Manchester Panto | Christmas 2026
The countdown is on: there are just four weeks to go until Dick Whittington opens at Opera House Manchester. Jason Manford takes the title role and Ben Nickless is Tommy the Cat in this Crossroads Pantomimes production, running from Saturday 5 December 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, with tickets from £15. Here are five reasons to make it your family’s festive treat.
1. Jason Manford is back on home turf
Salford-born Jason Manford plays Dick Whittington, and few performers have a stronger connection with Manchester audiences. He has hosted Children in Need, The Olivier Awards, Sunday Night at the Palladium and the Royal Variety Performance, and has fronted BBC One’s Big Night of Musicals for the last five years. On stage he has starred in Sweeney Todd, The Producers, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Guys and Dolls, Curtains and The Wizard of Oz. In June he returned to Opera House Manchester for the UK premiere of the comedy musical Something Rotten!. He also played more than 230 shows on his A Manford All Seasons tour in 2025/26, so he is in fine comic form.
2. Ben Nickless makes it eight in a row
Rochdale’s Ben Nickless plays Tommy the Cat and returns to Opera House Manchester for an eighth consecutive year. He won the nation over on ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent in 2022, winning his semi-final with his quick-fire impressions and reaching the grand final. He has previously won Best Comic at the Great British Pantomime Awards and has shared the stage with names including David Hasselhoff, Craig Revel Horwood and Alexandra Burke. His partnership with Jason is a big part of why this panto is such a fixture. He will also bring his own play, Trouble With Kids, to Manchester in February 2027.
3. Favourite faces return to the cast
Adam Strong plays the villainous King Rat, bringing credits including Frank-N-Furter in The Rocky Horror Show and Jafar in Disney’s Aladdin on tour. Landi Oshinowo is The Spirit of Bow Bells, with a CV that includes Deloris van Cartier in Sister Act and Mrs Phelps in Matilda the Musical. Dublin-born Sarah Vaughan plays Alice Fitzwarren, having previously starred as Cinderella and Maid Marion at the Opera House. All three are making a welcome return to the theatre this Christmas. They are joined by Joseph Barlow, Ashton Coe, Ariel David, Melissa Fletcher, Scarlett Hogan, Rikki Jay, Bethany Lyttle, Macy Page and Harry Pepler.
4. Palladium-standard sets and costumes
The production promises lavish sets and costumes direct from the London Palladium, so expect plenty of sparkle on stage. The story follows our hero and his trusty cat on a quest for fame, fortune and happiness as he sets his sights on becoming Lord Mayor. Along the way there is laugh-out-loud comedy and plenty of boos and hisses for King Rat. It is packed with all the Manchester panto traditions that keep families coming back. Gary Lloyd directs and choreographs, with a creative team that includes lighting designer Nick Richings and sound designer Chris Whybrow.
5. A live band and tickets from £15
The music is played live, with Gary Hind as musical supervisor and Kelvin Towse as musical director on keys. He is joined by Alastair McMath on bass guitar, Katie Parker on tenor sax and flute, Gavin Hibberd on trumpet and flugelhorn and Sophie Hastings on drums and percussion. Tickets are on sale now from £15, which makes it an accessible festive outing for families. The run spans the whole Christmas holiday, from early December into the new year. Book soon for the best choice of dates and seats.
Tickets and info
Dick Whittington
Opera House Manchester, 3 Quay Street, Manchester M3 3HP
Saturday 5 December 2026 – Sunday 3 January 2027
Tickets from £15