RUPAUL’S DRAG RACE UK FAVOURITES VICTORIA SCONE AND RIVER MEDWAY TO STAR IN KING’S HEAD THEATRE’S DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT

RIVER MEDWAY MAKES HER KING’S HEAD THEATRE DEBUT AS QUEEN RAT, WITH VICTORIA SCONE RETURNING TO THE THEATRE AS DRAGPUS

ANDREW POLLARD, WINNER OF BEST WRITER AT THE 2026 UK PANTOMIME AWARDS, RETURNS TO WRITE AND DIRECT FOR A THIRD YEAR

GOLDEN BELLS PAY IT FORWARD SCHEME RETURNS TO HELP MORE LOCAL CHILDREN EXPERIENCE PANTO FOR FREE, FOLLOWING MORE THAN 2,250 FREE SCHOOL VISITS OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS

DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT RUNS FROM 22 NOVEMBER 2026 – 3 JANUARY 2027WITH DICK WHITTINGTON: ADULTS ONLYFROM 26 NOVEMBER 2026 – 2 JANUARY 2027

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

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Interim Executive Director and CEO Amber Massie-Blomfield, Interim Executive Producer James Quaife, Producer and Programmer Zoe Weldon, and the whole team at King’s Head Theatre are delighted to announce the first casting and creative team for this year’s pantomime, Dick Whittington and His Cat, running from 21 November 2026 – 3 January 2027, with a press performance on Sunday 29 November at 1pm; alongside its strictly grown-up counterpart, Dick Whittington: Adults Only, from 26 November 2026 – 2 January 2027, with a press performance on Friday 27 November at 7pm.

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK favourites Victoria Scone and River Medway will star in both productions, with Victoria returning to the theatre as ‘Dragpus’, following her appearance as ‘Dame Trott’ in last year’s Jack and the Beanstalk, and River making her King’s Head Theatre debut as ‘Queen Rat’.

The production will once again be written and directed by Andrew Pollard, who returns to King’s Head Theatre for a third year following Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk, and was the winner of ‘Best Writer’ at the 2026 UK Pantomime Awards.

 Victoria Scone made history as the first contestant assigned female at birth to compete on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, appearing in the third series before going on to represent the UK in Canada’s Drag Race: Canada vs The World, where they reached the final four. Victoria returns to King’s Head Theatre following last year’s Jack and the Beanstalk, having previously appeared on stage in productions including The Frogs at Southwark Playhouse. Last year’s King’s Head announcement similarly foregrounded Victoria’s Drag Race history and stage work. In 2026, Victoria led the cast of Acid’s Reign as ‘Alex Acid’ at Pleasance Theatre London and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.Victoria Scone said: “She’s... back! I’m delighted to return to the King’s Head Theatre stage again this year – mainly because I left my LaDucas backstage! I simply can’t believe how lucky I am to be spending a season with Dick... Whittington! And River Medway will be there! (I think I’m contractually obligated to say that."“See you on stage and let’s all hope I don’t mistake a school performance for an ‘Adults Only’ show again – those poor kids.”

River Medway will make her King’s Head Theatre debut as ‘Queen Rat’. She most recently played ‘Jem’ in the UK and Ireland tour of Here & Now: The Steps Musical, having originated the role in the musical’s world premiere at the Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham.Following her appearance on the third series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, River has performed extensively across the UK, including the Pick’n’Mix UK Tour, The Main Event UK Tour and the official Drag Race UK Season 3 Tour.

River Medway said: “I made my panto debut at ten years old in my hometown in Kent and have been in love ever since, continuing until I was 18. My first time ‘in drag’ was playing an Ugly Stepsister in Cinderella – completely miscast. I’ve been a villager, a prince – rude! – and a dame, but never a villain."I adore the tradition and the camp that is innate to panto, so I’m super excited to be part of this year’s panto at the iconic King’s Head Theatre in London – just a shame I have to work with Victoria Scone again. She’s obsessed with me!”

Writer and director Andrew Pollard returns to King’s Head Theatre following the success of the theatre’s previous two pantomimes. Last year’s Jack and the Beanstalk followed his 2024 production of Cinderella, which received several five-star reviews and sold out a number of performances.

Andrew Pollard said: “I am delighted to be returning for the third year to write and direct the King’s Head panto. Panto at the King’s Head is a very special thing – perfect as a child’s first introduction to panto, as the venue is intimate and the children can really get up close to the action and the characters. I’m looking forward to working once again with a fantastic production and creative team to produce our little jewel of a panto.“Dick Whittington is the perfect London panto, with action set in the heart of the city. It’s also one of the very special pantos in that it is based on historical fact – a really unique pantomime experience.“It will, of course, be filled with funny and endearing characters, lots of comedy and music, and plenty of audience participation! Oh yes, it will!”

Joining Pollard on the creative team are Nicky Bunch as Set and Costume Designer, George W. Parris as Musical Supervisor and Musical Director, Alex Lewer as Lighting Designer and Anna Smart as Sound Designer.General Management is provided by James Quaife for Luminous Entertainment Group.

Alongside the family production, King’s Head Theatre will once again present a separate adults-only version of the show. Building on the popularity of previous late-night pantomime performances, Dick Whittington: Adults Only will offer a naughtier take on the traditional story from 26 November 2026 – 2 January 2027. Last year, the theatre expanded its Adults Only performances in response to audience demand.

Amber Massie-Blomfield and James Quaife said, “We’re absolutely delighted to be bringing pantomime back to the King’s Head Theatre for a third magical year with Dick Whittington and His Cat. Panto is one of the most joyful traditions in British theatre, bringing together laughter, music, magic, and a real sense of community. With the sensational Victoria Scone and River Medway leading the cast, audiences can expect a festive adventure packed with heart, humour, and spectacular entertainment. We can’t wait to welcome families, friends, and the local community through our doors this Christmas to share in the magic together.”

King’s Head Theatre will also continue its commitment to making pantomime accessible to children and families across its local community through its Golden Bells Pay It Forward scheme, raising funds to provide free tickets to those who might otherwise be unable to attend.

The theatre continues its partnership with the Mayor of Islington’s 11 by 11 scheme, which aims to ensure every child experiences at least eleven free cultural activities by the age of eleven. Over the past two years, more than 2,250 schoolchildren have attended King’s Head Theatre for free.

For Cinderella, the theatre raised £4,820 towards free theatre tickets for schools, enabling 855 schoolchildren to attend. In total, 1,405 tickets were distributed through schools and charity and community partners including Tickets for Good, Timpson, Forum+, Switchboard and Black Children’s Initiative.

As part of its wider commitment to keeping tickets accessible, both productions will have a Pay What You Can performance, with £15 tickets available throughout the runs. Further accessible ticket offers are available through the KHT Artists Club, open to those working in the cultural industries, the Under 35s Membership, and the theatre’s N1 Membership for local residents and workers.

Tickets are on sale now, starting at £15.

The theatre is offering Pay What You Can on Wednesday 25 November at 6pm. Family tickets (2x adults and 2x children) are also available for £120 for all performances on all Band A to C seats. For the adults only show, bookers can save 15% when booking 6+tickets in Bands A – C.  Both offers are available for bookings made before 30 September.

Further casting will be announced.