St Helens Theatre Royal's Christmas panto set to sparkle

Pop legend and West End star Maureen will play the Wicked Queen while Emrhys, who is currently appearing on TV screens as Corrie’s Rowan Cunliffe, will take on the role of Prince Fredrick.

The show will run from Saturday, November 30 to Sunday, January 12.

Ready to go

They will be joined by the fairest cast of them all, panto royalty Leanne Campbell who is appearing digitally as the Magic Mirror, outstanding newcomer Chantelle Morgan as Snow White, and St Helens’ favourites Lewis Devine as Muddles and Richard Aucott as Nurse Nelly.

Regal Entertainments Ltd, which stages the hugely popular seasonal shows at the theatre, has also enlisted the help of some very special local legends to voice the roles of the Dwarfs.

The cast are preparing for the panto (Image: David Munn) The magnificent seven  - who do nit appear in person - are comprised of Johnny Vegas, Joel Ross, Pete Price, Philip Regan (Queen of Scotty Road), Craig Phillips, Louis Emerick and John May.

All of those lending their voices are donating their fees to their chosen charities.

The cast will be joined by a superb supporting company of future West End stars from Nazene Danielle’s School of Dance – Dance Dynamix.

Canine performers Doggie Delights also return after being a hit in the Easter Panto.

The Wicked Queen

Maureen Nolan is a member of the legendary Nolans girl group of singing siblings who took the charts by storm in the 1970s and 80s with their hits including the top 3 floor filler I’m in the Mood for Dancing. 

Her many theatre credits include Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers, a role she played for two years in the West End. 

Maureen Nolan stars as The Wicked Queen (Image: David Munn) Actor, singer, dancer and filmmaker Emrhys Cooper plays Prince Fredrick.

Emrhys and Chantelle (Image: David Munn)

Emrhys has been playing cult leader Rowan Cunliffe in Coronation Street. His other screen appearances include, Vincent Wright in CSI: NY, Richard in Desperate Housewives, Young Greer in Person of Interest, and Alistair in Emmy-nominated drama series Vanity, alongside big screen appearances in Bright Young Things.

Snow White

Chantelle Morgan will play the role of Snow White, who was chosen out of 150 hopefuls to join the panto’s starry cast after open auditions were held at the theatre.

Chantelle trained in Musical Theatre at The Urdang and Emil Dale Academy and has been fortunate to share the stage with some well-known artists including Welsh star Luke Evans on BBC’s Luke Evans Show Time. Other credits include Jill in Jack and the Beanstalk (2023), Maid Marion in Robin Hood (2022), Cinderella (2021), Kylar in Bring It On: The Musical (2021), Sister Mary Roberts in Sister Act (2018), and performing alongside Gareth Malone at the opening of Soho House.

'We'll make this Christmas the fairest of them all'

Panto director and St Helens Theatre Manager Chantelle Nolan says: “I’m really excited to welcome the wonderful Maureen Nolan to the Regal Entertainments panto family.

"She was due to appear in our production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Easter 2020, but unfortunately, we all know what happened then. It’s great that she is finally able to join us for some festive fun.

“She’s joined by Corrie’s Emrhys Cooper who I know is going to be a brilliant Prince, while we’ve also got some real St Helens’ favourites in our cast again this Christmas. And then there are our amazing Dwarfs, created by leading West End costume makers and voiced by some of our best-loved stars from closer to home.

“With a brilliant soundtrack, colourful costumes and a stunning stage set, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs promises to make this Christmas the fairest of them all.”