A TV fashionista, Britain’s Got Talent finalist and children’s TV favourite are set to star in the swashbuckling pantomime, Peter Pan.
The Theatre Royal, Nottingham, and Crossroads Pantomimes have announced the first of their casting for this year’s high-flying pantomime.
Leading the cast is stylist, DJ, broadcaster, cook and author Gok Wan as The Magical Merman, comedian Paul Chuckle as Starkey and comedy ventriloquist Steve Hewlett as Smee.
Gok Wan’s TV career started with the overwhelming success of his Channel 4 series, How To Look Good Naked. His other recent TV credits include Gok’s Fashion Fix, Gok’s Chinese Takeaway for National Geographic, Gok’s Style Secrets, Gok Live: Stripping For Summer, Too Fat Too Young and Gok’s Teens The Naked Truth, Say Yes to the Dress Lancashire for the Discovery channel and Gok Cooks Asian.
In addition to his sartorial television appearances, Gok has solidified his reputation as a broadcaster, author and chef, most recently adding record-topping DJ to his extensive list of credentials, which saw him release his debut single, a cover of Baby D’s Let Me Be Your Fantasy, with Kele Le Roc.
Gok also remains a regular guest presenter and resident fashion expert for ITV1’s This Morning and various hit television programmes.
Paul Chuckle became a household name as part of the legendary double-act The Chuckle Brothers with his beloved brother Barry. Generations have grown up with the catchphrase “to me, to you” made famous by the brothers on the BAFTA award-winning TV show ChuckleVision, which commanded prime time viewing slots for nearly three decades.
Alongside his TV work, Paul is a familiar face in theatres around the country and is one of the most in-demand panto performers in the UK. When not on-stage entertaining, Paul can often be found in some of the UK’s biggest nightclubs as a popular DJ.
Comedy ventriloquist Steve Hewlett won the affection of the nation when he reached the final of the seventh season of Britain’s Got Talent. Since his BGT appearance, Steve has toured extensively, and ahead of joining Nottingham audiences this Christmas, will be touring around the UK entertaining people at festivals, theatre shows, cruise ships and holiday-makers at Butlins and Haven resorts.
Crossroads Pantomimes’ chief executive, Michael Harrison, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Gok, Paul and Steve to our Nottingham pantomime cast for this year’s production of Peter Pan. All three of these stars are hugely-talented panto performers and together they guarantee that our production of Peter Pan will be packed with laughter and a real festive treat for audiences of all ages.”
Peter Ireson, venue director at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham, added: “I’m sure our panto audiences will be delighted with the super-talented cast we’re announcing today. Peter Pan is such a popular title, it’s a much-loved story appealing to every generation, we’re in for an awfully big adventure for families this Christmas. The croc’s ticking already.”
Join Peter Pan and the characters you know and love this Christmas in a swashbuckling panto adventure. The family treat will include all favourites Tinker Bell, Wendy, John, and Michael Darling.
With amazing special effects, stunning sets, beautiful costumes and barrel-loads of laughter, Peter Pan is set to take the whole family on a magical trip to Neverland like never before.
Peter Pan runs from Saturday, December 7, 2024, to Sunday, January 12, 2025, at Theatre Royal, Nottingham.
Further casting for Peter Pan will be announced later in the year.
