Spa Centre Pantomime 2025: Why Stratford families are booking early for Peter Pan

If you are a Stratford-upon-Avon local who usually waits until December to book your festive theatre tickets, you need to change your plans. The 2025 Royal Spa Centre pantomime has just announced news that is already causing a surge in demand across Warwickshire.

The 2025 production will be a high-flying performance of Peter Pan. But the real headline is bittersweet: this will be the final year for the beloved pantomime legends, JP McCue and Sean Dodds.

After 12 years of chaotic slapstick, water pistols, and the famous “12 Days of Christmas” routine, the duo are hanging up their costumes. For families in Stratford who make the short pilgrimage to Leamington every Christmas, this is truly the end of an era.

Why This Year is Unmissable

JP McCue (the Dame) and Sean Dodds (the comic foil) have built a cult following in the region. Their chemistry is the primary reason many Stratfordians choose the Spa Centre over larger venues in Birmingham or Coventry.

For their farewell performance, they are going out with a bang:

• JP McCue will take on a rare dual role: the larger-than-life Dame, Dolly Darling, AND the villainous Captain Holly Hook.
• Sean Dodds will be bringing the laughs as the lovably hopeless pirate, Smee.

They will be joined by Charlie Smart as Peter Pan, Hollie Smith-Nelson as Tinker Bell, and Emma Marsh as Wendy.

Event Details: Peter Pan 2025

Getting There from Stratford-upon-Avon

While we love supporting our local RSC productions, the 20-minute hop to Leamington is a standard Christmas tradition for many of us. If you are planning the trip for the first time, it couldn’t be easier:

By Train 🚆

Leave the car at home and make a day of it. Direct trains run from Stratford-upon-Avon Parkway and the Town Station to Leamington Spa. The journey takes just 25 minutes, and the Spa Centre is a short walk through the festive Parade and Jephson Gardens from the station.

By Car 🚗

It’s a straightforward 11-mile drive down the A46. For parking, the St. Peter’s Multi-Storey (CV32 5EL) is heavily recommended. It is practically next door to the theatre, meaning you don’t have to drag excited (or tired) children very far.

A “Leamington Wit” Farewell

The production is once again produced by the award-winning Imagine Theatre. If you have seen their previous shows, you know what to expect: spectacular sets, massive musical numbers, and a script that doesn’t shy away from poking fun at local towns (expect a few jokes at Stratford’s expense!).

In a statement released to the press, Sean Dodds said: “Just like Peter, we’re off on some new adventures! So this Christmas, more than ever, we’d love you to join us one last time.”

Don’t Wait to Book

Because of the “farewell tour” nature of this show, tickets are selling significantly faster than previous years. The prime dates—especially Christmas Eve and the weekends in mid-December—are expected to sell out months in advance.

Secure your seats here: Book Peter Pan 2025 Tickets