Panto magic at the New Theatre Cardiff as Gethin Jones stars in Sleeping Beauty

Thanks to the New Theatre for providing us with review tickets for Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty has opened in Cardiff and it’s every bit as spectacular as we’ve come to expect from the New Theatre’s annual panto.

The booing and hissing begins as soon as the show starts, and the audience interaction doesn’t stop for the next hour and three quarters, as we yell ‘she’s behind you’ and ‘oh no, you’re not’, clap along to vibrant musical numbers, and sing a tongue twister of a song which has us all laughing as it inevitably goes wrong.

We’ve been coming to the New Theatre panto as a family since 2015 – in fact, my husband and I were regulars even before we had children – and it’s always such a fun night out for all ages. Yes, it’s formulaic at times with the same comedy skits and slapstick humour we’ve seen time and again – but that’s exactly why we love it, because the old classics will never stop being funny, and whether it’s your first time or you’re a regular, you feel so welcomed and appreciated by the cast, with the audience an integral part of the show.

This year’s panto is slick, polished and filled with brilliant visual and special effects, as Princess Aurora is cursed into a deep sleep, the prince hopes to break the spell, and the evil Carabosse plots to become queen.

Local Cardiff boy turned national TV treasure Gethin Jones stars as our panto prince for the second year running (watch my interview with him above as he recalls Christmases as a child in Cardiff and talks about the huge sense of responsibility of being a part of so many people’s Christmases). He’s charming, the audience love him, and you can feel the warmth and rapport on stage as he reunites with several of the cast from last year’s Cinderella. “I recognise you,” he tells Spirit of the Pantomime, weatherman and radio presenter Owain Wyn Evans, who dazzles in glitzy sequins and even gives us one of those drum solos he’s so famous for. “You’ve got the same chariot and costume as last year,” he eye rolls perfectly.

Liverpudlian comedian Jack Ryan is back as comedy sidekick playing the endearing Muddles, while local performer Jalisa Phoenix-Robert, one of last year’s Ugly Sisters, is wonderfully wicked as the evil Carabosse.

Emma Kirk, another local performer, joins the cast as the sweet Princess Aurora and what a fantastic addition she is with the most beautiful vocals and serene stage presence. It’s no surprise to see she’s a musical theatre performer, having previously played Sophie in Mamma Mia – hopefully it won’t be too long before we get to see her on the stage in Cardiff again.

And of course there’s legendary Cardiff panto dame Mike Doyle, as Nurse Nellie with the witty one liners and over the top outfits we’ve come to know and love. The audience need no persuasion to join in with his catchphrase “How’s it going? Alriiiiggght” and judging by the number of kids who are saying these words before the show even starts, it’s clear we are not the only ones coming back year after year.  Doyle and Ryan have a brilliant onstage rapport, providing plenty of laughs, the Elvis scene in particular has the audience laughing out loud.

There are moments when we’re not sure if the laugher is scripted or if the cast are about to descend into a fit of giggles on stage. And that’s one of the best elements of panto – it doesn’t take itself too seriously, things can and do go wrong, and when they do it’s brilliant.

As always at the New Theatre, the whole production looks incredible, with an array of spectacular costumes, impressive sets and creative stage lighting, lively ensemble musical numbers and some really magical moments.

Age guidance wise, it’s suitable for all – my children were all between three and six when they saw their first New Theatre panto, and now as teens and tweens it’s a Christmas tradition they still really love, not to mention us as parents who say continually, we’d come even without the kids. There’s nothing too scary, and all the ‘baddie’ elements are laced with humour and plenty of booing and hissing. There’s jokes the kids will find hysterical, but moments of subtle humour that will go straight over their heads and have the adults stifling their giggles.

Sleeping Beauty is a feel-good family treat this Christmas, perfect for all ages and filled with laughter, music, and plenty of opportunities to get involved in all those panto traditions which make absolutely no sense but which we love all the same.

Sleeping Beauty is at the New Theatre, Cardiff until Sunday 4 January 2026. Tickets, priced from £21-£52 are still available. Running time is 1 hour and 45 minutes including an interval.

Relaxed performance, Tuesday 16 December at 6pm; BSL Interpreted Saturday 20 December at 2.30pm; Captioned Friday 2 January at 2.30pm; Audio Described Saturday 3 January at 2.30pm

Book online here.