Time to book the Sleeping Beauty

Buxton Opera House – Saturday 10 December 2022–Sunday 1 January 2023

There is nothing like a dame – and this time she might cast a spell on you!

Buxton Opera House is delighted to welcome panto favourite James Holmes, returning for the seventh time – this year playing the role of the mischievous Carabossy – an evil fairy with a sweet side.

A familiar face on TV, James is best known for his many appearances as Clive in the award-winning TV comedy Miranda.

Joined by Buxton regular Matthew Jay Ryan, Matt will be playing Jock the palace cleaner who tidies up the debris left by Carabossy’s attempted spells and messy boiling cauldron –  ensuring everyone boos, hisses and joins in the singing.

Once upon a time . . . Princess Beauty is about to celebrate her 18^th birthday. The King has banned all spinning wheels from the kingdom, but will this save the Princess from the Evil Fairy’s curse?  Can the panto cast and a handsome Prince save the day and end Sleeping Beauty’s 100-year slumber?

As always the annual pantomime, produced and designed at Buxton Opera House, has the right ingredients for festive celebrations guaranteed.  Expect the magic and sparkle for the perfect Christmas treat – side-splitting comedy, great songs, colourful dance routines and even a scary dragon!

Paul Kerryson, Chief Executive, Buxton Opera House, said:

“The annual pantomime is always a highlight on the Opera House calendar and we’re looking forward to welcoming old friends and new. Once again, we’ve lined up an action packed show with all the ingredients needed for a magical Christmas treat and our panto cast can’t wait to be back in Buxton to celebrate the festive season with this great show.”

The line up for this year is: Rebecca Mendoza Fairy Liquid; James Holmes Carabossy; Matthew Jay Ryan Jock; Jennifer Hague Queen; Andrew Sharpe King; Lucas Bailey Thomas the Cat; Georgia Gallagher Princess Beauty and Ross Clifton Prince Gorgeous

Once again the pantomime will be directed by Paul Kerryson with choreography by
Tracey Iliffe; costumes designed by Charles Cusick-Smith; lighting designed by Tom Davis and sound designed by Eoin O’Grady.

Sleeping Beauty opens on Saturday 10 December and runs until Sunday 1 January with a wide range of performance times to suit everyone. There will be a relaxed performance on 14 December and a BSL interpreted performance on 28 December.

Tickets and further info: