Winchester's panto dame returns

Julian Eardley, who is well-known for playing our beloved pantomime dame, is back – to star in our 2024/25 traditional family panto, Mother Goose.

Julian's love for the pantomime dame

Julian returns to Winchester to play this year's title role of Mother Goose in his 15th panto at the theatre and his 12th time as our pantomime dame. His first was as Belle’s sister, Smelle Bottom, in 2008’s Beauty and the Beast. This was Julian’s Theatre Royal Winchester debut and everyone agrees we’re so pleased he found his way to us!

Julian has always been fascinated with panto dames, since 1972 when he saw singer and entertainer, Danni LaRue, in The Queen of Hearts at the Palace Theatre Manchester. He performed in panto at university, but never as a dame. It wasn’t until Christmas 2000 that he landed his first ever dame role and he hasn’t looked back!

Over the years Julian has spoken about his panto career in magazines, online, and on radio. In 2022 he gave a lecture about life as a panto dame to The Art Workers’ Guild in London; and on Sunday 10 November, Julian will be at the theatre for a special show, sharing more insights into the life and times of dames, in An Audience with Dame Lily Trott-Twankey.

We cannot wait for Julian to be back on our stage in Mother Goose and putting smiles on everyone's faces this magical pantomime season!

About Mother Goose

Mother Goose tells the story of a lady who will be evicted if she cannot pay her rent. Until she makes a friend of a goose who lays her golden eggs, making her rich! However, Mother Goose is tempted to swap her goose for youth and beauty – a mistake she soon regrets, leaving her fighting to get her goose back to live happily ever after.

This will be the first time Mother Goose has been performed at Theatre Royal Winchester and as always, our panto will be suitable for families and packed with corny jokes, original songs, live music and audience participation. A guaranteed joyous time!

Theatre Royal Winchester's pantomime is produced in house by Play to the Crowd and this year it has been written by James Barry and Robin Belfield, with music by Simon Slater and directed by Robin Belfield.

Mother Goose is supported by Play to the Crowd's Corporate Partner, regional law firm, Paris Smith.

Mother Goose will run from Saturday 30 November 2024 to Sunday 05 January 2025 more info…