Fri 17 Jul 2026
Christmas in July | Snow White
Produced by Enchanted Entertainment, the family favourite will run from Saturday 12 December to Thursday 31 December 2026, bringing together an exciting line-up of television, film, music and pantomime stars for what promises to be another unforgettable festive season.
Leading the cast in the title role is Ellena Bacon as Snow White. No stranger to Ipswich audiences, Ellena has quickly become a pantomime favourite thanks to her outstanding vocals, engaging stage presence and ability to bring warmth, charm and sparkle to every performance. Following acclaimed appearances in productions across the country, and many of Enchanted Entertainment’s Easter panto UK tours visiting the Regent Theatre over the years, she is ready to whistle while she works her way into audiences’ hearts as the fairest of them all.
Joining her as the deliciously devious Wicked Queen is Jay Aston, best known as an original member of Eurovision-winning pop sensation Bucks Fizz. After helping the group achieve chart-topping success with Making Your Mind Up and a string of hit singles, Jay continues to perform with The Fizz and record new music. This Christmas, she’ll swap pop royalty for pantomime royalty as she brings glamour, mischief and wickedly good fun to the Regent Theatre stage.
Completing a villainous duo is Andrew Goddard as the Wicked Queen’s Henchman. With more than 14 years of pantomime baddie experience that include appearing as Abanazar in Aladdin at the Regent Theatre in 2021, Andrew knows exactly how to get audiences booing and hissing. His recent screen credits include Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, Das Boot, COBRA: Cyberwar and Netflix’s Jingle Bell Heist, making him the perfect sidekick for this year’s most wicked resident of the kingdom.
Playing Snow White’s charming Prince is AJ Jenks, returning to Ipswich after winning over audiences as Prince Sheeran in Sleeping Beauty in 2023. AJ has starred in major touring productions including Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, Saturday Night Fever and Million Dollar Quartet, as well as leading pantomime roles across the UK. Audiences can expect plenty of charm, charisma and a royal helping of romance.
The enchanted forest will be in safe hands with Meesha Garbett as the Forest Fairy. Recognised for her role as Hortensia, the original “Red Beret Girl”, in the hit film Matilda the Musical, her impressive screen credits also include Wicked, Cats and Jingle Jangle. Away from the screen, Meesha is a World Champion Street Dancer who has performed alongside global superstar Justin Bieber. She is sure to bring a touch of fairy dust and star quality to the production.
Returning by popular demand is Ipswich pantomime legend Mike “Squeaky” McClean as the loveable Muddles. One of East Anglia’s best-known entertainers, Mike has become a Christmas institution at the Regent Theatre, delighting audiences year after year with his quick wit, audience interaction, improvisation and trademark energy. Whether he’s causing chaos in the castle, getting himself into a muddle or leading the audience in a singalong, Mike continues to prove why he’s one of the region’s most beloved pantomime stars.
Joining him once again is pantomime favourite Peter Brad-Leigh as dame Nurse Nora, whose larger-than-life personality, outrageous costumes and laugh-a-minute antics are guaranteed to leave audiences feeling Happy, not Grumpy.
Together, this stellar cast will bring a sprinkle of magic, a dash of mischief and a whole forest-full of festive fun to the Regent Theatre stage. Audiences can expect dazzling costumes, spectacular scenery, laugh-out-loud comedy, sensational song-and-dance numbers and enough magic mirrors to make even the Wicked Queen blush.
Councillor Jane Riley, Ipswich Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Culture and Customers, said:
“We’re delighted to reveal the full cast for Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, and what a fantastic line-up it is.
“With a wonderful mix of pantomime favourites, musical stars, film performers and familiar Regent Theatre faces, this year’s production promises to be truly enchanting. From the moment the curtain rises until everyone lives happily ever after, audiences can look forward to an unforgettable festive experience.
“Christmas simply wouldn’t be Christmas without pantomime at the Ipswich Regent Theatre and we can’t wait to welcome families from across Ipswich, Suffolk and beyond to join us for this fairy-tale adventure.”
Packed with enough sparkle to fill the Seven Dwarves’ diamond mine and featuring all the ingredients of a classic family pantomime, it looks like Snow White and the Seven Dwarves will be charming audiences throughout panto season with a delicious bite of festive fun.
With demand expected to be dwarfed only by the Wicked Queen’s ego, audiences are encouraged to book early to secure the best seats.
The production will feature a range of performances to ensure as many people as possible can enjoy the magic of pantomime, including standard shows throughout the festive season from Saturday 12 December to Thursday 31 December, a dedicated Relaxed Performance, a BSL Interpreted and Audio Described Performance, and an Adult 16+ Performance.
Make sure you book your tickets!