If you are looking for a proper festive pick-me-up Swindon, this year’s pantomime Sleeping Beauty at the Wyvern Theatre is a must-see. Five stars feels very fair and the kids would agree. It really is laugh-a-minute stuff, and crucially it works just as well for adults as it does for children.
From the opening moments, complete with stage pyrotechnics introducing the Fairy Slumber narrator, the show bursts into life and never really lets up. This is confident, old-school panto done properly, packed with current in-jokes and cheeky throwaway lines, including a perfectly timed gag from Muddles asking the Prince, “How tall are you? 6–7?” The pace is sharp, the laughs are constant, and the audience stays fully on side throughout.
The celeb role, Jenny Ryan from The Chase, is a genuine standout as Carabosse. On paper, she might feel like an unusual casting choice, but on stage she absolutely owns it. Her comic timing is spot on, and her singing voice is a real surprise, in the best possible way. She clearly enjoys being gloriously wicked, and the audience enjoys her just as much.
Swindon panto favourite David Ashley once again shows why he is so loved locally. His Dame, Nurse Nellie Nurofenna Nightcap, is gloriously over the top, packed with quick asides and relentless audience interaction. The running gag of “cooeee Craig”, aimed at an unsuspecting gentleman in the front row, becomes the laugh of the night, building every time it comes back around.
Ben Goffe returns as Muddles and racks up some of the biggest laughs, especially in scenes shared with his stage “mum” Nurse Nellie. His comedy is warm, clever, and never tries too hard. Abbie Budden brings a likeable warmth to Princess Beauty, while Duncan Drury plays Prince Scott with just the right balance of charm, heroic without tipping into smug. Thom Tuck leans neatly into the role of King Keir, think posh English monarch, while Gabrielle Friedman adds sparkle and clarity as the Fairy Slumber.
Visually, it delivers exactly what you want from a Christmas panto. Bright, colourful sets, confident lighting, and tightly rehearsed dance numbers give the whole production a real sense of polish. The local young performers blend seamlessly with the professional cast, adding an extra layer of community pride to the show.
What really stands out is how inclusive the humour feels. There are plenty of topical references and knowing nods for grown-ups, but never at the expense of the younger audience. Children stay engaged from start to finish, while adults often find themselves laughing even harder.
Produced by Imagine Theatre, this is a confident, joyful pantomime that knows exactly what it is and executes it well. If you are still debating whether to book, stop hesitating. This is festive theatre done properly, big-hearted, funny, and full of magic.
Sleeping Beauty runs at the Wyvern Theatre until Sunday 4 January. Book tickets here
