NEWS: FOUR WEEKS UNTIL DICK WHITTINGTON OPENS AT MANCHESTER OPERA HOUSE AS FULL CAST IS REVEALED

The countdown is on for Manchester’s Christmas pantomime, with just four weeks until Dick Whittington opens at the Opera House. Jason Manford and Ben Nickless lead the cast of the Crossroads Pantomimes production, which runs from Saturday 5 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027.

The festive adventure follows Dick Whittington and his trusty cat on a quest for fame, fortune and happiness, with Dick hoping to become Lord Mayor. Audiences can expect familiar pantomime comedy, boos and hisses, and lavish sets and costumes from the London Palladium.

Dick Whittington Manchester: Jason Manford and Ben Nickless Lead the Cast

Salford-born comedian and musical theatre performer Jason Manford takes the title role of Dick Whittington. His stage credits include Sweeney Todd, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Producers and The Wizard of Oz, and he returned to Opera House Manchester earlier this year for Something Rotten!.

Rochdale-born Ben Nickless returns to Opera House Manchester for an eighth consecutive pantomime season, this time playing Tommy the Cat. The Britain's Got Talent finalist is known for his quick-fire impressions and has previously won Best Comic at the Great British Pantomime Awards.

Full Cast Announced

Joining the leading pair are Adam Strong as the villainous King Rat, Landi Oshinowo as the Spirit of Bow Bells and Sarah Vaughan as Alice Fitzwarren. All three are returning to the Opera House for this year’s festive production.

Strong’s musical theatre credits include The Rocky Horror Show, We Will Rock You and Disney’s Aladdin. Oshinowo has appeared in Sister Act, Matilda the Musical and Shrek the Musical, while Vaughan has previously performed in Cinderella and Robin Hood at Opera House Manchester.

The company also includes Joseph Barlow, Ashton Coe, Ariel David, Melissa Fletcher, Scarlett Hogan, Rikki Jay, Bethany Lyttle, Macy Page and Harry Pepler.

A Look Behind the Scenes

New photographs from the cast's costume photoshoot offer an early glimpse of the colourful characters preparing for this year's pantomime. The images show performers getting ready backstage and posing together in costume.

Photographs: Phil Tragen.

Creative Team

Dick Whittington is produced by Crossroads Pantomimes, with direction and choreography by Gary Lloyd, assistant choreography by Lauren Gore and fight direction by Lisa Connell. Nick Richings designs the lighting, Chris Whybrow the sound and Ed Curtis serves as creative consultant.

Gary Hind is musical supervisor, with Kelvin Towse as musical director and on keys. The live band also features Alastair McMath, Katie Parker, Gavin Hibberd and Sophie Hastings.

Dates and Tickets

Dick Whittington runs at Opera House Manchester, 3 Quay Street, Manchester M3 3HP, from Saturday 5 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. Tickets are on sale from £15.

Book tickets: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/dick-whittington-pantomime/opera-house-manchester/