PICTURES: Peter Pan flying in for Horsham’s panto season

JPCT 301313 S13430944x Peter Pan. Panto. The Capitol, Horsham -photo by Steve Cobb

Steven Arnold, who played the part of Ashley Peacock in the iconic ITV soap opera, will star in the production of Peter Pan in The Capitol this winter.

Steven will portray the part of Smee - Captain Hook’s right hand man.

He said: “Pantomime is one of the best times of the year - it is Christmas time, good fun and a good laugh.

“There is no better sound on Earth than hearing children laugh - that is what it is all about.”

Steven, 38, has appeared in three pantomimes prior to Peter Pan, but is a television veteran having spent 14 years on ‘The Street’.

He was speaking at a cast photo shoot in the Capitol earlier today (Wednesday October 30).

He said: “It is a totally different contrast to television - you have to be bigger on stage.

“I absolutely love doing pantomime, and Peter Pan is a classic.

“They are going to get a great, original story when they come to the theatre and walk away with a big smile on their face - that is what we will hopefully achieve.”

Playing the lead role of Peter Pan is Benjamin Pomeroy, 21, who will fly through the Horsham theatre as part of the performance.

Benjamin is currently performing in the UK tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, playing Joseph’s younger brother Benjamin.

He said: “It is going to be so much fun - I can’t wait to get started.

“I have never flown before! “Expect a lot of fun and a lot of flying.”

The Capitol has produced a series of high quality pantomimes in recent years, and the task of organising this year’s performance has fallen to the new general manager.

Nick Mowat, who joined the theatre earlier this year, has written, produced and directed the show, and said he is ‘excited’ by the show.

He added: “I am a little bit nervous, but I am more excited because I think we have got a really ‘wow’ show for people, with a terrific cast including quite a lot of local children which I think is very important.

“I have done many pantomimes over the years, but this is my first in Horsham. “It will be family friendly - nobody will come and be offended - and it has been a joy to adapt.”

Nick added that the show includes the acclaimed illusionists The Twins, who will produce ‘something I don’t think has ever been done in Peter Pan before’.

The evil Captain Hook will be played by James Dinsmore, with a band of pirates set to contribute to the laughs.