A YOUNG actor from Embsay is playing a key role in the Bradford Alhambra pantomime Peter Pan.

Theo Francis is playing one of the Darling children, John, who heads to Neverland in the pantomime which started on Saturday.

One of eight boys chosen during auditions, he is sharing the role with Will Collier from Rothwell.

William Campbell from Cullingworth and Leo McDonnell from Horsforth will share the role of John’s brother Michael.

They are appearing on stage now until the end of January with a cast of professional adult performers and the locally-chosen children in the Sunbeams chorus.

There is also a reserve team of boys who were chosen, including Morgan Bass from Bingley, John Hudson from Guiseley, Dylan Miles-Davis from Idle and Frazer Lee from Leeds.

Scores of boys attended the open auditions organised by panto producers Qdos Entertainment, with two teams eventually picked.

A Qdos spokesman said the standard of the youngsters auditioning was very high.

The boys, who will play the brothers of Peter Pan’s friend, Wendy Darling, were supported by actor Darren Day.

The West End star, who will play Captain Hook, was present at the auditions.

Darren is sharing the panto stage with comedian Billy Pearce, who for many years has headed the cast of the hugely-popular annual show. This year he is Captain Hook’s sidekick Smee.

Also in the cast are Emmerdale actress Charlie Hardwick, who is playing the magical mermaid, and former S Club 7 star Jon Lee, who is playing Peter Pan himself.

Charlie played Val Pollard for several years in TV soap Emmerdale until the character’s death last summer.

S Club 7 singing star Jon made his professional stage debut aged 13 playing the title role in Oliver! at the London Palladium and appeared in EastEnders.

In 1999 he joined the acclaimed pop group S Club 7, which had four UK number one singles, recorded four studio albums and sold over 14 million albums worldwide.

The pantomime’s executive producer, Michael Harrison, said: “The casting of Charlie Hardwick and Jon Lee adds further comedy and musical talent to our Alhambra pantomime.

“Peter Pan is packed with special effects and sees us using 3D projection to bring the action right out into the auditorium.”

Peter Pan runs until January 29. Visit bradford-theatres.co.uk or call 01274 432000 to book tickets.