Sleeping Beauty

The magical world of Sleeping Beauty is brought to life in this spectacular, fun-filled, family pantomime, led by Mercury’s award winning duo Dale Superville and ‘the best Dame in the country’ (British Theatre) Antony Stuart-Hicks.

Once upon a time in Colchesteria, Princess Luna is turning 18 but all celebrations have been banned by her wicked Aunt Carabosse, who is determined to stop Luna from taking her rightful place as Queen.

Carabosse tricks her niece into pricking her finger on a spinning wheel needle, cursing her to everlasting sleep. Only true love’s kiss can break the curse and wake the princess.

Now it’s up to her friends, Fairy Fizz, Dame Maris Piper and Spud to find her Prince, defeat the evil Carabosse and save Luna!

Will the curse be lifted? Will true love conquer all? Join us this Christmas on an unforgettable wintery adventure to find out!

Directed by Mercury’s Artistic Director Ryan McBryde (Aladdin, The Comedy of Errors), Sleeping Beauty jumps off the page in a side-splitting adaptation by Guy Unsworth (Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em).

Content to Consider and Accessibility

Please be aware this show will contain flashing lights and loud music.

If you’d prefer to attend a Relaxed Performance (where lighting and sound effects will be reduced) we have two scheduled, these will be on Thu 7 Dec, 10.15am (this performance will also be open as a relaxed schools performance) and Sat 6 Jan, 2pm (this performance is also BSL interpreted).

We are also offering BSL performances on Fri 8 Dec, 7pm and Sat 6 Jan, 2pm (this performance is also a relaxed performance); Audio Described performances on Sat 9 Dec, 2pm (with a touch tour at 12.30pm) and Sat 13 Jan, 7pm (with a touch tour at 5.30pm); and Captioned performances on Sat 9 Dec, 7pm and Sat 13 Jan, 2pm.

If you are attending a relaxed performance, or would like to know more about specific elements of the show, please view our social story below (please be aware that this contains spoilers). If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Social Story

Adult Performances

Out 18+ adult performances are known for being a little more risqué! If you want to leave the kids at home and double the laughter, these performances will be on: Wed 3 Jan, 7.30pm; Thu 4 Jan, 7.30pm; Fri 5 Jan, 7.30pm; Wed 10 Jan, 7.30pm; Thu 11 Jan, 7.30pm; and Fri 12 Jan, 7.30pm – all in Jan 2024.

Booking for a school?

We can’t wait to welcome schools back to the marvellous Mercury pantomime this festive season!

Our schools performances are:

2023: Wed 29 Nov, 10.15am & 2pm; Thu 30 Nov, 10.15am & 2pm; Fri 1 Dec, 12pm; Tue 5 Dec, 10.15am; Wed 6 Dec, 10.15am & 2pm
Thu 7 Dec, 10.15am (Relaxed Schools Performance) & 2pm; Fri 8 Dec, 12pm; Tue 12 Dec, 2pm; Wed 13 Dec, 10.15am & 2pm; Thu 14 Dec, 10.15am & 2pm; Fri 15 Dec, 12pm
2024: Tue 9 Jan, 10.15am

Early bird tickets for schools are £12 (including levy) and for every 10 tickets you buy the 11th is free for a teacher or member of support staff. To secure your tickets at this exclusive price you need to pay for your order by the end of the Summer term (July 2023). Tickets after this date will be £14 (including levy).

You can book today (and even pre-order your ice cream!) by filling in our form or by calling our customer experience team on 01206 573948. Please be aware the form will ask you for your first and second choice performances dates and times, so please do have a look through the performance schedule below before heading over to the form.

Schools Order Form

Download our Education Pack

Schools Workshop

Make your school’s visit to the Mercury panto even more enriching with our fun workshop exploring character archetypes, fairy tales and conventional storylines. This practical storytelling workshop is the perfect Christmas treat for a class-sized group before or after they’ve seen the show. The workshop can take place either in school or at the theatre and we can adjust the duration to fit with your lesson timetable.

Find out more here and contact our Box Office to book.

Booster Seats

Need a little lift to get the best view? Booster seats are available at the door to the theatre. Pick one up on your way in!

Panto Shout-Out/Birthday Book

If you’d like our cast to say Happy Birthday or give a shout out to a member of your party during the show, below is a form where you can submit your requests.

Please note, we wish we could use every message we receive, but sadly that’s never possible and we can’t offer any guarantee that your birthday or shout out will be used in the show.

Submit your Shoutout