Comedy star Jason Manford will lead the cast in this year’s Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan at Manchester’s Opera House
Jason will play the dastardly Captain Hook in the role of Captain Hook, and will be joined by returning Manchester panto favourite, Rochdale-born Ben Nickless as Hook’s sidekick, Smee.
Salford-born Manford, a stand-up comedian, actor, singer, radio and television presenter and musicals star, is thrilled to be starring in his home city in one of the country’s biggest Christmas shows.
“I’ve been going to panto since I was a kid and now experience the magic with my own children. So to make my debut and be part of this year’s Manchester pantomime is a huge honour. I’m nervous, of course, and slightly worried about how a 40-year-old, out-of-shape father of six is going to play Peter Pan, what with all the flying and sword fighting but I’ll give it my best shot… what’s that? I’m playing Hook. That certainly makes more sense! Can’t wait!”
Jason began his career in 1999 in a far smaller Manchester venue, the Buzz Comedy Club in Chorlton, and since then has regularly packed theatres and arenas up and down the country.
Jason has starred in several stage musicals in the West End and across the UK, including Sweeney Todd, The Producers, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Guys and Dolls, and comedy musical Curtains. And of course he’s no stranger to our TV screens, from Channel 4’s panel shows 8 Out of 10 Cats and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown to many appearances in chat and panel shows. He recently also hosted the Big Night of Musicals by the National Lottery.
The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan is at Manchester Opera House from December 10-31.
More info and tickets here.