Worcester Theatres’ Sleeping Beauty Is 'The Perfect Festive and Fun-Filled Family Pantomime'
18 December 2025
Worcester Theatres’ Sleeping Beauty pantomime has received dazzling reviews since its opening night on Friday 28 November 2025. Directed and written by Ian Good, who also stars as the charismatic Dame Nurse Dottie Dettol, this Sleeping Beauty pantomime from Worcester Repertory Company is a must-see for families in Worcestershire.
Worcester Theatres have received incredible feedback from audiences and reviewers since the Sleeping Beauty pantomime began.
Charlotte Albutt from Worcester News said, “My family and I have always enjoyed the comfort and surprise that comes with the annual pantomime tradition - yet, Swan Theatre's 2025 show had us laughing harder and singing along louder. [...] This panto had a distinctively local and topical flavour, from TikTok trends and political jokes to strong, independent women taking centre stage. […] This might be my favourite Worcester Theatres’ panto yet.”
Graham Wyles from Stage Talk Magazine said, “Amy Lyons as Princess Beauty is in her first professional engagement and one of the highlights of the show. She sings sweetly and acts the role of ingénue with peart assurance, relating to the young audience something like an older sister. [...] Actors love to play baddies and Katherine Parker-Jones had the audience shrieking with indignation. [...] Ian Good as Nurse Dottie Dettol gives us a classic pantomime Dame, quirky and saucy, whilst giving us a colourful blast of Christmas cheer.”
Tim Crow from Behind the Arras said, “In Worcester the charming story of Princess Beauty and her gallant Prince Hugo delighted the family audience with a colourful and lively show, full of light frivolity and energy. [...] The lively music provided by Rudy Percival, Calum Harrison and Rui De Sousa-Stayton complement a visually stimulating spectacle – the costumes, (Katie Butterworth), the set design (Gareth Morgan) and the lighting (Dan Clarkson) are all excellent. [...] Once again Worcester Theatres have provided us with a festive and fun-filled family pantomime to provide humour and charm in an unsteady and troubled world.”
John Phillpott from Showtime! With John Phillpott said, “Worcester is now in the grip of panto fever and so there’s only one place to go… and that’s down to the Swan where the Worcester Rep have once again turned the fun-ometer throttle up to max and then some. I enjoyed every single, mad minute of this year’s Swan panto. And you will too… oh yes, you will!”
Pauline Clark from Raring2go! said, “From the moment the curtain lifted, the audience were treated to a dazzling array of colourful costumes, feet-stamping hand-clapping tunes, and all the magic you would hope to find. This was THE best panto ever for fantastic audience participation.”
“It’s hard to say what my favourite part of this year’s panto was, it was all so good, but all members of the Ensemble were, for me, the cherry on the icing on the cake. Very well done to Francesca Alessandra, Ella Sheree, Aidan Strachan and Joey Hendy. So a huge ‘Well done’ to each and every member of the juvenile dance teams: Minnie Bailey, Mollie Baker, Maya Curzon, Darcey Green, Mimi Hunt, Roxie Jordan, Torra McFarlane, Bella-May Webb, Alannna Apperly, Megan Coleman, Tilly Filburn, Belle Humphries, Bella Lowe-Smith, Elvie Plaskitt, Thora Swenson and Isla Taylor.”
Joe from Theatre and Tonic said, “Dominic McChesney’s bumbling King Eric is a delight to watch. [...] Hollie Christian-Brookes carries the narrative valiantly. [...] Matthew Manning as Prince Hugo sings beautifully. [...] Nathan Blyth as Fester the Jester works extremely hard to keep the energy up, and entertain with his endless punny jokes – but it’s his physicality, enthusiasm, lip-syncing and sheer likeability which makes him a joy to watch."
“All in all, what this show offers is good, traditional panto fun for all ages, and an excellent opportunity to support a local producing house which consistently punches above its weight in delivering high quality, high budget, professional theatre at affordable prices for all the family. You would have to go far to find another pantomime which is made with such care and commitment.”
With just over two weeks left of the Sleeping Beauty pantomime, finishing on Sunday 4 January 2026, there’s still time to book your tickets and make this festive season truly magical for the whole family. With over 19,000 theatregoers enjoying the panto each year, it’s never too early to book your tickets—so don’t hit that snooze button!
Book Sleeping Beauty tickets on the Worcester Theatres website or contact Box Office on 01905 611427.