“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

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

From the Snowman to The Futureheads - 9 top Christmas shows heading to Sunderland this festive season

By Katy Wheeler

Lifestyle Editor

Published 24th Nov 2025, 14:15 GMT

Updated 24th Nov 2025, 14:18 GMT

From a screening of The Snowman with a live band to rejigged Christmas classics from The Futureheads, there’s plenty of shows happening in the city to get you in the festive spirit.

Here’s a rundown of some of the events taking place.

9. 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

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From the Snowman to The Futureheads - 9 top Christmas shows heading to Sunderland this festive season

From a screening of The Snowman with a live band to rejigged Christmas classics from The Futureheads, there’s plenty of shows happening in the city to get you in the festive spirit.

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

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