The Corn Exchange has announced the cast for its Christmas pantomime, Dick Whittington, with a Harry Potter star taking a leading role.

Chris Rankin, known for portraying Percy Weasley in the Wizarding World franchise, will perform as Alderman Fitzwarren.

Audiences will join Dick and his trusty cat on their quest to seek fame and fortune.

As the dynamic duo journeys from Newburyshire to London, it soon becomes clear that perhaps everything is not what it seems.

The theatre promises to provide festive fun for the whole family in this pantomime, and packed with chart-topping songs from across the decades.

The titular role of Dick Whittington will be played by Kai Harris, known for West End Does Christmas 2023.

Jade Johnson will return to the Corn Exchange for her third Christmas as Dick's feline sidekick, Cosmo.

Alex Crandon will be causing mischief as the evil King Rat, while Scott Riney will bring Christmas cheer to the stage as the Dame.

Grace Kelly Miller will play Detective Fairy Bowbells, and Shannon Bourne, fresh from tours of Becoming Nancy and Stranger Sings!, will join as Alice Fitzwarren.

The ensemble cast includes Jake Poolman, known for his roles in Les Misérables, Adam Craig from The Wizard of Oz West End, and Finna Hardy, making her pantomime debut.

The show has been created by Plested Brown and Wilsher, a trio comprising Clare Plested, Adam Brown, and Amanda Wilsher.

Clare Plested is a noted actress, writer, and comedian, who was shortlisted for the Funny Women Comedy Writing Awards in 2022.

Newbury's Adam Brown is recognised for his role as Ori in The Hobbit and recently appeared alongside Sir Ian McKellen in Mother Goose at Theatre Royal, Brighton.

Amanda Wilsher is a familiar face to Newbury audiences, having directed Jack and the Beanstalk in 2022 and Beauty and the Beast last year.

Miranda Wilford will serve as choreographer, Ben Barrow as musical director, Mark Walters for Glitter Pantomimes will handle set and dame costume designs, and Carl Davies will take care of costume designs.

Vicky Allen will be the lighting designer, and Nathan Smith the sound designer.

The Corn Exchange Newbury has also announced the return of their Panto Pay it Forwards appeal.

The initiative provides free tickets to those in the community most in need, ensuring that cost is not a barrier to experiencing the magic of pantomime.

Last year, 555 free tickets were distributed to school children in receipt of pupil premium funding from six local schools, and to local community groups.

The pantomime will run from November 29 to January 5, with a press night on December 7 at 5pm.