This Christmas season, the Malthouse Theatre in Canterbury celebrates a sparkling landmark: its fifth annual pantomime produced by Gardner Hodges Entertainment. From December 10, 2025 to January 3, 2026, audiences will be swept into a world of enchantment as Sleeping Beauty takes the stage in a brand-new production brimming with laughter, music, and festive spectacle. Five years may not seem long in the grand history of theatre, but for a company that has turned the Christmas panto into a local tradition, this anniversary feels momentous.
A star-studded cast
No anniversary is complete without a cast that can deliver magic, mischief, and music in equal measure. Leading the company is beloved television star Vicki Michelle, best known for the classic sitcom Allo, ‘Allo!
Michelle brings her unmistakable wit to the deliciously villainous role of Carabosse, the dark fairy whose curse sets the story in motion. Her presence alone promises a delightful blend of menace and mischief that pantomime audiences adore.
Joining her is Joseph Gardner Hodges, a Malthouse favourite returning as the irrepressible Nurse Fanny. With his trademark warmth, comic timing, and ability to turn a simple aside into a roar of laughter, Joseph provides the beating comedic heart of the show.
Adding West End sparkle is Tim Edwards as the lovable jester Jangles, while Jordan Calloway, known for his turn in Saturday Night Fever, takes on the heroic role of Prince Charming. Making her Malthouse debut, Holly Reid enchants as the graceful Princess Aurora, whose century-long sleep forms the centrepiece of the fairy tale. Completing the principal line-up, Freya Karlettis, fresh from Hairspray, spreads plenty of pixie dust as the effervescent Fairy Fabulous. Together this dynamic ensemble promises a perfect blend of charm, comedy, romance, and West End– level performance.
A proven creative team
Behind the scenes, Sleeping Beauty reunites the trusted creative team responsible for previous Malthouse triumphs including Peter Pan, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and Snow White. Director–choreographer Jay Gardner Hodges leads the charge, ensuring that the show’s dance numbers burst with energy and precision.
He is joined by Jack Hathaway on lighting design, crafting shimmering dawns and moody forests with deft artistry. Costume designer Paul Shriek promises sumptuous gowns and flamboyant villain’s attire, while Mark Walters provides a set that will whisk audiences from royal palace to enchanted wood with effortless theatrical flair. Sound designer Phil Wilson rounds out the team, ensuring every gasp, laugh, and musical crescendo rings clear. Together, their collaboration guarantees a visually dazzling and aurally rich experience for theatre-goers of all ages.
Supporting this artistic vision is Gemma Wright, the Malthouse Theatre’s dedicated theatre manager, whose steady leadership keeps every department in harmony – from front-of-house operations to backstage logistics – so the magic on stage unfolds seamlessly for audiences.
Dates, tickets, and practical magic Performances run from December 10, 2025 to January 3, 2026, with a running time of roughly two hours including interval – perfect for families seeking holiday entertainment.
Tickets range from £10 to £24.50, and family tickets start at £69 (covering two adults and two children, or one adult and three children).
The Malthouse’s bar and box office open an hour before each performance, giving patrons time to soak up the festive atmosphere. Accessibility is a priority: wheelchair spaces can be reserved by calling the box office. Limited on-site parking is available, and nearby public car parks provide additional options. While refunds are offered only if a performance is cancelled, ticket exchanges for alternative dates can be arranged subject to availability – a thoughtful touch for busy holiday schedules.
Why this year shines brightest
A fifth anniversary is more than a number; it’s a testament to a tradition that has taken root in Canterbury. Since the Malthouse launched its pantomime programme, audiences have grown steadily, eager to share an evening of family-friendly wonder.
Each year the productions have become more ambitious, blending local talent with West End professionalism and proving that high-quality festive theatre doesn’t have to mean a trip to London.
This milestone season captures all that history and channels it into something even grander. With Vicki Michelle’s star power, returning favourites like Joseph Gardner Hodges, fresh faces such as Holly Reid, and the irresistible sparkle of West End talent, Sleeping Beauty promises to be the theatre’s most magical, heart-warming, and hilarious pantomime yet.
A Canterbury Christmas tradition Whether you’ve cheered the villain every year since the first curtain rose or you’re
discovering the Malthouse panto for the very first time, 2025 offers the perfect excuse to gather loved ones and create a new holiday memory. Expect side-splitting slapstick,
sing-along tunes, dazzling costumes, and a fairy-tale romance that ends, of course, with true love’s kiss.
So don your festive jumper, warm your voice for a hearty ‘he’s behind you’ and prepare to be whisked away. After five years of delighting audiences, the Malthouse Theatre’s Sleeping Beauty isn’t just another Christmas outing – it’s a celebration of community, creativity, and the timeless power of a story well told.
Malthouse Theatre
Box office: 01227 287234
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