Sleeping Beauty at The Little Theatre, Leicester Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Katy Nettleton
The magic of Christmas is well and truly alive at The Little Theatre, Leicester, with their dazzling production of Sleeping Beauty. A traditional family pantomime brimming with giggles, gags, and festive cheer, this show has something for everyone—from mischievous children to chuckling grandparents. It’s the ultimate holiday treat, proving once again that pantomimes are the gift that keeps on giving.
From the moment the curtains rose, it was clear this was a production crafted with love and flair. The enchanting Fairy Fairweather (Rose Bale) set the tone with her incredible voice, effortlessly filling the theatre with warmth and wonder. Opposing her, the deliciously wicked Carabosse (Olivia Phillips) stole the show with her sinister charisma, embodying the very essence of panto villainy. Hisses and boos were well deserved, but so too were the cheers for her phenomenal performance.
Tickles, the court jester (Russell Webster), was an absolute triumph—a whirlwind of innocence, silliness, and brilliant comic timing. His jokes had both kids and adults roaring with laughter, particularly when he rallied the audience for a good old-fashioned call-and-response moment: “What do we want?” “Tickles!” “When do we want them?” “Now!” Pure gold.
No pantomime would be complete without its dame, and John Bale as Nanny Night-Nurse was everything you could want and more. With extravagant costumes, quick wit, and boundless energy, Bale’s Dame delivered belly laughs and kept the spirit of panto alive and kicking. Meanwhile, Allan Smith as King Sat-Upon the Seventh brought delightful bumbling charm, and Sophie May as Princess Aurora delivered a heartfelt performance, her stunning voice elevating every scene she was in.
Prince Rupert of Euphoria (Thom Jones) may have joked about his singing abilities, but his stage presence was second to none. He embodied the role of the dashing, slightly hapless prince to perfection, winning over the audience with charm and humour.
The production design deserves its own round of applause. While simple, the use of painted backdrops and clever lighting created an immersive fairy tale atmosphere. Music Director Paul Timms, donning multiple hats throughout the show, deserves a standing ovation for his vibrant musical accompaniment, which kept the energy soaring from start to finish.
Adding a special touch to this review is a glowing endorsement from my 11-year-old son: “Sleeping Beauty was a wonderful performance. My favourite character was Dame Nanny Night-Nurse. She and Tickles brought so much energy, and their jokes and audience involvement were hilarious. The dancers were fantastic too, playing an important role. I’d give it 4 out of 5 stars!”
With tickets priced from £17.50 for children and £20.00 for adults, this pantomime offers unbeatable value for a family-friendly Christmas spectacle. The running time of 2 hours and 30 minutes (including an interval for ice cream!) is perfect for keeping younger audiences entertained without overstaying their welcome.
If you’re looking for a festive treat that will leave you grinning from ear to ear, make your way to The Little Theatre before this show ends on 5th January 2025. It’s a heart warming, laughter-filled extravaganza that’s sure to sprinkle a bit of fairy dust on your Christmas season. Don’t miss it!
Tickets are selling fast—book yours now at The Little Theatre website: thelittletheatre.co.uk
Rating: 4/5