West End Talent and Audience Favourites Lead Loughborough’s Dick Whittington Cast

The cast has been announced for Dick Whittington at Loughborough Town Hall this Christmas, with West End performers, familiar Loughborough faces and experienced pantomime favourites coming together from Saturday 21 November 2026 until Sunday 3 January 2027.

With Christmas fast approaching, Loughborough Town Hall has revealed the cast who will take audiences on a magical adventure from Loughborough to London and beyond in Little Wolf Entertainment’s first production of Dick Whittington at the venue — and the Town Hall’s first staging of the classic pantomime since 2013.

Leading the production in the title role is Ben Williamson-Jones, who makes a welcome return to Loughborough after appearing as Prince Rupert of Rothley in the award-winning Snow White in 2024.

Ben trained as an actor-musician at the Guildford School of Acting. His theatre credits include the West End production of Stick Man, as well as The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Zog and Stick Man on tour.

Another familiar face returning to the Town Hall is Joshua Elliott as Mabel Arch, following his previous appearance in Little Wolf’s 2023 production of Peter Pan. Joshua trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and has appeared in Mr Foote’s Other Leg at Hampstead Theatre and the Theatre Royal Haymarket, alongside television and radio work for BBC Radio 3 and BBC Radio 4.

Bringing a touch of West End magic is Samuel Haughton as Franklin Fitzwarren. His musical theatre career includes appearing as Monsieur Reyer and covering Monsieur André in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera at His Majesty’s Theatre. His other credits include School of Rock, Top Hat, Spamalot, Grease, Soho Cinders, Singin’ in the Rain, The Wind in the Willows and Tick, Tick… Boom!

Experienced pantomime performer Nicola Martinus-Smith joins as Fairy Bow Bells, a role she has previously played in Dick Whittington at Derby Arena. Her pantomime credits also include Dandini and Mozzarella the Mouse in Cinderella, Rosemary in Mother Goose and Princess Amirah in Aladdin.

Completing the first cast announcement is East Midlands-based performer Soleil Quarless as Alice Fitzwarren. Soleil trained at Trinity Laban and Emil Dale Academy, graduating with a degree in Musical Theatre in 2022. Her pantomime principal roles include Cinderella in Leamington Spa and at Watford Palace Theatre, followed by the title role in Sleeping Beauty in Stafford.

Simon Gibson, Venue Manager at Loughborough Town Hall, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be announcing the cast for this year’s Dick Whittington. It’s a fantastic mix of West End talent, experienced pantomime performers and familiar faces who audiences will be delighted to welcome back to Loughborough Town Hall.”

He added: “The calibre of performers we have joining us is incredibly high, and we can’t wait to see them bring this much-loved story to life. With Little Wolf Entertainment at the helm, we’re looking forward to a magical, funny and spectacular pantomime that audiences of all ages can enjoy this Christmas.”

Dick Whittington runs at Loughborough Town Hall from Saturday 21 November 2026 until Sunday 3 January 2027, with performances at various times throughout the festive season. Tickets start from £22 and can be booked through Loughborough Town Hall’s box office.