Cast announcement: Grand Opera House York have found their Peter Pan

Christmas in York is about to take flight, as UK Productions and Grand Opera House York are elated to announce West End star Joe Sleight as Peter Pan in the upcoming pantomime, The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook.

Joe will return to the Grand Opera House stage as the boy who never grew up, bringing charm, energy, mischief and theatrical magic to one of York’s biggest and brightest festive experiences.

Joe returns to the Grand Opera House York following an unforgettable run as Eddie in Blood Brothers, and now swaps the emotional power of one of theatre’s most beloved musicals for the magic, adventure and youthful spirit of Peter Pan. 

Joe’s previous theatre credits include: Boq in Wicked (Apollo Victoria Theatre, West End); Roger & 1st Cover Pongo in 101 Dalmatians (Eventim Apollo Hammersmith, West End); Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Middle Temple Hall, London); Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk (Aylesbury Waterside Theatre); Rudolph and Puppetry Director in Rudolph the Reindeer’s Red nose Roadshow (The Bolton Octagon); Jack in Jack and the Beanstalk for UK Productions (Floral Pavilion, New Brighton); Prince Charming in Cinderella for St Helens Theatre Royal (2022/23); Peter Pan in Peter Pan for Qdos/ Crossroads Entertainment (Dartford Orchard Theatre, Royal & Derngate Theatre, Plymouth Theatre Royal and Wycombe Swan in High Wycombe); Dandini in Cinderella (Towngate Theatre); The Russian in Chess (Union Theatre, London); Roger in Grease (Yvonne Arnaud Theatre); Benji in Benji The Fish the children’s musical (UK tour) and the international and Chinese tour of JunNk the percussion musical.

Joe says: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be returning to York and to the beautiful Grand Opera House after such an unforgettable run as Eddie in Blood Brothers. York audiences are incredibly special, and I can’t wait to be back on that stage for something completely different, full of magic, mischief and adventure. This time I’m swapping school ties for fairy dust, and stepping into the role of Peter Pan is a real pinch-me moment. It’s a story filled with imagination, heart and the joy of never growing up, and I can’t wait to fly into Neverland with audiences this Christmas. Bring on the magic!”

Theatre Director Allie Long is thrilled to welcome Joe back to the Grand Opera House stage. “We can’t wait to see Joe’s Peter Pan. I can’t wait to witness all of Peter’s antics as Joe joins Holly, Jimmy and Joe in what is shaping up to be a fantastic ensemble cast for the lucky Grand Opera House York audiences.”

Joe joins a blockbuster Grand Opera House York line-up led by musical theatre and television favourite Tom Lister, the hugely popular Emmerdale star and celebrated stage performer whose credits include 42nd Street, Calamity Jane and Legally Blonde, as the dastardly Captain Hook. Returning audience favourite Jimmy Bryant is back as Smee after delighting York audiences as Buttons in last year’s Cinderella, while Nick Jr favourite Holly Atterton brings sass, sparkle and fairy-dust magic as Tinker Bell. With Joe bringing youthful adventure and high-flying charisma as Peter Pan, Tom bringing villainous swagger, Jimmy bringing comedy gold and Holly adding magical sparkle, this is a cast built to give York families a Christmas panto to remember.

UK Productions Ltd. Producer, Martin Dodd said: “We’re thrilled to welcome the brilliant Joe Sleight to the Grand Opera House, York as our ever-youthful Peter Pan! With bucketloads of charisma and energy, he’s sure to soar to new heights and win hearts along the way. Get your tickets before they fly away!”

The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook plays at Sat 5 Dec 2026 – Sun 3 Jan 2027. Tickets are available here.