Join Peter Pan and the characters you know and love this Christmas in this swashbuckling pantomime adventure. With an amazing cast this panto is sure to wow.
Anton Du Beke – Smee
Anton the Dancer
Anton Du Beke is one of the most instantly recognisable figures in the world of Ballroom dance today. Through his involvement in ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, he is proud to have played a part in a phenomenon that has brought dancing not only back into favour, but also on to primetime television – and into the hearts of the nation too.
Anton has appeared in every series of Strictly to date, his partners a veritable who’s who including Esther Rantzen, Jerry Hall, Ruth Langsford, Judy Murray, Katie Derham and Emma Barton. After competing for the eighteenth and final time in 2020 with former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith, the BBC invited him to take a much-prized seat at the lauded Judges desk! Much to the delight of fans – and the contestants – he’s a natural as a Strictly Judge, offering constructive feedback borne out of years being on the receiving end… and resulting in his winning “Best TV Talent Show Judge” in 2022 as voted by the public… twice!
Anton’s annual tours with his professional partner Erin Boag are regular sell-outs and for 2022 they brought ‘Anton & Erin: Showtime‘ to packed theatres nationwide. He released his first album ‘From The Top‘ in time for Christmas 2017.
Anton the Author
Believing the world would be a better place if everyone learned to dance, Anton delights in sharing his passion and enthusiasm for dance with others, not just through his appearances and tuition, but also through his books ‘Anton’s Dance Class’ – a step-by-step guide to Ballroom and Latin dances, and ‘B is for Ballroom’ which will make an armchair expert of even the most novice dance fan. Anton has gone on to publish five novels: the Sunday Times best-seller ‘One Enchanted Evening‘, its sequel ‘Moonlight Over Mayfair‘, followed in 2020 by ‘A Christmas to Remember‘, the fourth instalment ‘We’ll Meet Again‘ in 2021, and the fifth, ‘The Ballroom Blitz‘ in 2022.
Anton the Entertainer
Brought to the public’s attention through the hit BBC1 show Strictly Come Dancing, Anton Du Beke has become a household name and a familiar face on our TV screens. Whether he’s dancing, presenting game shows, or making television guest appearances — he’s fast becoming a media personality in his own right and earning himself the title ‘Mr Showbiz’.
A born showman, and relaxed in front of the camera, Anton excels at light entertainment – a genre he suits very well. From an expanding diversity of television credits, his charm, manner, wit… and comic timing are growing his popularity and appealing to generations young to old. And now through social media channels too, he’s attracting an ever-widening fanbase.
Speaking of fans, it’s reputed that the then Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles as well as David Cameron all tuned in to see Anton and Ann Widdecombe’s show-stopping Strictly performances – their flamboyant routines causing nothing short of a nationwide sensation with over twelve million viewers tuning in!
Beyond his television roles, Anton’s popularity ensures he’s much in demand for hosting, presenting and speaking at corporate, charity and media events. With showbiz sparkle and inimitable style, Anton Du Beke is the consummate and all-round entertainer.
Paul Chuckle – Starkey
Best known as one half of the famous, much-loved comedy pair The Chuckle Brothers, Paul Chuckle (and his late brother Barry) worked in almost every area of entertainment. Their unique style and family-based humour was synonymous with the stage and television appearances that took up most of their time, a long way from their childhood days in Rotherham when they put on shows for friends in their back garden.
After treading the boards in many summer seasons and pantomimes, they got their first national recognition. They won the TV talent show New Faces (a forerunner of The X-Factor), but continued to hone their skills. Such was their dedication they even appeared in an ice show and a circus. But, it was as two costumed characters in a series called The ChuckleHounds that they launched their television career. The success of the series convinced the BBC that the brothers had more to offer. The costumes disappeared, ChuckleVision hit the screens and the reaction was fantastic and later went on to be nominated for a Children’s BAFTA award in 2008. The show remained as popular as ever, always commanding a prime-time viewing slot. Since then, generations of children grew up with the show which was broadcast for over 20 years. During the mid ‘90s Paul and Barry also recorded three series of their own TV game show, including a Christmas special. Aptly titled To Me, to You! which was named after the brothers’ legendary catchphrase.
