Ian gets his hook into Peter Pan role as Stafford Gatehouse launch festive panto
The festive season has kicked off early at Stafford Gatehouse as the cast flocked to the venue to officially launch this year's pantomime, Peter Pan.
Eastenders and Coronation Street star Ian Reddington will take on the role of Captain Hook, alongside Corey Taylor in the title role as Peter Pan.
They will be joined by Charlotte Fishwick as Wendy, Natalie Harman as Tiger Lily, Kieran Morris playing John, James Dangerfield as Smee, Dereck Walker in the role of Starkey, and Sasha Latoya as Tink.
The festive shows see a return to the area for soap star Ian, who previously starred as Richard III at Stafford Castle for the annual Stafford Festival Shakespeare.
Speaking ahead of his role as villainous pirate Hook, the 61-year-old actor said: "I've done a lot of pantos. I always prefer to be working at Christmas because I'm a bit of a bah humbug!
"I've only ever played Captain Hook once before and I've not overdone it, so when I was approached to do Peter Pan I thought 'this is the one for me'.
"I also wanted to return to Stafford where I did the greatest piece of work in my career - Richard III at Stafford Castle in the 90s.
"Audiences coming to see Peter Pan can expect fantastic songs - I will be warbling as will most of the other characters - huge dance numbers and fabulous costumes.
"Stafford has a history of rock'n'roll pantos, whereas this show is a lot more traditional - it still has some elements that audiences are used to, but it will be different too.
"Its just big, festive, theatre fun."
The pantomime will be produced by Prime Pantomimes, a new production company from the minds of Selladoor Theatre and Immersion Theatre.
Prime Pantomimes producer James Tobias said: “We are thrilled to be producing pantomime at the much-loved Gatehouse theatre this Christmas and are already hard at work to ensure we bring this classic family favourite to life in spectacular fashion.
"Audiences can expect a high-energy, localised show packed with all the ingredients which makes pantomime such an unforgettable experience for the entire family.”
Peter Pan comes to Stafford Gatehouse Theatre from Monday, December 13, to Sunday, January 5.
Tickets start from £17 and are available from staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk or by calling 01785 619080.
