Theatre Royal Winchester has announced the cast of this year’s pantomime, Dick Whittington – which tells the story of a man who seeks his fortune in a London tormented by rats.

The title role of Dick Whittington will be played by actor, Ed Thorpe – who returns to the Winchester stage after previously appearing as Wally in last year’s pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, and in 2017 as Smee in Peter Pan. Smee was Ed’s his first ever pantomime role and one that earned him a nomination in the Great British Pantomime Awards for Best Song Sheet performance.

He will be joined by actor, Julian Eardley, who will star as Dame Dolly Dumpling. Julian is a familiar face around the city, with this year marking his tenth year as the theatre’s pantomime dame. He has a wealth of acting experience including performing around the world with the likes of Vienna’s English Theatre and in a BBC Radio 4 sitcom with comedy legend, June Whitfield.

The villain will once again be played by Kristopher Milnes – who was Bouffon in last year’s Beauty and the Beast. Kristopher first appeared as a young Scrooge in The Muppet’s Christmas Carol before taking to the stage in Les Miserables, as well as on TV’s Casualty, My Family – and more.

Also starring is Jessie Angell, who celebrates her pantomime debut as The Cat. Newly graduated, Jessie has already performed at London’s Regents Park Open Air Theatre and the Royal Albert Hall.

Joanna Brown appears as the love interest, Alice Fitzwarren, and has worked with some of the UK’s best known touring theatre companies including Oddsocks Productions and Scamp Theatre.

Dick Whittington will be at Theatre Royal Winchester from Saturday November 30 2019 – Sunday January 5 2020.

Tickets online at: www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk. Alternatively, call the box office on: 01962 840440

Photo: Julian Eardley and Ed Thorpe in last year’s Beauty and the Beast. Taken by The Other Richard