The pair also regularly toured the UK with their live shows including their multi-leg 1996 Live and in Trouble tour which attracted capacity audiences at venues across the country and their self-styled productions (Raiders of the Lost Bark, Star Doors and Barry Potty and His Smarter Brother Paul in the Chamber of Horrors) which won them legions of even more fans. Their most successful tour, Doctor What and Return of the Garlics, took to the road in 2005 and was their most successful, playing to full capacity in 63 venues. The boys were also regulars at summer season, selling out the traditional seaside resorts of Blackpool, Skegness, Great Yarmouth and Scarborough.
There have also been some unforgettable pantomimes: in 1996, they starred in Britain’s biggest pantomime, Mother Goose in Birmingham, and the 2004 production at the Manchester Opera House, Dick Whittington, was a box office record. During the run of the 2006 show in Hull, they received a 40th birthday cake from the theatre to celebrate their outstanding career achievements. In 2006, the brothers guested on TV’s Celebrity Weakest Link, where they finished a close second.
In 2008, the boys performed in their tour of Indiana Chuckles and the Kingdom of the Mythical Sulk. Paul and Barry both stole the show Celebrity Coach Trip in 2010 and won the whole series. In 2012, the brothers continued to be extremely busy, firstly with Pirates of the Curry Bean touring to great venues in Great Yarmouth, Blackpool, Scarborough and Skegness. The Chuckle Brothers were featured on Channel 4 in the Comedy World Cup. Further entertainment for ‘The Chux’ continued into October 2012 with their summer tour Pirates of River Rother 2, again successfully being a sell-out. In November 2012, they were invited to appear in series eight of Celebrity Juice, presented by Keith Lemon. Due to their huge popularity, Qdos Entertainment were delighted that they agreed to return to pantomime in 2012/2013 in Sleeping Beauty at Hull New Theatre, which broke box office records.
In March 2013, the boys featured in David Walliams’ sketch for Comic Relief. Heading back out onto the road they then appeared in The Phantom tour once more the boys successfully appeared in Aladdin at Darlington Civic Theatre, the 2013 Christmas pantomime, and returned for the 2014 season with The Chuckles of Oz, which they toured throughout 2015 before starring in Peter Pan at the Wolverhampton Grand.
They also toured their new show for Park Dean Holidays and performed at music festivals – including the Isle of Wight Bestival. In 2016, they both made a special appearance on The Royal Variety Performance alongside David Walliams. The Chuckle Brothers then proceeded to be part of the giant 3D pantomime spectacular Jack and the Beanstalk at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham and starred in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, opposite Craig Revel Horwood.
In 2017, Paul and Barry continued their television successes, filming several episodes of Walliams & Friends for BBC1 and playing the roles of Crostini and Co in the hilarious Benidorm. Their television show, Chuckle Time aired on Channel 5 in 2018 and the pair received the award for Best Double Act at the Great British Pantomime Awards.
In 2018, Paul made a special television appearance in The Keith and Paddy Picture Show, the new BBC show The Time it Takes and he played the role of Ronnie Hislop in Doctors. Paul dedicated the Qdos Entertainment 2018 panto Cinderella to the memory of his brother, Barry, who passed away in August 2018.
In 2019 The Chuckle Brothers were voted number one as the greatest CBBC series of all time. Most recently Paul appeared on Pointless Celebrities- ‘Kids TV’ Themed Edition. He also made his cameo role in the short film My Bad alongside Will Mellor, Richard Blackwood, John Thomson, Jake Canuso and Sally Lindsey.
Nigel Ellacott – Mrs. Smee
Nigel is delighted to be appearing in Peter Pan at New Victoria Theatre, Woking- a Pantomime subject new to him, and a much-loved magical story.
This year is his 49th Year in Panto and is his 50th Pantomime!
Last year Nigel was delighted to be presented with “The Outstanding Achievement in Pantomime” Award at London’s Trafalgar Theatre by the UK Pantomime Association.
