“It’s no snoozefest, I’ll tell you that,” says drama queen Miss Rory as the grand dame of the Empire’s pantos gears up for this year’s festive offering. Miss Rory will be stepping into the stilettos of Rorina the Cleaner in Sleeping Beauty, alongside silly sidekick Tom Whalley as Vesta the Jester. Running from Friday, December 12 to Sunday, January 4, the festive show also stars Call the Midwife star Laura Main as Fairy Snowfall, Channel 5 Milkshake! presenter David Ribi as Prince Vincent and West End star Jordan Lee Davies as Carabosse.placeholder image
“It’s no snoozefest, I’ll tell you that,” says drama queen Miss Rory as the grand dame of the Empire’s pantos gears up for this year’s festive offering. Miss Rory will be stepping into the stilettos of Rorina the Cleaner in Sleeping Beauty, alongside silly sidekick Tom Whalley as Vesta the Jester. Running from Friday, December 12 to Sunday, January 4, the festive show also stars Call the Midwife star Laura Main as Fairy Snowfall, Channel 5 Milkshake! presenter David Ribi as Prince Vincent and West End star Jordan Lee Davies as Carabosse. | Sunderland Echo

I think these are the best pantos in the North East for Christmas 2025

By Katy Wheeler

Lifestyle Editor

Published 10th Nov 2025, 13:53 GMT

From scaling new heights with Peter Pan to having a ball with Cinderella, there’s a host of panto classics heading to the North East for Christmas 2025.

Here’s our pick of the shows.

David Farn pens the panto at Sunderland's oldest community theatre, which this year marked 100 years in the city. Dick Whittington is more affordable than most pantos with tickets starting at £8.50.

5. Dick Whittington, Royalty Theatre, Sunderland, December 5-21

David Farn pens the panto at Sunderland's oldest community theatre, which this year marked 100 years in the city. Dick Whittington is more affordable than most pantos with tickets starting at £8.50. | Sunderland Echo

Arts Centre Washington is hoping to banish the post-Christmas blues with its January panto, Beauty and the Beast. Washington Theatre Group is bringing a fresh twist to the beloved tale.

6. Beauty and the Beast, Arts Centre Washington, January 16-31

Arts Centre Washington is hoping to banish the post-Christmas blues with its January panto, Beauty and the Beast. Washington Theatre Group is bringing a fresh twist to the beloved tale. | Submitted

Starring singing legend Maureen Nolan as the Fairy Godmother, Britain’s Got Talent winners Twist & Pulse, panto favourites Charlie Richmond as Buttons, Radio legend Robbie Dee, plus Lewis Denny and Micky Cochrane as the Ugly Sisters, Cinderella is set to be a ball at Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Newcastle.

7. Cinderella, Tyne Theatre & Opera House, December 5 - January 4

Starring singing legend Maureen Nolan as the Fairy Godmother, Britain’s Got Talent winners Twist & Pulse, panto favourites Charlie Richmond as Buttons, Radio legend Robbie Dee, plus Lewis Denny and Micky Cochrane as the Ugly Sisters, Cinderella is set to be a ball at Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Newcastle. | Google

CBBC legend Dani Harmer stars in Beauty and the Beast in Whitley Bay and is joined by panto regular Steve Walls.

8. Beauty & the Beast, Playhouse Whitley Bay, December 5 - January 3

CBBC legend Dani Harmer stars in Beauty and the Beast in Whitley Bay and is joined by panto regular Steve Walls. | Whitley Bay Playhouse

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