The traditional Christmas pantomime story Peter Pan has entertained theatregoers for around 120 years — but now it is flying even higher on the stage.

This year’s annual festive show at Mansfield’s Palace Theatre, which starts on 25th November, is a new version of the classic tale.

But The Further Adventures of Peter Pan – The Return of Captain Hook is just as entertaining, bringing the age-old story up to date for today’s digital age, but retaining the magical fun and games you’ve come to expect from a family pantomime.

UK Productions has completely refreshed the well-known story — things have moved on in Neverland since the demise of Captain Hook (Coronation Street’s Marc Baylis, who previously played the ‘baddie’ pirate on the Palace stage in 2016).

Hook wants his ship and his crew back, but whose side is his comical former sidekick, Smee, on now?

Smee is played, of course, by Mansfield’s favourite panto funnyman, Adam Smee, who returns to the Palace panto for a seventh season.
Back in that Peter Pan show in 2016 comedian, magician and all-round prankster Adam got down on one knee to propose to his then girlfriend Karen Tomkins, with whom he now has an 18 months-old daughter, Poppy.

Among the other cast members is Sarah Jane Buckley, best known for her role as Kathy Barnes in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks, as Mrs Darling and Ethel Mermaid.

Actress, singer, and dancer Holly Atterton, from Nick Jr, was part of the five-star rated Peter Pan cast of 2016/17 and is returning to play Tinkerbell.

“I’m thrilled to be flying back to Mansfield to bring this incredible new show to the Palace for the first time,” she added. “There’s all the magic and fun you’d expect from a panto, but with an exciting new story and some brilliant new characters.”

Connor Keetley is Peter Pan and Jenny Huxley-Golden will play Emily Darling.

Sian Booth, Cultural Services manager at Mansfield District Council, which operates the theatre, said: “With so much children’s entertainment now on screens, it’s such a thrill to see their eyes light up and jaws drop at a live theatre experience. Add the excitement of Christmas and you have the ingredients for a magical trip to remember for a lifetime.”

The panto runs until 31st December. To buy tickets go to www.mansfieldpalace.co.uk, call 01623 633133, or drop in at the theatre box office on Leeming Street.