York Theatre Royal's Sleeping Beauty has become a Christmas tradition for many families, delivering its fifth year of slapstick comedy and crowd-pleasing entertainment. Under the guidance of veteran panto writer-producer Paul Hendy, this take on the fairytale sticks to what works, relying on an assortment of familiar set pieces, from the ghost bench to the pre-interval spectacle.
The addition of a velociraptor named Kevin, Robin Simpson as the dame Nurse Nellie, and a range of quirky characters bring new life to the traditional panto format. Simpson shines in his role as the thrice-widowed protector, bringing an unpredictable energy that keeps audiences laughing throughout the performance. The usually-rehearsed jokes can sometimes feel forced, but Simpson's quick wit always manages to salvage any potential awkwardness.
The supporting cast delivers strong performances, with Tommy Carmichael standing out in his Buttons-style role of Jangles and the comedic pairing of Jennie Dale from CBeebies and Jocasta Almgill bringing an entertaining double act as the good and bad fairies. However, some of the show's attempts to inject local flavour feel forced, relying on a few easy cracks at Hull and Nigel Farage.
The overall effect remains one of crowd-pleasing entertainment, carefully calibrated to delight families returning year after year. With its dependable formula and a steady stream of slapstick comedy, York Theatre Royal's Sleeping Beauty has once again cemented its place as a Christmas staple in the city's festive calendar.
The addition of a velociraptor named Kevin, Robin Simpson as the dame Nurse Nellie, and a range of quirky characters bring new life to the traditional panto format. Simpson shines in his role as the thrice-widowed protector, bringing an unpredictable energy that keeps audiences laughing throughout the performance. The usually-rehearsed jokes can sometimes feel forced, but Simpson's quick wit always manages to salvage any potential awkwardness.
The supporting cast delivers strong performances, with Tommy Carmichael standing out in his Buttons-style role of Jangles and the comedic pairing of Jennie Dale from CBeebies and Jocasta Almgill bringing an entertaining double act as the good and bad fairies. However, some of the show's attempts to inject local flavour feel forced, relying on a few easy cracks at Hull and Nigel Farage.
The overall effect remains one of crowd-pleasing entertainment, carefully calibrated to delight families returning year after year. With its dependable formula and a steady stream of slapstick comedy, York Theatre Royal's Sleeping Beauty has once again cemented its place as a Christmas staple in the city's festive calendar.
, and the cast delivers solid performances all around. Robin Simpson as Nurse Nellie is a standout - his energy's infectious! The show still relies heavily on some tried-and-true set pieces, but hey, when you've got a formula that works, why fix it? 
It's great to see families returning year after year for this Christmas treat. Some of the local jokes might feel a bit forced, but overall, I'd say they do a great job bringing the community together with their slapstick comedy and good old-fashioned fun 
anyway, it's really sweet that they're still keeping the traditional panto format alive and well, even with some modern twists 
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! I also adored the new characters, especially that velociraptor Kevin 
But, yeah, some of the jokes about Hull and Nigel Farage felt kinda forced, like they were trying too hard to be local 
. Still, it's all just so cheesy and fun, what more do you want from a Christmas panto?! 
And Robin Simpson as Nurse Nellie? Classic. But, yeah, some of those local jokes felt like they were trying too hard to be "Hull-arious". Still, it's all just a fun, feel-good night out, and I'm happy to see York Theatre Royal delivering on that front. It's like the Christmas equivalent of a favourite pair of pyjamas – you know what you're getting, and it never goes out of style. 
The cast was so talented, but that one joke about Hull just felt a bit forced 
. Still, it's all in good fun and perfect for a night out with the little ones 
Can't wait to go again next year 
, and Robin Simpson's performance as Nurse Nellie is pure comedy gold 
. The supporting cast is great too, especially Jennie Dale and Jocasta Almgill's fairy duo 
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. Can't wait to check out next year's show! 
Does anyone actually live there that gets referenced in panto? 
I love how they mix old with new in this panto! The addition of Kevin the velociraptor is genius 
i love how they stick to what works & keep the formula going strong. can't wait to see what they do next yr 
The cast seems to have gotten the hang of it, especially Robin Simpson as Nurse Nellie. He brings this energy that just makes you laugh. However, some parts feel a bit forced, like when they're trying to be all local and poke fun at Hull (I'm not sure how well those jokes land) and Nigel Farage... I mean, come on, let's keep it light-hearted, right? 
! They really know how to bring out the laughs with that Nurse Nellie dame role 
. The supporting cast isn't bad either - Tommy Carmichael's Buttons-style performance as Jangles is hilarious