PREVIEW: Sleeping Beauty Panto at Sunderland Empire
Written by Lucas Ward on 5th December 2025
The festive period is well and truly upon us, and with that comes pantomime! This year sees Sleeping Beauty make an appearance at Sunderland Empire, with a cast that includes everyone from TV stars to the usual crowd favourites!
When a beautiful Princess is cursed by the evil Carabosse on the eve of her 18th birthday party, only a true love’s kiss can awaken her. Can the Fairy and Prince Vincent come to her rescue and help her live happily ever after?
Performers joining the ‘biggest panto on Wearside’ this year include West End star Jordan Lee Davies as villain Carabosse and Call the Midwife actress Laura Main as the fabulous Fairy Snowfall, with both having been a part of touring shows that visited the Empire before (Davies in both The Book of Mormon and Chicago, and Main starring in Shrek the Musical there back in 2018).
Jordan Lee Davies is excited to be back at the Empire, saying: “The audiences are INCREDIBLE and I cannot wait to be booed once again. Pass me the horns and the red lippy, I’m ready!”
Producer, Martin Dodd said of Jordan Lee Davies: ‘With killer vocals, a wardrobe to die for, and enough sass to stop time itself, Jordan’s set to give Sleeping Beauty a wake-up call she won’t forget.’
Laura Main sees pamtomime as the perfect blend between two of her favourite things, saying: “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.”
Channel 5’s Milkshake! presenter David Ribi also joins the cast as the handsome prince, with local legend Peter Peverley starring as the King. Wearside favourites Tom Whalley and Miss Rory return to the Empire panto, this time featuring as the Jester and Cleaner respectively.
Sleeping Beauty runs from December 12 to January 4 so don’t get caught napping, tickets are available now from ATG Tickets.
