Blue Peter presenter and Tik Tok star to appear in Sleeping Beauty at The Atkinson

Blue Peter presenter and Tik Tok sensation, Joel M, will star in this year's pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, at The Atkinson in Southport.

This year’s production from Friday 6th December to Tuesday 31st promises to deliver a magical and unforgettable experience for the whole family, with Joel M bringing his unique blend of magic, humour and charisma, to the stage.

Star performance
Joel will bring his distinctive style of magic and his engaging stage presence to the role of Presto the Court Jester in the festive performance, created by KD Theatre Productions. Known for his captivating performances on Blue Peter and his viral TikTok videos, Joel's involvement ensures that this pantomime will be a spellbinding treat for audiences of all ages.

Joel said: “I’m so excited to be appearing in my first ever pantomime, it’s going to be great fun! I have always loved watching pantomimes and getting caught up in all the festive fun so to be in one will just be amazing. I am looking forward to spending the run up to Christmas in Southport and getting to know the audiences and entertaining them with some of my tricks and illusions.

“A panto is a really good chance for the audience to switch off and get caught up in the festive spirit – a couple of hours of singing, booing and spending time with family and friends. I can’t wait to be part of that!”

Popular line-up
Joel will be joined by an impressive cast, including Terry Burns who was a hit with the Southport crowd last Christmas when he played Dame Trott in Jack and the Beanstalk. Samantha Richards, fresh from the Zog and the Flying Doctors UK Tour, will play Princess Beauty. The side-splitting James Stirling steps into the role of The King and the devilishly brilliant Coral Mourant will play the villain, Carabosse.

Marie Kenny, Programme Manager at The Atkinson, said: “We are delighted to welcome KD Theatre Productions back for this year’s panto as they were a real hit with the audiences last year.

“Families and communities from across Sefton come together at The Atkinson to enjoy our traditional Christmas pantomime, and it’s a privilege to welcome them into our Theatre.

“We are sure that people will love Sleeping Beauty and all the fun that it brings to the Festive period.”

Open for all
The Atkinson and KD Theatre Productions are committed to making theatre accessible to everyone. This year’s pantomime will feature relaxed and captioned performances to ensure that everyone can enjoy the magic of live theatre in a comfortable and accommodating environment.

Sleeping Beauty promises laughter, wonder, and a touch of magic for the entire family. The traditional family panto, based in Southportopia, will transport the audience to a winter wonderland where a beautiful princess awaits her true love’s kiss to wake her from a deep slumber. But, the wicked fairy has other ideas and will be booed and hissed at while we wait to see if the prince will triumph.

Memorable experience
Daniel Bell, Managing Director at KD Theatre Productions said: “We are thrilled to be back at The Atkinson for the second year running and to have Joel M join us for this year’s production.

"His incredible talent and connection with audiences make him the perfect fit for our show. We are sure that this will be an enchanting experience that families will cherish."

The pantomime will once again be written by Daniel Bell, with direction and choreography by Katherine Hickmott. KD Theatre Productions is renowned for delivering high-quality, family-friendly theatrical performances. With a commitment to inclusivity and entertainment, KD Theatre Productions brings stories to life on stage, creating memorable experiences for audiences of all ages.

Tickets are available on The Atkinson website.