You want to play games? You play them with me!
Iconic East End Bad Boy, Phil Mitchell is joining the cast of Beauty and the Beast in this year’s family pantomime.
Steve McFadden will be swapping pint mugs for teapots in the Derngate show this year.
He’ll appear as the boo-able panto baddie that everyone loves to hate, and NorthantsMag predicts he is sure to be a crowd-puller.
Steve has been on our screens in EastEnders for over 36 years, receiving accolades including the British Soap Award for Outstanding Achievement.
Building on the success of last year’s smash hit, The All New Adventures of Peter Pan, and 2024’s Cinderella, which won an award for Best Choreography at the UK Pantomime Awards, Royal & Derngate are pleased to be continuing their ongoing partnership with Evolution Productions.
A family business run by husband and wife Paul Hendy and Emily Wood, Evolution are delighted to have won Pantomime of the Year at the UK Pantomime Awards in 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2025.
Holly Gladwell, Royal & Derngate’s Deputy CEO (Programming and Producing), said: “We’re delighted to have Steve McFadden joining our panto cast this year, and to be working with the same fantastic team that have made our pantomimes such a success over the last five years. Christmas is such a special time of year and it’s always a joy to see so many children introduced to the magic of theatre.”
Emily Wood added: “We’re thrilled the brilliant Steve McFadden will star in Beauty and the Beast. Steve is not only a TV legend and genuine national treasure, but he’s also a superb pantomime baddie. We know Royal & Derngate audiences are going to love him in what promises to be a spectacular show that’s definitely not to be missed.”
Beauty and the Beast will run from Friday 4 to Thursday 31 December. Tickets – priced from just £14* – can be booked online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk/beauty-and-the-beast or by calling Box Office on 01604 624811. Concessions, Groups, Schools and Members discounts are available. A range of access enhanced performances will be on offer including Captioned, Audio Described, BSL Interpreted and Relaxed performances. Pre-show afternoon teas are also available for selected performances for a truly magical festive outing.