ARTS + ENT
OH YES IT IS!
THE ALL-NEW ADVENTURES OF PETER PAN AT THE MARLOWE!
THINK HAPPY THOUGHTS, THE MARLOWE THEATRE’ S AWARD-WINNING PANTOMIME IS BACK, BIGGER AND EVEN BETTER FOR CHRISTMAS 2026, WITH STRICTLY STAR JANETTE MANRARA LEADING THE STAR-STUDDED CAST IN THIS YEAR’ S SHOW, THE ALL-NEW ADVENTURES OF PETER PAN.
© Josh Carter
THE MARLOWE THEATRE
The Canterbury theatre, which has previously won the prestigious Best Pantomime Award at the UK Pantomime Awards, will be bringing the magic to Christmas in Kent once more. The production promises everything audiences have come to expect from a Marlowe Christmas spectacular: dazzling special effects, lavish sets, fabulous musical numbers and plenty of familyfriendly fun. And, after all, it wouldn’ t be Peter Pan without the cast taking to the skies...
Television presenter, dancer and author Janette will take centre stage as the iconic fairy, Tink. She is best known for her years as a professional dancer on BBC One’ s Strictly Come Dancing, where she reached the final with HRVY and won the Christmas Special twice. Since 2021, she has been a popular co-host of It Takes Two and the Strictly Live tour. Last year, she made her musical theatre debut as Roxie Hart in the
UK and Ireland tour of Chicago, and has also appeared numerous times on the Marlowe Theatre stage while touring her own shows.
Speaking about joining the production, Janette said she is thrilled to be returning to Canterbury and excited to make her firstever pantomime appearance.
“ Every time I’ ve performed in Canterbury, the audiences have been incredible, so I know we’ re in for a fantastic festive season. Making my pantomime debut as the iconic Tink makes it even more special. I’ ve worn plenty of dazzling costumes throughout my career, but this will be my first time sprinkling fairy dust in one and I can’ t wait!”
Joining her is a cast packed with audience favourites and theatrical talent. Returning after another hugely successful festive season is Phil Gallagher, best known to millions of families as Mister Maker. Bringing his trademark warmth, energy and comic timing, Gallagher takes on the role of Starkey, ensuring plenty of laughs for audiences young and old.
No Marlowe pantomime would feel complete without the return of Ben Roddy, who once again dons the dame’ s costume as Mrs Smee. A fixture of Canterbury’ s festive celebrations for nearly two decades, Roddy has become synonymous with Christmas at the Marlowe. As the only two-time winner of the Pantomime Award for Dame of the Year, he remains one of the most beloved performers on the pantomime circuit and a perennial crowd favourite.
Adding a touch of West End brilliance to proceedings is David Bedella as the infamous Captain Hook. A three-time Olivier Award winner, Bedella boasts an extraordinary list of stage and screen credits, including & Juliet, The Rocky Horror Show, Jerry Springer: The Opera, In the Heights and Holby City. His larger-than-life
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