Theatre Royal Plymouth welcomes first panto junior ensemble in four years

Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP) has reintroduced a children’s ensemble to its pantomime for the first time since the pandemic. 

The chosen young people, aged between 7 – 10, are taking centre stage in Goldilocks and the Three Bears, which runs until Saturday 13 January. 

Out of the 80 who auditioned, sixteen children were selected. The talented youngsters will be split into two teams of eight to appear alternately in the pantomime alongside Strictly Come Dancing’s Brendan Cole, double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes and Coronation Street’s Alexandra Mardell.

The children’s ensemble has long been a staple of the pantomime, but restrictions and safety measures stemming from the pandemic saw the majority of UK theatres pause the junior cast. Theatre Royal Plymouth is now proud to have reintroduced a full company to its production.  

CEO and Executive Producer at Theatre Royal Plymouth James Mackenzie-Blackman said: “Our pantomime has family at its heart and that’s why it is such a celebration to once again welcome our rising stars, from across Plymouth and the South West, to our show.” 

Jo McCarthy, Head Chaperone, said: “After three years of local children not being able to perform in the pantomime, it is wonderful to be back watching them experience the magic and excitement of performing on the Theatre Royal Plymouth stage.”

The ensemble, Brendan, Dame Kelly and Alexandra are joined by Britain's Got Talent finalist Steve Hewlett, TV comedian Adam C Booth and Plymouth’s homegrown West End star, Samuel Holmes.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears is a modern take on the children’s story produced by the world’s biggest pantomime producer, Crossroads Pantomimes. Audiences can expect the usual pantomime fun as Goldilocks attempts to save her circus from an evil rival circus owner with the help of daddy bear, mummy bear, baby bear and her motley circus crew.