TOP young Swindon talent will be joining West End star Paul Nicholas on stage at this year’s Wyvern Theatre pantomime.

Paul Nicholas will be taking on the part of Captain Hook in the production of Peter Pan which tells the story of a boy who never grew up.

Wendy, Michael and John fly into the night sky with Peter to a land of mermaids, lost boys, Indians and fairy dust – where children can fly and adventures happen every day.

At auditions earlier this month, 100 people auditioned for roles and this saw 13-year-old Ethan Rose, from Shrivenham, and Pearce Barron, 12, of Swindon, sharing the role of John Darling. Michael Darling will be played by Ross Agar, 12, of Thatcham, and Thomas Snowball 13, from Cirencester.

The Lost Boys will be: Joseph Bicknell, 12, of Swindon; Henry Blackaller, 12, of Cirencester; Natalie Bright, 12, of Swindon; Samuel Courtiour, 13, of Marston Meysey; Henry Firth, 11, of Swindon; Ethan Hughes, 10, of Highworth; Ollie Humphries, 12, of Swindon; Matt Pidgeon, 12, of Chiseldon; Maddison Rogers, 10, of Swindon; Henry Snowball, 9, of Cirencester; Edward Trevett, 12, of Luckington and Caitlin Wood, 14, from Swindon.

The Juvenile Chorus will consist of; Beth Airey, 15, of Wootton Bassett; Elizabeth Allan, 16, of Swindon; Atalya Atherton, 12, of Swindon; Amy Barker-Cooper, 17, of Chippenham; Tamara Cowley, 13, of Wroughton; Eve Golding, 15, of Swindon; Bethany Hayward, 11, of Swindon; Emily Hayward, 13, of Swindon; Lauren Humphries, 16, of Swindon; Aaron Jenkins, 15, of Swindon; Bethan O’Hagan, 13, of Wootton Bassett; Abbie Sims, 14, of Swindon; Amy Stokes-Dine, 15, of Highworth; Samuel Thoburn, 14, of Swindon and Ryan Walklett, 17, of Swindon.

Derek Aldridge, the Wyvern’s theatre director, said: “We were lucky enough to have over 100 talented young people who wanted to be part of the pantomime.

“I am really looking forward to welcoming the successful youngsters back in November to join the professional cast in rehearsals. “The whole experience will be really exciting, not to mention busy, and I am sure is one that will stay with them forever.

“I can’t wait to see them on the stage performing to thousands of people over Christmas.”