Joe Sims in the 2026 Bristol Hippodrome Pantomime

Joe Sims is joining the cast of Sleeping Beauty at the Bristol Hippodrome, which runs from 5 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. He'll be playing the Henchman, and he's part of a fairly big line-up: Craig Revel Horwood as Carabosse, Andy Ford as Muddles, Jade Marvin as the Enchantress, Tom Major as Prince Peter, and Naomi Pacquette as Princess Aurora.

If the name Joe Sims rings a bell, it's probably from the breakfast show on BBC Radio Bristol, where he's a regular voice across the city. Beyond the radio, he's done three series of the ITV drama Broadchurch, appeared in Doctor Who, and voiced plenty of characters on BBC Radio 4's The Archers. He also co-founded BristolAF productions with writer-director Paul Holbrook and writer Amy Trevaskus, with a shared aim of telling Bristol-centric stories.

The production is put on by Crossroads Pantomimes, who describe themselves as the world's biggest pantomime producer and were behind last year's Jack and the Beanstalk at the Hippodrome. It's worth noting that this might be the last show at the historic theatre for a while; the building is gearing up for a major refurbishment, which could see digital advertising screens added to the exterior — a move that's already proving controversial. So, if you've been meaning to catch a panto at the Hippodrome, this is likely your last chance for a good while.

Sleeping Beauty runs from 5 December 2026 through to 3 January 2027 at the Bristol Hippodrome.