Full cast revealed for Rapunzel Christmas pantomime at Storyhouse Chester
Storyhouse Chester has announced the full cast for its Christmas pantomime, Rapunzel (Image: Storyhouse Chester)
Storyhouse has announced the full cast for its Christmas pantomime, Rapunzel, promising "big beats, big hair and big fun".
The festive show will run at the Chester venue from December 4 to January 3, 2027, as part of the Storyhouse Originals programme.
The cast is led by Charlie Mae McKevitt in the title role, joined by Alicia Aquino, Savannah Beckford, James Colebrook, Jessica Dennis, Tasha Dowd, John Holt Roberts, Andy Owens, and Eleni Papaioannou.
Suzie Henderson, creative director at Storyhouse, said: "Christmas is a time of magic and wonder for children, for whom pantomime is often their first — exhilarating — experience of live performance.
"So I'm delighted that, following the success of last year's Beauty and the Beast, we have another absolute treat waiting in the wings for our family audiences this season.
"Anne Odeke's bold and exciting adaptation of Rapunzel is packed with delights, and now we can also reveal the multi-talented cast who are ready to let their hair down in the rehearsal room and create something magical and memorable for Chester theatregoers of all ages this season."
Charlie Mae McKevitt trained at Italia Conti and her credits include The MGM Story at Hope Mill Theatre, Cinderella at Shakespeare North Playhouse, and Red or Dead at Liverpool’s Royal Court.
Alicia Aquino, who plays Gretel, studied at the Urdang Academy and has appeared as Princess Jasmine in Aladdin for both Jordan Productions and Scarlett Entertainment.
Savannah Beckford takes on the role of Fairy Oggy. She studied performance in New York and trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts.
James Colebrook, appearing as Prince Iver, trained at Laine Theatre Arts and has performed in Jock Night at Hope Mill Theatre and Game Night at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Jessica Dennis plays Fairy Gothel/Segal and brings extensive theatre experience, including roles in Macbeth (PSF), Jack and the Beanstalk (Watford Palace Theatre), and The Merchant of Venice: 1936 (RSC, West End and national tour).
Her screen credits include EastEnders, Murder Maps, and The Other Mother.
Tasha Dowd appears as Sam and returns to Storyhouse after previous roles in Macbeth and Cinderella.
John Holt Roberts, cast as King Marrow/Captain Pirate, trained at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts and also appeared in Cinderella in 2023.
Andy Owens, who plays Royal Trumpeter/PC Clue/Dave the Pirate, has stage credits including Who Let the Gods Out? at Polka Theatre and Blood Brothers on the UK tour.
Eleni Papaioannou, who studied at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, appears as Mrs Wand/Oink/Butler/Vicar/Pirate Colin.
The production is written by Anne Odeke and directed by Gemma Fairlie, with set design by Carla Goodman.
Lighting is by Charly Dunford, and composer and sound designer is Ernie Acquah.
Movement direction and choreography is by Sundeep Saini, and aerial direction by Vicki Amedume.
The Storyhouse adaptation is described as fast, funny, and filled with dazzling dance routines, magical mischief, and a soundtrack of popular hits.
Tickets are on sale now, starting from £17.70 for Storyhouse Members.
More information is available at www.storyhouse.com.