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ENEMIES: Will Peter Pan – played by Bury beauty Gemma Atkinson – triumph over John Thomson’s evil Captain Hook?
PANTO: Peter Pan, Opera House, from Sat 6 Dec
Angela Kelly3/12/2008
GET ready to have your buckles swashed and your imagination stretched – Peter Pan flies in to the Opera House from Saturday!
It’s a traditional star-studded production of one of the nation’s favourite pantos with Bury’s Gemma Atkinson (Hollyoaks, I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!) a very pretty Peter Pan and Cold Feet’s John Thomson as a suitably devilish Captain Hook.
Timeless panto favourite Gary Wilmot plays his right-hook man, Smee, and there’s more than a little kung fu to help Peter’s battles courtesy of Britain’s Got Talent finalists Strike. Key 103’s Milkshake presenter Jen Pringle and Karen West also appear.
This fantasy-filled family production about the little boy who refused to grow up, and his adventures with the Darling family in Neverland promises to be a Christmas highlight, with pirates, fairies, amazing creatures and real entertainment. Gemma said: "I’ve been asked to do panto quite a few times but each year it’s always been based in London.
"I’m a typical family girl and the thought of being away at Christmas didn’t really appeal to me, so when this one came about I jumped at it because I’m literally 15 minutes down the road.
"It’s my first live theatre, so it’s a bit nerve-wracking. When I did Soapstar Superstar that was a live audience and was petrifying but I think this will be more fun. It’s not like I’m exposing myself – I’m playing a character and my family are all going to come and watch. I think once I see their faces I’ll be fine."
Peter Pan runs until Sunday, January 4. For tickets ring 0870 401 9000 or see www.manchesteroperahouse.org.uk.
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