Panto Officially Launched

This week, the cast of this year’s swashbuckling Aylesbury Waterside Theatre panto officially launched The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook, anchoring up in Bucks from Fri 6 Dec 2024-Sun 5 Jan 2025.

Bradley Riches (Netflix’s Heartstopper, Celebrity Big Brother 2024) who is playing Peter Pan, Andy Collins (BBC Three Counties Radio) who is playing Smee, and familiar face of stage and screen, Mark Moraghan (Coronation Street, Holby City, Brookside) playing the villainous Hook, were joined by the latest confirmed cast members: Guildford School of Acting-trained Maeve Byrne (Heathers – UK Tour, Grease – UK Tour, Ghost The Musical – Original UK Tour) who will play Emily Darling and Merrifield Award winner for Best All-Round performer Leanne Garretty (Britian’s Got Talent, BBC Big Night of Musicals, We Will Rock You – UK Tour, Only Fools and Horses, Jersey Boys – UK Tour, Starlight Express – International Tour) playing Tinker Bell.

The Neverland team sailed into Abbey Hill Golf Centre Pirate Crazy Golf, Milton Keynes and could be seen rafting, golfing and TikTok filming while posing with pirates and discussing the many elements of this year’s must-see production.

Pantogoers can expect barrels of fun, incredible flying effects, high-energy dance routines and audience interaction for all ages this festive season; a recipe for pure escapism which cast member Andy Collins thinks is key to Christmas: ‘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. I feel extremely honoured that families and friends choose Aylesbury panto year on year, and having met the rest of the panto team, I know they’re in for an absolute treat!’

This year’s modern twist on a classic story boasts an action-packed production that Leanne Garretty (Tinker Bell) is excited to be a part of: ‘I may be biased, but I think my role is one of the best in pantoland! Tinks is iconic, a force to be reckoned with! I can’t wait to get my skates on (quite literally!) and start rehearsals!’

Things have moved on in Neverland since Captain Hook’s demise – he wants his ship and his crew back, but whose side is his comical former sidekick Smee now on?

The story follows our hero Peter Pan, everyone’s favourite fairy Tinker Bell, and the mystical Ethyl the Mermaid as they seek to thwart the dastardly Captain Hook. But watch out – aided by his band of clumsy and dim-witted acrobatic pirate crew, Hook is out for revenge… never should a Captain have to walk his own plank and that’s exactly what Peter Pan made him do! Back in London, Wendy has grown up to the ripe old age of 103 and her great, great granddaughter Emily Darling now resides near Kensington Gardens. Will Tinker Bell be able to convince her that Wendy’s stories about her childhood adventures were actually real? Could Emily hold the key to defeating Captain Hook once and for all? Can Ethyl the Mermaid make a splash that restores normality? Will a tic tok-ing croc resurface?! Can Hook be defeated for a second time?!

Find out this Christmas in a festive adventure like no other!

Hook your seats now by entering our competition, or visit www.atgtickets.com/Aylesbury

*Fees apply.