Sleeping Beauty, The London Palladium, London, Review:

***** (5 stars)

“Celebrates a decade of decadent panto joy”

The biggest panto in the United Kingdom marks its 10^th anniversary since its revival at the world-famous London Palladium with a brand-new production of Sleeping Beauty the pantomime of your dreams. This really is a dream of pantomime that celebrates a decade of decadent panto joy with a show that imbues everything the Palladium Panto has come to stand for.

This Sleeping Beauty while thin on story line is filled with laughter, music, comedy including a crescendo of smut and innuendo alongside an eye-popping set, costumes and special effects that can only truly be found at the Palladium.

Leading the cast is the true queen of Camp Julian Clary as “King Julian” who once again dawns a knockout collection of costumes from acclaimed designer Hugh Durrant and proves once more that he is at the top of his game. Within just 30 seconds of his arrival on stage the palladium auditorium is a roar with laughter, no one does it quite like Julian Clary. Also returning to the stage are the regular gang of Paul Zerdrin “The Great Zerdini”, the beloved Nigel Havers “The keeper of the privy” and the simply outstanding Rob Madge as “The Diva of Dreams”. Making their Palladium panto debuts are Catherine Tatre “Carabosse”, Jon Culshaw “The King’s private detective”, Emily Lane “Princess Aurora”, Amonik Melaco “Prince Peter” and David Knox “Master of The Royal Flame”.

Performances are beyond compare with every member of the principal cast simply reveling in there moment in the spotlight Clary is on fire and the depth of his bond with Havers (who is never better) reaches new heights especially in a moment that drips with Pathos. Zerdrin and his little friend Sam bring childlike wonder that captures children young and Old. Catherine Tate who makes her first foray into pantoland and she is a natural! Getting boos with ease and there are also appearances from some of her many sketch characters and the moment a certain OAP Joannie Taylor takes a liberty and makes an appearance in an outrageous musical number! brings the house down. Jon Culshaw delivers a 21 one-gun salute of impressions, and he impresses with his incredibly gifted talent. Special mention goes to Rob Madge, they are the glue to holds the panto together with a rich stage presence that’s much by their honey-soaked vocals and comedy pedigree.

The palladium panto also features a sixteen strong ensemble who shine especially when delivering Karen Bruce’s exquisite choreography. There can’t be a more tightly drilled ensemble than this one as Burce’s choreo runs the gamut of dance styles and the boys in the ensemble show their comedy vigor as on more than one occasion they dawn the skirts and high heels to hilarious effects.

Production wise director Michael Harrison, again at the height of his pantomime powers, and his team have delivered a triumphant tour de force of a production. Mark Walters excels himself with an enchanting set design that’s brought to further vivid life by Ben Cracknell’s awesome lighting design that not only makes the set sparkle but also Teresa Nalton’s inspired costume design (with specialty costume design from Mike Coltman) which sets a new standard of excellence for pantomime costumes. Matt Peploe’s sound design is pitch perfect and to a total west end standard. The balance between performers and Gary Hind’s outstanding 12-piece pit orchestra is flawless as it is faultless.

The cherry on this anniversary pantomime cake comes from those boys at Twin’s FX who have pulled all the stops out to not only revive some awesome effects from across the previous decade but also raise the bar in a jaw dropping finale to act one that pops the eyes and the senses and ensures the Palladium Panto retains its title as the most spectacular panto in the UK and well beyond.

Sleeping Beauty at the London Palladium brings west end chutzpah to the world of pantomime and proves that when the magical formula works there is no limits to what can be achieved especially if you dream big enough. With Confirmation that panto returns to the Palladium for Christmas 2026 its clear a new golden era has established itself with a show that sparkles and proves itself to be the ultimate festive treat! So, dream big and dream quick and head to Argyle Street and the palladium for a pantomime we have all been dreaming of!

Michael Harrison in association with Crossroads Pantomimes presents Sleeping Beauty, The London Palladium, London, runs until Sunday 11^th January 2026 for more information and tickets go to: Sleeping Beauty | Palladium Pantomime Returns in 2025 | The London Palladium