Sleeping Beauty | Sunderland Empire
16th December 2025 | Review by Stephen Stokoe
The annual Sunderland Empire pantomime has made a glorious return this year with the enchanting story of Sleeping Beauty. UK Productions have really taken this festive favourite up a notch this year. It oozes charm, it lauds locality and it is a pleasure to watch from the curtain rising to the final bow.
Returning stars Tom Whalley and Miss Rory are on top form as Vesta the Jesta and Rorina the Cleaner respectively with West End stars Evelyn Hoskins and Jordan Lee Davies taking on the Princess and Evil Fairy Carabosse Roles. The cast is completed by Call the Midwife star Laura Main as a wonderful sparkly fairy, Milkshake favourite David Ribi as the handsome Prince Vincent and local panto legend Peter Peverley as a worrisome but loving king and father to Hoskins’ Princess Rose.
I am sure you do not need to hear the story of Sleeping Beauty but writer Jon Monie (with wonderful local adaptations from resident dafty Tom Whalley) solves a couple of time travelling paradoxes with some deft writing which is very satisfying indeed. The local references come thick and fast both in the costume choices (Elizabeth Denney, Ellie Linaker and Fleur Hawdon) and in the script.
This show is very slick with some amazing directorial choices from Victoria Gimby and the 140 minute running time plus one hundred year nap flies by. I particularly liked the time travel sequence and the appearance of the TARDIS but then I am a fully paid up member of the Grand Order of Geeks.
The whole of this production really impressed me. The lighting design from John Rainsforth was suitably, but not intrusively, garish. The set and costumes both provided by UK Productions were nothing short of amazing and in terms of pantomime traditions – every single box was ticked.
What sets this pantomime apart from others is the opening sequence. In my experience, a lot of pantomimes struggle with limp beginnings and abrupt conclusions. This production starts strongly and it just builds from there with sequence after sequence of fun filled frolics, magical surprises and a whole lot more.
Pantomimes should be magical, they should inspire awe, they need to cater for the whole audience which can range from babes in arms to dear old Rorina and even beyond. This show does all of this. There is humour that tickles the line but never so much as to become crude. There is slapstick silliness and most importantly audience participation which is encouraged effectively at every opportunity.
Miss Rory is at her imperious best and commands the enormous stage with the same twinkle that she enjoys in more intimate venues in the region. Her singing is superb despite the script suggesting otherwise. Whalley’s energy is, frankly, exhausting but it is always a thrill to watch his canny creations come to life every year. Davies excels in the villainous role and his flair for the dramatic really shines out from the stage. His Carabosse is terrifyingly endearing and she gets the boos which are a staple of the art form – but from my part of view, while she is undoubtedly evil – you cannot but help like her a little bit too.
The musical choices are all perfect with each one driving the story along. Richard Baker leads the band on keys with Paul Donnelly on guitar and local legend Malcolm Dick on drums.
This is a pantomime of anyone’s dreams and offers a wonderful cast of highly talented performers, thoroughly loving what they are doing. It is everything you want from this terrific theatre tradition which brings the customers in year on year.
You most certainly do not want to be caught dozing and miss the chance to be enthralled by Sleeping Beauty at The Sunderland Empire.