Peter Pan comes to Surrey theatre amid £10m revamp

Dorking Halls has announced Peter Pan will be its panto act this Christmas

A historic Surrey theatre which is undergoing a massive renovation has announced that Peter Pan will be its festive pantomime offering - and a former pop star will be taking to the stage.

Organisers at Dorking Halls said Amelle Berrabah, who was previously a member of girl band Sugababes, will play Tiger Lily.

The production comes ahead of the Art Deco venue closing for a second time next year as part of a £10m modernisation.

Berrabah, who grew up in Surrey, said she "loves doing a bit of panto".

"I love seeing children's little faces smiling and families laughing and being together," she told Radio Surrey.

Dorking Halls is due to close from mid-April next year for nine months to carry out planned refurbishments.

Emily Sills, marketing manager at the venue, has confirmed it will re-open in December 2026 in time for next year's panto.

"Panto is just the best season and we don't want to miss one," she added.

Dorking Halls is due to close in mid-April 2026 for nine months to carry out planned refurbishments

Thomas Redgrave, a member of Operatic boy band Collabro, will star as Peter Pan, the father and son comedy duo Simmons & Simmons as Smee and Starkey.

Hollie Hubsch, from East Grinstead, is playing Tinker Bell and says it is her first professional panto.

She said she was "excited" about playing the role as Ms Hubsch considers the character to be an "icon and fan-favourite".

"It's really nice I can fully immerse myself into panto-land, I don't have to do anything else," she added.

This year's show runs from 19 to 30 December.

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