Thanks to support from The National Lottery, Sleeping Beauty will be the first socially-distanced pantomime to run in Milton Keynes Theatre. On top of this, Milton Keynes Theatre are delighted to announce that all tickets for the first performance of Sleeping Beauty, will be gifted to NHS workers and their families. Emma Sullivan, Theatre Director of Milton Keynes Theatre said today ‘We are totally overjoyed to be opening our doors again for a fantastic family pantomime! With thanks to Qdos and The National Lottery we will be able to host an unforgettable festive experience with all the laughs and thrills you would expect, while making sure the theatre is absolutely safe for our audiences. This year, we hope to give Milton Keynes a much-needed Christmas to remember!’
The production is able to go ahead thanks to the support of The National Lottery, giving thousands of theatregoers the chance to enjoy socially distanced pantomimes this Christmas. This initiative between The National Lottery and Qdos Entertainment is providing financial support for theatres to stage socially distanced live pantomimes making it viable for venues to open their doors to the general public, generating vital income for the theatre and helping to restore jobs whilst also providing much needed cheer.
Best-known for winning the BBC talent show Any Dream Will Do, Lee Mead won the title role in the West End revival of Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat to rave reviews. Since then Lee has had lead roles in Wicked and Legally Blonde in the West End, released several solo albums and toured extensively. Lee starred as Lofty in Casualty, and Holby City and now makes his royal return to Milton Keynes as The Prince. Joining him will be screen and stage star Claire Sweeney in the role of the evil Carabosse, along with Hearsay’s Suzanne Shaw as The Enchantress. Starring as Princess Beauty’s hilarious best friend Muddles is comedian and magician Pete Firman. Legends of comedy, Allan Stewart and Andy Gray star as The King and Queen and completing the all-star cast will be Will Jennings as Slimeball and Tegan Bannister as Princess Beauty.
This new production will be packed full of comedy routines, audience-safe participation and all the unmissable magic that Milton Keynes Theatre audiences have come to expect from their annual festive pantomime. The previously advertised production of Jack and the Beanstalk will be staged in 2021.
Sleeping Beauty is at Milton Keynes Theatre from Saturday 19 December 2020 to Sunday 10 January 2021 with tickets available from Wednesday 18 November at 10.00am.
You can buy tickets here.
NHS workers just need to head to healthservicediscounts.com and register for the ballot.
