“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

I think these are the best pantos in the North East for Christmas 2025

By Katy Wheeler

Lifestyle Editor

Published 10th Nov 2025, 13:53 GMT

From scaling new heights with Peter Pan to having a ball with Cinderella, there’s a host of panto classics heading to the North East for Christmas 2025.

Here’s our pick of the shows.

9. Peter Pan, Billingham Forum, December 1 - January 4

Peter Pan is soaring at Billingham Forum this year. It stars Liberty X’s & TV personality Michelle Heaton as Tinker Bell, Coronation Street’s Pat Phelan aka Connor McIntyre as Captain Hook, Tracey Beaker Returns & The Dumping Grounds Jessie Williams as Angela Darling and Waterloo Road’s & Hollyoaks Ben-Ryan Davies as Peter Pan. | Dave Charnley Photo: Dave Charnley

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I think these are the best pantos in the North East for Christmas 2025

From scaling new heights with Peter Pan to having a ball with Cinderella, there’s a host of panto classics heading to the North East for Christmas 2025.

9. Peter Pan, Billingham Forum, December 1 - January 4

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