A spectacular pantomime performance of Peter Pan featuring former Emmerdale star Matt Healy is among the highlights of an action-packed autumn and winter season at Shrewsbury’s Theatre Severn.

Cellist Julian Lloyd Webber, rock star Midge Ure, singers The Fron Male Voice Choir and soulmen The Drifters will also appear while bumper productions of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, starring Susan Hampshire, are also planned.

Wayne Sleep will star in Cabaret, there will be performances from comedians like Rhod Gilbert, Stephen Amos and award-nominated Adam Hills, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra will play two concerts and the Russian State Ballet Academy of Perm will also appear.

Other highlights include appearances by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, who are also starring at Ludlow Festival and were made famous in the hit film Brassed Off.

Excited

There will also be music from bands playing tribute to Queen and The Eagles while leading folk stars Oysterband and Chris Woods will headline concerts.

Theatre Severn spokeswoman Jan Edmondson said the venue was excited about the attractions planned in coming months.

There will be a six-night run of the West End’s biggest comedy hit Alan Ayckbourn’s Absurd Person Singular. Veteran blues and jazz singer Elkie Brooks will play a one-off show and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is due to play a programme of British classics.

Mrs Edmondson said Peter Pan would run from December 8 to January 3 and feature Matt Healy as Captain Hook, with Dean Winters as Smee.

She said: “We are delighted to welcome Dean Winters, who will bring tears of laughter as Captain Hook’s silly sidekick.”

Tickets are available by calling (01743) 281281.

By Andy Richardson