The cast of the brand-new pantomime, Pinocchio, at Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre have promised to give crowds a “magical experience” this Christmas season. 

This year’s festive panto, Pinocchio, will run from Saturday, December 7, to Sunday, January 19.

The legendary Billy Pearce will be returning to the stage as toymaker Geppetto while Coronation Street star Chris Gascoyne will play puppeteer and showman Stromboli.

Drag superstar Courtney Act, who rose to fame on RuPaul’s Drag Race, will make her UK panto debut as the Blue Faerie.

The cast of the brand-new pantomime, PinocchioThe cast of the brand-new pantomime, Pinocchio (Image: Mike Simmonds) Now more details of the principal line-up have been revealed - including ‘Super Monsters’ and Netflix’s ‘High Seas’ actor Ewan Goddard as Pinocchio. 

Panto veteran Steve Arnot will play Dame Rita Rigatoni, Sarah Pearson will swap last year’s role as Cinderella for the Fox, while Monique Ashe-Palmer is the Cat.

West End performer Nicholas McLean completes the line-up as Jiminy Cricket.

Evil duo, The Fox and the Cat, to be played by Sarah Pearson as the Fox and Monique Ashe-Palmer as the CatEvil duo, The Fox and the Cat, to be played by Sarah Pearson as the Fox and Monique Ashe-Palmer as the Cat (Image: Mike Simmonds) Ewan, who also appeared in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Alhambra, said: “I’m really excited, I’ve never seen Pinocchio as a panto before. I’m looking forward to find out what elements of the story we’ve got. 

“Pinocchio, because he's experiencing everything for the first time, he's just open and happy to be there and just excited, a bit like me. I'm looking forward to bringing that to it. Everything that happens to him - he goes through a lot, it gets quite dark - but he kind of never loses hope. That’s a lovely thing to bring through the show.”

Ewan, who also appeared in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Alhambra, as Pinocchio in 2024's panto at The AlhambraEwan, who also appeared in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Alhambra, as Pinocchio in 2024's panto at The Alhambra (Image: Mike Simmonds) Ewan, who is considering swapping traditional turkey for curry on Christmas day, said he is excited to lead the city into its cultural year.

The season also takes place during the Alhambra’s 110th year.

He said: “It’ll be so nice to experience that buzz and I can already feel it."

West End performer Nicholas McLean completes the line-up as Jiminy CricketWest End performer Nicholas McLean completes the line-up as Jiminy Cricket (Image: Mike Simmonds) Speaking about the importance of experiencing culture at a young age, Ewan said: “It gives you that bit of magic - there’s something about culture where you can recognise elements of yourself in it. If you feel a bit different you feel like you belong in that world.

“Panto, there’s just a guarantee you’re going to have a magical experience and a good time. It just brings a bit of light to darker days."

The new pantomime marks a first for Yorkshire theatre icon, Billy Pearce, who has never appeared in Pinocchio.

Billy Pearce as toymaker GeppettoBilly Pearce as toymaker Geppetto (Image: Mike Simmonds) “It’s a new adventure for me,” he said.

“I have been lucky."

Speaking about what makes a panto special, he said: “There’s no better sound than kids laughing, it’s a wonderful sound. Nowadays, there’s that much trouble in the world, it’s great to hear people laughing. People can forget how to laugh sometimes. My job is to make them forget their problems for a couple of hours."

Starting at £18.75 (inclusive of booking fees), you can buy tickets by calling the Box Office on 01274 432000 or visiting www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

Pinocchio is being produced by Crossroads Pantomimes.