Full Cast Announced for Panto, Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Milton Keynes Theatre

Today, Monday 7th July 2025, Milton Keynes Theatre has confirmed even more casting for what promises to be a spectacular festive show. Fresh from their hugely successful season together in Bristol, Brian will once again be joined on stage by his daughter, Lucy Conley, who stars as Goldilocks. Also joining the cast are renowned Dame David Robbins as Dame Betty Barnum, panto villain Phil Corbitt as Baron Von Blackheart, and illusionist Phil Hitchcock as The Magical Mysterioso.

Lucy Conley began her professional career at just 12 years old, appearing as Tommy Cooper’s daughter alongside David Threlfall and Amanda Redman in ITV’s Tommy Cooper: Not Like That, Like This. With a natural flair for comedy, she went on to win gold at the Destination Imagination Comedy Improv UK Nationals in 2018 at the age of 16. Her pantomime credits include Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Richmond Theatre, 2022 and Bristol Hippodrome, 2024) and Cinderella at Milton Keynes Theatre last Christmas. Outside of pantomime, Lucy is a regular performer at Brasserie Zédel’s Crazy Coqs in Piccadilly Circus, entertaining audiences with her jazz vocals and stand-up comedy.

David Robbins originally trained in stage management, specialising in wardrobe and prop-making, before touring as a puppeteer with Dragon Island and directing the Dab Hand Puppet Company. His varied credits include Whistle Down the Wind, Doctor Dolittle, The Rocky Horror Show, and Goodbye Mr Chips, along with work for Chichester Festival Theatre, Thorpe Park, and P&O Cruises. A veteran of the panto stage, David has played iconic roles such as Sarah the Cook and Dotty Dolittle and spent 12 years as an Ugly Sister alongside Martin Ramsdin. He now appears regularly as Dame across the UK, designing all his own costumes and wigs, and works year-round as a professional wig maker.

Phil Corbitt brings a wealth of experience from both stage and screen, with a career that includes UK and international tours of Hamlet, The Tempest, A Streetcar Named Desire, Much Ado About Nothing, and Twelfth Night. He has performed at major regional theatres such as Northern Stage, Storyhouse Chester, and Theatre Royal Newcastle, with credits spanning Kinky Boots, Brassed Off, The Hired Man, and Macbeth. His screen appearances include popular TV dramas Vera, Emmerdale, Coronation Street, Waterloo Road, and films such as Peterloo and Almost Married.

Renowned magician and illusionist Phil Hitchcock completes the line-up, bringing over three decades of spellbinding performances to Milton Keynes. Combining slick illusions with humour, Phil has wowed audiences across the globe. He rose to fame performing for Siegfried and Roy at the Tropicana in Las Vegas, was later crowned British Magical Grand Prix Champion, and recently performed alongside Diana Ross at Disneyland.

Joining the cast direct from Zippo’s Circus are the incredible Timbuktu Tumblers, an acrobatic troupe from Kenya known for their thrilling routines, infectious energy, and remarkable strength. Pantomime favourites, they have appeared in Peter Pan at Newcastle Theatre Royal, Birmingham Hippodrome, and Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre, as well as Robinson Crusoe in Plymouth and Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Bristol Hippodrome. Their outstanding performances earned them the Best Speciality Act Award at The Great British Pantomime Awards.

Emma Sullivan, Theatre Director at Milton Keynes Theatre, said:
“Two years ago, audiences adored the on-stage chemistry and comedy banter between panto legend Brian Conley and his daughter Lucy, so we are beyond thrilled to be once again welcoming back not one but two members of the Conley family for this year’s festive season!

David Robbins, Phil Corbett, Phil Hitchcock, and the rest of this fantastic cast will ensure there is a perfect mix of speciality circus acts and traditional panto fun: all the ingredients we need for Goldilocks and the Three Bears to be the greatest panto on earth!”

For five weeks only, Milton Keynes Theatre will be transformed into a dazzling circus where anything can happen, and probably will! Expect riotous comedy, jaw-dropping special effects, daring stunts, and breath-taking circus acts in this festive extravaganza.

In the story, Goldilocks’ beloved circus faces ruin at the hands of a wicked rival, but with the help of their circus friends, they fight to save their Big Top. Just when all hope seems lost, three brilliant bears come to the rescue…

Roll up, roll up to see the magic of pantomime and the wonder of the circus collide in a show that promises to be ‘just right’ for all the family!