Mansfield Palace Theatre Panto full line up revealed

With almost 70% of tickets already sold for this year’s festive family treat, Mansfield Palace Theatre are excited to share full casting news for their 2024 pantomime production of Aladdin.

Headlining the cast this Christmas is James Mackenzie who will be playing the character you’ll love to hate, Abanazar. James is best known for his role as Raven in the multi BAFTA award winning CBBC series of the same name. In the last few years, he has also been introduced to a whole new generation as James in the smash hit CBeebies series, Molly and Mack. James says:

“I’m absolutely delighted to be appearing at Mansfield Palace Theatre for this year’s production of Aladdin. Oh yes I am! I can’t wait to see what mischief I can get up to with Mansfield’s favourite funny man, Adam Moss. Let the challenge begin!”

James has worked for many theatre companies including The National Theatre of Scotland and has performed all over the UK in everything from Macbeth to Sunshine On Leith the Musical. He has been a regular in BBC Scotland soap opera River City, has had guest appearances in Still Game and Outlander and of course, like most Scottish actors, James has been in Taggart - more than once!

Taking the role of Widow Twankey will be UK Productions’ panto favourite, Ben Harlow. Away from pantomime, you may have seen Ben as the UPS Guy in the UK and Ireland tour of Legally Blonde, Sam Carmichael in the smash-hit ABBA musical, Mamma Mia, or Gaston in the original international tour of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

Mansfield regular, comedian Adam Moss is back playing Wishee Washee. Adam has been a permanent festive fixture at the Palace Theatre for over a decade but this is the first time he will appear in his favourite panto He says:

“I can't wait to be back at Mansfield for this year's panto, and after 11 years you might, just might see me learn the script! What a fantastic cast of people we have this year, and wait until you meet my mum - what a looker! See you later gang....”

Paolo Micallef who will be taking the title role of Aladdin. Paolo is a graduate of Momentum Performing Arts Academy in London, where he earned a first class honours degree in Performing Arts from West London University. Fresh off his first contract as a lead solo singer aboard the AIDA Cosma, Paolo brings extensive stage experience from iconic venues in Malta and the UK. He has played diverse leading roles such as Curly McLain in Oklahoma!, Vittorio Vidal in Sweet Charity, and The Baker in Into the Woods. His dynamic performances in these productions underscore his versatility in the theatre world.

Mairi Ikegami, who trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, plays the role of Princess Jasmine. Her theatre credits include appearances in Your Lie in April at the Harold Pinter Theatre in London’s West End and Woven: A New Musical at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Aladdin will be Shannon Farrell’s second pantomime and she says: “I’m so excited to be playing Spirit of the Ring who, chained to their duties, still has the people of Mansfield mesmerised this Christmas”. Shannon received a BA(Hons) in Musical Theatre from PPAcademy and during her time there, appeared in Betty Blue Eyes, Bare and Sweeney Todd. Since earning her degree, she has appeared on stage in Aladdin at Marlowe Theatre and Betty Blue Eyes at Union Theatre.  

Shahar Mizrahi will be the Genie. He started his training at Miskin Theatre and then developed his passion at Bird College Conservatoire for Dance and Musical Theatre where he gained a BA Honours. His previous credits include Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs; Bare the Musical; Captain Morgan’s commercial and most recently he played Aladdin at the Met Theatre in Manchester.

Completing our line up, is Mark Peachey as Emperor. His television credits include Jordan Cooper in Hollyoaks (Channel 4) and Books That Made Britain and Inside Out (both BBC). His extensive theatre credits include roles in The Wizard of Oz (Leicester Curve), Dear Evan Hansen (Noel Coward, West End), The Lion King (UK and Ireland tour), We’re Going On A Bear Hunt (UK tour and Hong Kong), Mr Stink (UK Tour), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (UK and Ireland Tour), and The Gruffalo (UK tour).

If you want to secure tickets to see Aladdin head to mansfieldpalace.co.uk or visit the Box Office on Leeming Street. You can also call the box office team on 01623 463133.