The full panto cast took flight this week.

The cast of this year’s Sunderland Empire panto say they want audiences hooked with some gravity-defying flying scenes, swashbuckling sword fights and a sprinkling of fairy magic.

Cast members Millie Readshaw, Sophie Bishop, Bradley Riches, Tom Whalley, Miss Rory and Olivia Birchenough from the Sunderland Empire’s production of Peter Pan pictured during their visit to HMS Trincomalee at the Royal Navy Museum in Hartlepool | David Wood

placeholder image — Cast members Millie Readshaw, Sophie Bishop, Bradley Riches, Tom Whalley, Miss Rory and Olivia Birchenough from the Sunderland Empire’s production of Peter Pan pictured during their visit to HMS Trincomalee at the Royal Navy Museum in Hartlepool | David Wood

Peter Pan officially took flight this week as it sell sail with a launch at Royal Navy Museums Hartlepool.

The panto cast dropped anchor on the HMS Trincomalee in full costume as they promise a host of festive swashbuckling fun.

Performing as the boy who never grew up is Emmerdale favourite and Heartstopper star, Bradley Riches as Peter Pan, with Miss Rory (from cabaret club Boulevard) as Captain Rorina Hook and her sidekick Tom Whalley as Smee.

Bradley Riches as Peter Pan pictured with Miss Rory as Captain Rorina Hook during the event on board HMS Trincomalee at the Royal Navy Museum in Hartlepool Picture: David Wood | David Wood

The pair are back for a seventh year at the Empire by popular demand and will also be joined by Channel 5 Milkshake! presenter Olivia Birchenough as Ethel Mermaid and Millie Readshaw as Tinkerbell.

Middlesbrough-born Millie, who is well-known on TikTok, said: “I am beyond excited to be back in my wings at Sunderland Empire this Christmas. I am so grateful to be back performing on the stage my 13-year-old self dreamed of. Come join us for a very magical Christmas.”

The cast is completed by the reveal of newcomer Sophie Bishop who will be making her professional pantomime debut starring as the adventurous Emily Darling.

Sophie said: “I am absolutely thrilled to make my professional pantomime debut in The Further Adventures of Peter Pan at the iconic Sunderland Empire. My stage journey began in a pantomime when I was ten years old, so returning to this magical tradition as a professional is a true dream come true.”

The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook is at Sunderland Empire from Friday 11 December 2026 – Sunday 3 January 2027. Tickets and book online now at ATGTickets.com/Sunderland