First Empire panto casting announced

Published: 30 June 2018
Reporter: Peter Lathan

Jamie Lomas
Richard McCourt
Melanie Walters
Josh Andrews

Sunderland Empire has announced just some of the principal cast for its 2018/19 panto Peter Pan which will run from 14th December to 6th January.

Jamie Lomas, runner up in ITV’s I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, is best known for playing bad boy Warren Fox in Channel 4’s continuing drama Hollyoaks. In 2013, he moved to Albert Square, where he played troubled character Jake Stone in Eastenders.

He will play Captain Hook and his sidekick, Mr Smee, will be played by Richard McCourt, one half of the popular TV duo Dick and Dom. Their science entertainment show Absolute Genius, for which they won the BAFTA for Best Presenters, has just completed its fifth series.

McCourt actually began his panto career at Sunderland Empire in 1999 when he played Wishee Washee in Aladdin alongside Cobra the Gladiator.

Mrs Darling will be played by Melanie Walters, best known for her role as Gwen West in the BAFTA winning series Gavin and Stacey for the BBC alongside James Corden and Ruth Jones.

She has spent most of her professional life touring the country working in theatre, television and radio, including Doc Martin, BBC’s Under Milk Wood and Stella and the family drama, High Tide. Theatre productions include The Importance of Being Earnest, Educating Rita and Blood Brothers.

Finally, Josh Andrews (Cats, Book of Mormon and 42nd Street) plays Peter Pan.

Further casting will be announced soon.

Peter Pan is produced by Martin Dodd for UK Productions. Tickets are now on sale.

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