Sleeping Beauty at Broadway Theatre Catford ★★★

Sleeping Beauty (with a 21st-century twist) comes to Catford Broadway Theatre this Christmas and ensures everyone leaves with a smile.

(C) Mark Senior

What’s the show about?

Once upon a time, in a faraway land called Lewishtonia, a princess was born. To celebrate her arrival, a grand party is thrown—but one guest is notably absent from the list: the wicked fairy Carabosse. Enraged by the snub, Carabosse curses the princess. On her eighteenth birthday, she pricks her finger on a spinning wheel and falls into a deep sleep, one that can only be broken by a kiss from someone who truly loves her.

With a modern 21st-century twist, this version of the tale shifts away from the traditional “rescue by a prince” narrative.

Featuring songs from iconic artists like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder, and Prince, the show offers a musical lineup guaranteed to entertain audiences of all ages.

Who’s in the cast?

Wayne Rollins returns to the Broadway Theatre this year, following last year’s memorable turn as Scarecrooooooooow, to play the oddly placed Denzil the Dragon. While he has fun with the role and this year’s catchphrase, “Messabout,” the character feels largely unnecessary to the story.

Durone Stokes once again delivers a cheerful performance as Prince Gabriel, while Ben Fox takes on King Eric the Undecided—though his appearance, oddly dressed as Santa Claus, doesn’t quite match the charm of last year’s Boris the Lying Cockroach.

Roshani Abbey (Talia) and Lisa Davina Phillip (Carabosse) shine as undeniable talents, delivering powerful vocal performances, while Natasha Lewis is delightfully sweet as Willowsnap.

Justin Brett steals the show as Dame Nanny Nora, making a grand entrance in a “Save the NHS” dress while riding a mobility scooter. With his lively catchphrase “Oi oi saveloy” and a knack for improvising with the audience, Brett injects humour and energy into the production, keeping the momentum alive.

Creative team

Written and directed by the acclaimed panto legend Susie McKenna, this production brings her signature magic and sparkle to South East London for the second consecutive year. However, it sadly falls short of the high bar set by last year’s Jack and the Beanstalk.

The sound issues, forgivable in the previous production, felt more pronounced this time—perhaps due to sitting slightly further back. With only two static speakers positioned at the front of the stage, much of the dialogue was difficult to hear, and the band’s music lacked the energy and dynamism needed to lift the performance.

Despite being promoted as having “incredible production values,” the overall presentation felt amateurish. While the giant troll was an impressive highlight, other aspects—such as slow lighting cues and scenery that awkwardly stopped midway while descending from above—left much to be desired.

Final thought

Running significantly over its advertised 120-minute runtime (including the interval), Sleeping Beauty presents a confusingly mixed narrative that, while cleverly incorporating political themes, struggles to define its identity. The Catford Broadway Theatre remains true to its community-focused ethos, with many cast members hailing from the local area. This sense of community extends to the audience, creating a shared atmosphere of enjoyment. Despite its flaws, the show ensures everyone leaves with a smile which is the main thing at this time of year and I am sure we will all be back again next year to revel in the spirit of christmas.

Assisted performances

Tuesday 10 December – 10am (RELAXED PERFORMANCE)

Thursday 12 December – 10am (BSL SIGNED PERFORMANCE)

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