Regal Entertainments celebrates a sensational Christmas panto season with 55,000 seats sold

Fabulous festive shows at St Helens and Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre a smash hit with family audiences. Dick Whittington and Cinderella enjoy critical acclaim and five-star reviews.

Cinderella completed its hugely successful run at Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre at the weekend.

And Dick Whittington continues to entertain audiences young and old at St Helens Theatre Royal until this Sunday.

The city region’s leading panto producer was entrusted by managers to stage the first festive pantomime at the Grade II star listed Epstein Theatre after it reopened its doors in April last year.

Family audiences flocked to the historic Hanover Street venue over Christmas, with thousands of theatregoers of all ages enjoying the escapades of Cinders, her Ugly Stepsisters, Prince Charming, Fairy Godmother, Buttons and Dandini.

The spectacular show starred Coronation Street’s Katie McGlynn playing the fairytale heroine, with Liverpool panto royalty Leanne Campbell as the Fairy Godmother and TV favourite Kevin Duala as Buttons.

They appeared alongside the talented Conor Barrie, Michael Nelson, Shania Pain and Brenda LaBeau, and brilliant young performers from Nazene Danielle’s Dance Dynamix.

The production was hailed by reviewers as “a glitter-dusted crowd-pleaser”, “sparkling and wickedly fun”, “joyful and hilarious” and full of “high energy and hi-jinks” while audiences praised its “outstanding cast and performances”.

Meanwhile Emmerdale’s Matthew Wolfenden plays the title role in Dick Whittington. And he is joined on the St Helens Theatre Royal stage by audience favourites Lewis Devine, Timothy Lucas, Chantelle Morgan, Rachael Wood, Jenna Sian O’Hara and Richard Aucott, supported by more talented members of Dance Dynamix.

It is first time in Regal Entertainments’ 25-year history that it has staged The Amazing Adventures of Dick Whittington and Magical His Cat, and many audience members have hailed it as the best pantomime they have ever seen.

The production has also attracted rave five-star reviews, with critics saying it “sets the benchmark of excellence for Merseyside pantomime” and highlighting its “belly-laughs, glitter and glamour” along with the work of the talented cast led by Matthew Wolfenden who is praised for his “oozing charm and warmth of personality”.

Theatregoers in Liverpool and St Helens have voted with their feet, snapping up 55,000 tickets across the two venues, with more than 3,260 people seeing the pair of pantomimes on Christmas Eve alone.

Regal Entertainments Ltd co-director, and director of Dick Whittington, Chantelle Joseph said today: “It’s been an absolutely fantastic Christmas and New Year at both St Helens Theatre Royal and at the Epstein Theatre where we were honoured to be asked to present the first festive pantomime after its reopening.

“Casting, rehearsing and staging two huge pantomimes simultaneously was always going to be a challenge, not least because it was the first time we had presented the story of Dick Whittington. But I’m thrilled with the amazing reaction we have enjoyed from both audiences and reviewers – it makes all the hard work worthwhile.

“The success is down to the dedication and talent not only of our two brilliant casts, but also the creative teams behind both shows, along with fantastic freelancers and the tireless front-of-house staff at St Helens and the Epstein Theatre. Many of those on-stage and backstage are from the Merseyside area, and it’s always been important for us, alongside presenting high-quality shows, to support the local economy and provide local employment.

“Cinderella may have gone to her final ball at the Epstein, but there is still time to catch Dick Whittington at St Helens Theatre Royal with six final performances this weekend.”

Epstein Theatre Director Maureen Bramwell and Manager Stephen Edgerton added: “More than 16,000 people came through our doors for the Cinderella Christmas pantomime, and it was wonderful to see so many happy faces.

“A real highlight was the school shows – the kids absolutely loved it, and there was such a magical atmosphere during those performances.

“After reopening our doors in April, the panto felt like the perfect way to end 2025 at the Epstein Theatre.”

Dick Whittington plays at St Helens Theatre Royal until Sunday 11 January 2026. Tickets are available here.