Elkington returns as Nottingham dame

Panto favourite John Elkington is to play Sarah the cook in Nottingham Playhouse’s 2022 Christmas show Dick Whittington.

He will be joined by Lisa Ambalavanar as Dick, Rosanna Bates as Alice Fitzwarren, Christopher Chandler as King Rat, Danny Hendrix as Silly Billy, Ewan Ling as Tom the cat, T J Lloyd as Alderman Fitzwarren and Natalie Winsor as Fairy Bowbells.

A youth chorus will comprise Delinda Lee, Donté Slater, Emily Jordan, Esmie Smith-Cockayne, Evie Swetnam-Prince, Freya Smith, George Turton, Gracie Lillie, Henry Pavier, Louis Gillespie, Mairwen Knight, Milly Caswel, Nathan James Hayward and Ruby-Jae Leighton.

Written and directed by Nottingham Playhouse artistic director Adam Penford, Dick Whittington will have set and costume design by Mark Walters and musical direction by John Morton.

Nottingham Playhouse chief executive Stephanie Sirr said, “this year’s pantomime will be our sparkliest, funniest and most magical yet. Not only do we bring you the best performers from the West End and closer to home but we welcome back Uncle Johnnie on keys. He and the fantastic company will bring everyone together for a fabulous time with family and friends of all ages this Christmas.”

Dick Whittington will run from Friday 25 November until Saturday 14 January 2023. The Playhouse’s Christmas show for younger audiences, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, written and composed by local artists Anna Wheatley and Jack Quarton, will be directed by Playhouse associate artist Hannah Stone. It will run from Thursday 8 until Saturday 31 December.