Play to the Crowd – the charity that runs Theatre Royal Winchester – is pleased to announce the cast of this year’s traditional family pantomime, Puss in Boots.
Audiences will be delighted to learn that the theatre’s resident dame, Julian Eardley, returns for his 16th pantomime at the theatre – this year as Dame Dolly Duster. In recent years, Julian has taken the guise of fairy godmother, Fairy Kind Heart, in Cinderella, the title role in Mother Goose and the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz.
Julian is joined once again by his comedy sidekick Liam Watson who last winter played Mother Goose’s son, Jack. In Puss in Boots, Liam will play Colin – a young man with no money and no hope of winning the princess. Liam’s credits include Peter Pan for the award-winning Little Wolf Theatre, and playing David Hemmings in Turning the Screw at King’s Head Theatre in London.
Actor-musician Andrew Wheaton, from Winchester, will also return – after playing Squire Squeezum and a heavenly Elvis in last year’s production – as Colin’s father, the Miller; and Old King Cole. Andrew has performed across the country and around the world including in adaptations of the likes of King Lear, Around The World in 80 Days, Romeo and Juliet, and Me and My Girl.
A new comer to Winchester’s panto, Jess Lobo, will play love interest, Princess Claribelle. Jess’s stage credits include playing Goldilocks and Little Red Riding Hood in the Royal & Derngate’s The Jolly Christmas Postman; and the Stepsister in Sensory Cinders – the West End’s first pantomime created specifically for children with PMLD (profound and multiple learning disabilities).
Joining this year’s cast is also Bekah Selina, who will play Colin’s faithful cat, Puss. Based in Southampton, Bekah has performed at the London Palladium; acted as Assistant Director for a production of Bugsy Malone at the Mayflower Theatre; and during her training starred in adaptations of The Wedding Singer, High School Musical, and Kiss Me Kate.
No panto is complete without a villain and this year the baddie is a wicked sorceress named Fluella Frostbite – to be played by Emma Fenney, from Winchester. Emma’s stage credits include Fawlty Towers The Play (West End), Twelfth Night (Vienna’s English Theatre/Bermuda Festival) and Wuthering Heights (Yvonne Arnaud Theatre/regional tours).
Jack Oliver returns as Colin’s brother Dick, the Ogre, and part of the community ensemble. Since graduating in 2018, Jack has performed in local theatre, films and concerts – with Puss in Boots being his fourth consecutive pantomime at the theatre. Maria Kyriacou will play Colin’s other brother, Tom. Maria will also act as a puppeteer and form part of the community ensemble. Maria has starred in a variety of productions across the UK; plus, taken on screen and voiceover roles.
The cast will be accompanied by a community ensemble of local performers: Lucy Baxter, Becky Dennis, Mazey Rogers, Mia Haimes, Daisy Hicks, Megan Hinton, Rosie Henson, Lila-Grace Dixey, Preston Gritt and Evelyn Biggerstaff.
Puss in Boots tells the story of Colin, the poor Miller’s son. Life is tough for Colin with no money, no job and no chance of impressing the beautiful princess. Until his faithful cat, Puss, proves to be no ordinary feline by turning Colin from zero to hero and their adventures begin. But they’re going to need all the help they can get if Colin’s going to save the day and win the heart of the Princess.
Theatre Royal Winchester’s annual pantomime is suitable for families and is packed with original songs, corny jokes, live music and plenty of audience participation.
Puss in Boots has been written and directed by Robin Belfield, with music by Simon Slater. Robin is a theatre director, writer and educator whose directing credits include the critically acclaimed Twelfth Night and Princess Essex (Shakespeare’s Globe) and Twelfth Night and The Merchant of Venice (RSC). Simon is an Olivier-nominated composer who has composed the music for the last 15 pantomimes at Theatre Royal Winchester. His recent theatre credits include All’s Well That Ends Well (Sam Wanamaker Playhouse) and Turn of the Screw (Hornchurch).
There will be a number of accessible performances of Puss in Boots available, including relaxed, audio-described and BSL-interpreted, and the option to livestream at home – ensuring that all audiences can enjoy the show in an environment right for them.
Puss in Boots is supported by Play to the Crowd’s Corporate Partner, regional law firm, Paris Smith.
Puss in Boots will be at Theatre Royal Winchester from Saturday 29 November 2025 to Sunday 4 January 2026 at various times. For more information, or to book tickets, visit: theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk or call 01962 840 440.
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