Jason Manford and Ben Nickless return for another year of panto at Manchester Opera House

Manchester Opera House have announced that comedy superstar Jason Manford will return to lead the cast of this year’s spectacular production of the gigantic family pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, running from 2 December 2023. 

Manford is joined by returning Manchester panto favourite Ben Nickless as Silly Simon, seeing the dynamic duo come together for a second year after popular demand.

On his return to panto after a triumphant year as Captain Hook in The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan, Jason Manford said: “I know I joked about Peter Pan being my ‘farewell debut’ in panto, but in truth I had such a wonderful time last Christmas that I was itching to do it again. So, to be invited back to the Opera House in Manchester with such a fun and collaborative company and alongside my new best mate, the hilarious Ben Nickless, well, how could I say no? This Christmas I’ll be putting down the hook and stepping into the title role in Jack and the Beanstalk, and I’m very much looking forward to playing the nice guy! The Manchester audiences are second to none, so I’m really honoured to be part of your Christmas panto tradition once again.”

Ben Nickless, who returns to the Opera House for his fifth consecutive year, said: “I’m delighted to be coming back to Manchester for my fifth pantomime at the Opera House and especially convincing Jason to come back with me (didn’t take much… a caramel latte, 2 steak bakes and a yum yum from Greggs). Jason and I had such a great time working and laughing together last year, we thought we should do one more together and I can’t wait to get started on some new routines for the amazing Manchester audiences.

Jack and the Beanstalk replaces the originally announced production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

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