OH yes it is that time of year again when Basildon welcomes back what promises to be "another award winning Christmas panto" to its main theatre stage.

The Panto Adventures of Peter Pan will be swashbuckling its way to the Towngate Theatre, with stage and screen actress Sophie Ladds playing the part of baddie Captain Hook.

Sophie,who had roles in popular TV shows such as Eastenders and Silent Witness, said she is thrilled to back on stage and working again with Basildon favourite Simon Fielding, who this year will be swapping performing for directing and co-producing.

The panto opens next week on Wednesday November 23 until Monday January 2.

Simon said: "We have been working on The Adventures of Peter Pan since January 2021 and it promises to be another award-winning show. Our musical numbers are shaping up to be more spectacular than ever, the comedy routines even funnier and we are taking our Towngate panto magic far beyond the reach of anywhere we’ve been before!.

"Whilst I will not be performing this year, I will continue to be the production’s co-producer and director and alongside the same incredible team of talented creative geniuses, we will be creating the same unique Towngate experience, which our audiences have come to know and love.

"What better pantomime than the magical Panto Adventures of Peter Pan for me to hang up my tap shoes and watch the fabulously frightening Sophie Ladds as she dazzles us as Captain Hook?”

Essex-based Sophie is a much-loved performer in the Towngate’s pantomimes, winning rave reviews from both audiences and critics alike, and earning two Best Villain nominations at the Great British Pantomime Awards for her multi-talented performances.

Speaking of playing Captain Hook, Sophie said: "I started performing in panto at the Towngate 14 years ago. If you had told me then I would be playing the role of Captain Hook, I wouldn’t have believed you.

"This is what I love about the Towngate. Although they keep tradition at the heart of the panto, they are not afraid to look at beyond what’s expected.

"Everyone needs to come watch The Panto Adventures of Peter Pan, to see just how naughty my Hook will be! I can tell you that I’m going to put everything into giving our audiences the best performance I possibly can."

After winning the hearts of the audiences as Dame Dolly Dumpling in Beauty and the Beast, Ian Hallard will be popping on his fabulous frocks once again to play the role of Mrs Smee this year.

Harvey Zaffino will give a "cheeky" performance of Peter Pan, while Hannah Taylor will play Wendy, Antonia Luisa-Clarke as mischievous Tinkerbelle and Michael Loftus as silly Wibbles.

Towngate Theatre Manager, Simon Scott-Pearce said: "The Panto Adventures of Peter Pan is the most magical of all pantomimes, and the whole Towngate team are so excited to bring this incredible production to Basildon this festive season.

"This year’s panto is currently breaking all Box Office records with over 23,000 people already booked. We would strongly recommend that audiences secure their seats without delay, as this is on-track to be our most successful panto ever."

Book online at towngatetheatre.co.uk or call the box office on 01268 205 300.