One of the highlights was a visit to Cheshire College South & West, where fashion students were given a unique opportunity to meet the television favourite.
During the visit, Su delivered a live creative brief that tasked students with designing and creating a bespoke pantomime costume for her to wear during the show’s December run. The project is now underway, giving students the chance to see their work brought to life on stage in front of thousands of theatre-goers.
From farms and fairy tales to seaside promenades, historic gardens and college classrooms, this year’s pantomime launches have once again demonstrated the creativity, community spirit and sheer joy that make the festive season so special across our venues.
With rehearsals, costume fittings and plenty more surprises still to come, audiences can expect another unforgettable season packed with laughter, spectacle and all the ingredients of a perfect pantomime.
Oh yes they can! 🎭✨
