Panto stars come to town to launch Peter Pan at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre

It may only be September but the stars of Peter Pan rolled into town to launch the show set to spread some Christmas cheer throughout Wolverhampton.

After a record breaking run at the Grand Theatre last year for Cinderella, which saw ticket sales smash the £1 million mark before opening night, it is down to the Chuckle Brothers, John Altman and Ross Carpenter to go one better this time, with Peter Pan due to open on December 12.

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Iconic children's TV stars the Chuckle Brothers have said that they are looking to give audiences 'real belly laughs' in their roles as Gentleman Starkey and Mr Smee.

Comedy duo Barry and Paul have been a mainstay in the entertainment business since ChuckleVision premiered back in 1987, but they have now been performing on stages even longer than on TV.

Speaking at the launch for Peter Pan, held inside the Molineux, younger brother Paul said: "You have to be so much bigger on stage than you are on TV, the laughs have to be real belly laughs to fill these huge venues.

"That is where our satisfaction comes from, getting those big laughs, because you know it is going right then.

"Already, we are excited to show off our finale for this show, I just know that is going to get people roaring.

"What we do is just as funny for a child as it is their grandparents, so in that sense our act is perfect for pantomime.

"We have performed in Wolverhampton before, we did a couple of pantomime's at the Grand Theatre in the late 80s and early 90s.

"It is a beautiful theatre and the crowds are wonderful. If we are ever touring and doing live shows of any sort, we try and come down."

While the experienced Chuckle Brothers have had decades to perfect their craft, young Ross Carpenter, who will be playing Peter Pan, is fairly new to performances of this level.

The 22-year-old, who only recently graduated from the Laine Theatre Arts training school in Epsom, near London is set to utilise his natural energy and mischievous nature to help deliver the best show possible.

Ross, from Lowestoft, said: "I knew from the first time I watched a pantomime that this is what I wanted to do.

"I was about seven years old and the show was Cinderella.

"Everything about the show excited me and I just had this strong feeling that this is what I had to do.

"I remember telling my mum how I felt, so now it feels great to actually be getting ready to perform on such a magnificent stage with experienced performers.

"Playing Peter Pan isn't much of a stretch for me, I am the instigator of all things mischievous, I guess I will just be playing an exaggerated version of myself."

Rehearsals for this year's show are due to start in November, giving the cast a limited amount of time to learn the songs and dances that bring shows to life before it is time to take to the stage.

John Altman, who famously portrayed Eastenders villain 'Nasty' Nick Cotton and will take on the role of Captain Hook, said the preparation is tough but the reward of delivering a classic pantomime performance is huge.

He said: "I have done plenty of pantomimes now, so I know all about having to learn your lines and all these songs in a short space of time.

"It is tough going but of course, once you are on stage it is all worth it.

"It's not a bad way to earn a few bob, being in a nice warm theatre throughout the dark, cold winter, performing in front of thousands of people, connecting with the young kids and spreading a bit of Christmas cheer to people.

"Obviously for me, it is another bad guy role to get stuck into, I imagine that a little bit of Nick Cotton will slip in somewhere, that usually gets a response from the crowds.

"The Grand is a lovely theatre, one of the nicest in the country, so it is a pleasure to come to Wolverhampton and perform there."

Peter Pan will run at the Grand Theatre from December 12 to January 24, with ticket prices ranging from £17 to £28.50.

For more information visit grandtheatre.co.uk