He has played most of the UK theatres in Pantomime as Dame, and for twenty-eight years appeared as Ugly Sister with his late-stage Partner, Peter Robbins.
Previous pantomimes have included six years with Brian Conley, four with Sherrie Hewson, six appearances at Llandudno, three pantomimes in Hull, Manchester Palace, Plymouth, Wolverhampton, Birmingham Hippodrome, Wimbledon, Nottingham, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Cardiff… and very many more! He appeared at the New Victoria Theatre in Cinderella in 1996! He has appeared alongside Bradley Walsh, Windsor Davies, Matt Baker, Fern Britten, Dame Hylda Bracket, Britt Ekland, June Whitfield, Simon Webb, Chris Jarvis, Ashleigh & Pudsey and many others during his 39 years with Qdos, and now Crossroads Pantomimes.
Nigel designs and creates all his costumes, and recently enjoyed a long season in a glass case in the Victoria & Albert Museum- His ballgowns, and his designs that is, not himself! In 2000 Nigel created the Pantomime website www.its-behind-you.com.
He is an authority on all things pantomime, and was featured in the Channel 4 documentary Pantoland, Celebrity Antiques Roadtrip (With Christopher Biggins) and recently on Channel 5’s Victorian Christmas. He took on Anne Robinson in Celebrity Panto Weakest Link, pipped to the post by Joe Pasquale! He appeared as Sarah The Cook in Ready Steady Cook and appeared with Jennifer Saunders in her BBC TV’s Mirrorball alongside Joanna Lumley and June Whitfield.
Nigel toured the UK for over twenty years with his Pantomime Roadshow, introducing children to Pantomime which to date has been seen by 250,000 schoolchildren.
Bob Harms – Captain Hook
Bob trained at Arts Educational School Tring.
Bob’s theatre credits include Assassins (Chichester Festival Theatre), Train On Fire (the Other Palace), Mr. Thompson/Happy Man in Pretty Woman (Piccadilly Theatre and Savoy Theatre), Come From Away (The Abbey Theatre, Dublin), Odin in Thor & Loki (Edinburgh Fringe and Tour), King Arthur in Spamalot (Mercury Theatre and UK Tour), Abananza in Aladdin (Richmond Theatre), Vittorio Vidal in Sweet Charity (Manchester Royal Exchange), Frankie in Jackie The Musical (UK Tour), Steve Baker and Jim Greene in Show Boat (Sheffield Crucible Theatre), Ephraim in Seven Brides For Seven Brothers (Regents Park Open Air Theatre), Ship Captain in Anything Goes (Sheffield Crucible/UK Tour), Backing Vocalist/Dad in Kate Bush Before the Dawn (Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith), Dr Grimwig in Oliver! (Sheffield Crucible Theatre), Merrily We Roll Along (Harold Pinter Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar (UK Arena Tour), Fletcher in Wonderful Town (UK Tour), Pippin (Menier Chocolate Factory), Chicago (Adelphi and Cambridge Theatre), Larry Hastings in Bells Are Ringing (Union Theatre), Priscilla (Palace Theatre), Imagine This (New London Theatre), Dirty Dancing (Aldwiych Theatre), Lyle and Alternate Ren in Footloose (UK Tour and Novello), On The Town (ENO) and Mathew Bourne’s Swan Lake (International Tour).
Chloe Riley – Wendy
Chloe trained at Bird College.
Chloe is a 2023 graduate and making her professional debut as Wendy in Peter Pan.
Her credits whilst training include Judy Turner in A Chorus Line (Bird College) and Lead vocalist in Uprising (Bird College). Her other credits include Featured Vocalist in Winters Tale (Chessington World of Adventures) and Lead Vocalist/ Swing in Who Headlines? You decide (Chessington World of Adventures).
Georgia Brierley-Smith – Tink
Georgia is a 2023 graduate from Emil Dale Academy.
Georgia’s credits include Cinderella in Cinderella (Polka Dot Pantomimes), Donatella/Tina Turner Impersonator in The Wedding Singer (Emil Dale Academy) and Mildred/Cover Flo in Kipps: The New Half A Sixpence Musical (Emil Dale Academy).
