Comedian and musicals star Jason Manford will return to panto at Manchester Opera House for the fourth year this Christmas, alongside popular partner-in-fun Ben Nickless. Robin Hood will see Manford in the title role and Nickless as Will Scarlet from December 6-January 4.
Jason said: “It’s just the most amount of fun you can possibly have; Manchester at Christmas with my good pal Ben Nickless. To be part of people’s Christmas tradition, as well as so many children’s first experience of theatre, is such a privilege. So I had to come back again this year - though I’m not sure about the green tights!”
Salford-born Manford has established himself as a firm favourite in the Manchester theatregoer Christmas calendars over the past few years, but away from comedy he has hosted many shows for the BBC and ITV, including Sunday Night at The Palladium and The Royal Variety Performance. He was a judge on ITV1's Saturday night talent show Starstruck and has hosted BBC One's primetime show Big Night of Musicals since 2022.
On stage he has starred in musicals including Wizard of Oz, Sweeney Todd, The Producers, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Guys and Dolls and Curtains, and is currently on tour in his solo show, A Manford All Seasons.
Rochdale-born Britain's Got Talent finalist Nickless started his working life playing comedy clubs in the North-West before his career took off in 2006, when he did comedy and impressions on the BBC's Let Me Entertain You. Robin Hood will be his seventh consecutive Opera House pantomime.
“I’m over the moon to be back and even happier that Jason’s coming along for the ride again!" he said. "We had such a fantastic time in Cinderella and I can’t wait to create even more mischief this Christmas. Manchester has the best audiences in the country!”
Info and tickets here