First look at Sunderland Empire’s Sleeping Beauty Panto cast
Written by Meena Green on 13th October 2025
This Christmas, Sleeping Beauty will bring its magic to the Sunderland Empire stage, where a beautiful Princess is cursed by the evil Carabosse on the eve of her 18th birthday party and can only be awoken by true love’s kiss. Can the Good Fairy’s magical spell break the curse? Will she find her true love and live happily ever after?
Jordan Lee Davies (Carabosse ), Tom Whalley (Vesta the Jester), Miss Rory (Rorina the Cleaner), Laura Main (Fairy Snowfall) and David Ribi (Prince Vincent)
Sunderland Empire’s Sleeping Beauty took a trip to Lumley Castle in Chester-Le-Street to launch the return of Wearside’s biggest pantomime, unveiling some of its sparkling cast.
Star of BBC’s Call The Midwife, Laura Main, as Fairy Snowfall, Channel 5 Milkshake’s David Ribi as the dashing Prince Vincent, West End’s Chicago Jordan Lee Davis, as the scheming villain Carbosse and back by for a sixth year by popular demand, Miss Rory, as Rorina the Cleaner alongside her comedic sidekick, Tom Whalley, as Vesta the Jester.
Laura Main is best known for her role on Call The Midwife but is no stranger to theatre. She played Fiona in Empire’s 2018 production of Shrek and is excited to be back in Sunderland. Laura said: “I love musical theatre and Christmas in equal measure and so to get to be involved in the much-loved British tradition of pantomime and help create some festive magic is a huge honour, as well as lots of fun. I had a great time performing at the Sunderland Empire in 2018, as Fiona in Shrek the Musical on tour and am really looking forward to returning, this time as Fairy Snowfall in Sleeping Beauty.”
Laura Main (Fairy Snowfall)
The story is a tale many know and love from Disney who made it into a classic, and now, this wonderful cast will turn it into a hilariously magical night out with friends and family.
Sleeping Beauty will be on stage in winter where you can see it from Friday 12 December 2025 – Sunday 4 January 2026, however, tickets are already out now! You can get your own ticket on ATG Tickets from just £15 and join the cast for another enchanting adventure for all the family.
