Young performers across Rickmansworth can audition for Watersmeet Theatre’s 2026 Christmas pantomime, Peter Pan, when the Watersmeet Theatre hosts junior actor and dancer auditions this September. The production runs from 4 to 31 December, with registration closing on 5 September.
Auditions take place on Sunday 13 September, with registration opening at 9.30am and sessions running from 10am until 12.30pm. For the speaking roles of Michael and John, the theatre seeks male performers who are confident actors with a maximum height of 4’9”. Junior dancers must turn 12 by the audition date, be no younger than 9 when rehearsals begin on 22 November, and hold at least Grade 1 standard in ISTD modern, jazz and ballet, with a height cap of 4’11”. Two teams of actors will alternate performance days, while dancers join the professional company throughout the run, which features Steve Best as Mr Smee, Rachel O’Hare as Tigerlily, and Nicholas Lee as Captain Hook.
Rehearsals begin on 22 November and continue until 3 December, and every selected child must be available for the full schedule. The theatre, operated by Three Rivers District Council, has staged an annual pantomime for decades, most recently mounting Dick Whittington and Snow White. In 2024, Watersmeet earned a Pantomime Award nomination for Wendi Harriott’s performance in Sleeping Beauty. Peter Pan itself was last performed at the venue in the 2019–2020 season, produced by Jordan Productions.
Parents and guardians can register a child by emailing Fiona Watson at [email protected], with a WhatsApp contact also available on 07783 031067. The engagement is unpaid, and successful applicants will need performance licensing from the local education authority. A portion of every ticket sold will support Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, which has licensed the production alongside Samuel French Ltd, a Concord Theatricals company.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
