Relaxed Christmas pantomime for families, with flying sequences, pirate sword fights and audience interaction, adapted for those who need a more comfortable theatre environment.
The Further Adventures of Peter Pan comes to the Sunderland Empire on Monday 28 December, part of the venue's Christmas 2026 pantomime season. This particular showing is a relaxed performance, which means it's tailored for people who find a standard theatre environment a bit much—especially those with autism or learning disabilities. The house lights stay on, sudden loud noises and flashing lights are kept to a minimum, and there's a chill-out area if you need a break. You're free to move around or make noise during the show, and the auditorium opens earlier than usual, with staff on hand to help you settle in.
As for the story, The Further Adventures of Peter Pan: The Return of Captain Hook picks up where the original left off. Peter thought he'd won, but Hook survived the stormy seas and is now plotting his revenge. It's a family show, so it hits all the panto beats: flying sequences, pirate sword fights, crocodile chases, special effects, audience interaction and plenty of comedy. The cast includes Bradley Riches as Peter Pan, Miss Rory as Captain Rorina Hook, Tom Whalley as Smee, Olivia Birchenough as Ethel Mermaid, Millie Readshaw as Tinker Bell and Sophie Bishop as Emily Darling.
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It's a brand-new pantomime for the 2026 season, so it's not just a revival of an old script. Between the flying, the swordplay and the crocodile, there's a fair bit of stagecraft to see, and the relaxed format means you can take it in at your own pace without worrying about sitting perfectly still. The Empire is at 4-5 High Street West, Sunderland SR1 3EX. This performance starts at 17:30, and tickets are £15.
