The Royal Court Theatre’s Scouse Christmas Panto returns with its take on a Charles Dickens classic
Inside the Royal Court
The cast of a much-loved Liverpool pantomime has been confirmed. The Royal Court Theatre’s Scouse panto is a part of many people’s Christmas calendars, featuring a talented cast of local actors and hilarious scripts that are made for a Liverpool audience.
The annual show has seen Scouse takes of classic stories such as Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk and Dick Whittington. This year, the Royal Court Theatre will run The Scouse Christmas Carol from November 7 2025 to January 17 2026.
The pantomime promises “stupid jokes and live music” as it takes on the Christmas tale written by Charles Dickens. The show description reads: “It’s that time again when the Royal Court searches ‘Christmas shows’ on Google and picks one to scousify!
“This year we’re improving on the great Charles Dickens, who always wanted his shows to have more stupid jokes and live music.
“As always, this is a show for grownups only so pack the kids off to their nan’s for the night and come and join us for a laugh!
“Jacob Marley is dead and nobody knows who bumped him off.
“Mary Marley, his missus, is going to track down the killer and she’s got one man in her sights. Scrooge. But how can she make him cough to the crime?
“Ebeneezer is a geezer who always quite fancied Mary, but now she’s ghosting him with the help of the Scratchitt family and Mr Kettiwig. Will he learn his lesson? Will Marley be avenged by three little birds? Will Charlie Dicko spin so fast in his grave that a sinkhole opens up? Only one way to find out…”
An update issued by the theatre has confirmed this year’s cast with some returning members.
West End performer John-Paul Birss, who has appeared in Mamma Mia, will star in the show.
Helen Carter, who started in the Everyman Theatre’s Shirley Valentine, will also star.
Returning faces include Paul Duckworth, who appeared in The Scouse Nativity and The Scouse Cinderlla, and Lindzi Germain, who also appeared in The Scouse Nativity.
The full cast includes John-Paul Birss, Helen Carter, Paul Duckworth, Lindzi Germain, Adam McCoy, Lydia Rosa Morales-Scully, Keddy Sutton, Jhanaica Van Mook, Lenny Wood.
The band is formed of James Breckon, Greg Joy, Chris Nicholls, Mike Woodvine.
More information can be found on the Royal Court Theatre website here.