Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty opens at Milton Keynes Theatre on Saturday 5 December, running through to Sunday 10 January. It's a pantomime, so it's a long run that takes you right through the Christmas break and well into the New Year.

The story is the one you know: Princess Aurora is cursed by her wicked aunt and pricked by an enchanted spinning wheel, falling into a deep sleep that throws the kingdom into chaos until true love can break the spell. It's produced by Crossroads Pantomimes, who call themselves the world's biggest pantomime producer and were behind Goldilocks and the Three Bears in previous years. They've built this one around special effects, laugh-out-loud comedy and familiar pop hits to carry the festive spectacle.

The cast is where the star power sits. Alexandra Burke takes on the villainous Carabosse, bringing her powerhouse vocals to the role, while children's television favourite Richard Cadell plays Muddles, appearing alongside Sooty and Sweep. Ceri Dupree is Queen Passionella, Christopher Biggins is The Diva of Dreams, and Natalie Chua plays Sleeping Beauty herself. Between Burke's singing and the Sooty and Sweep connection, there's a fair bit of name recognition on the bill.

If you're planning to go, keep in mind the run is long enough that you can pick a date that actually works for you, whether that's a weekend in December or something after the holidays. One of the matinees is on Wednesday 16 December, and there's a coach tour option for £65 per person, which covers your theatre ticket and return travel. The show runs from Saturday 5 December 2026 to Sunday 10 January 2027 at Milton Keynes Theatre, Central Milton Keynes.