The spell has been cast, the curtain is waiting to rise, and a cast of professional performers with Essex roots are set to help bring this year’s magical pantomime to life at Clacton’s Princes Theatre.

The Magical Adventures of Sleeping Beauty, presented by Shone Productions, will run at the Tendring District Council-run theatre from Saturday, 5 December, to Tuesday, 29 December, 2026.

Audiences are invited to step into a sparkling Pantoland adventure packed with dazzling dance routines, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes, incredible circus acts and plenty of laugh-out-loud panto fun.

This year’s cast has a strong Essex connection, with professional performers from across the county joining the production alongside young dancers from Signature Dance School in Clacton and the surrounding area.

Ellie Gregory, from Canvey Island, will play Princess Beauty, making her pantomime debut at the Princes Theatre while training at the prestigious Laine Theatre Arts.

Jennifer Henderson, from Colchester, will bring sparkle as The Fairy, while Bethan Marshall, from Chelmsford, returns to Clacton to play the wicked Carabosse after appearing in last year’s panto.

Abbie Ursell, from Frinton-on-Sea, and Natasha Mason, from Southend-on-Sea, will join the female ensemble, with the Princes Theatre stage also set to shine thanks to juvenile dancers from Signature Dance School.

They will be joined by AJ Barker as Chuckles the Clown, bringing more than a decade of comedy, circus and family entertainment experience, and William Stock as Prince William, who trained in musical theatre at ArtsEd and Emil Dale Academy.

The show tells the much-loved story of Princess Beauty, cursed by the evil Carabosse to prick her finger on a spinning wheel on her 21st birthday. With help from her fairy, a brave prince and a little panto magic, audiences will discover whether love, laughter and a battle with a dragon can save the day.

James Shone, of Shone Productions, said: “There is something really special about bringing pantomime to Clacton, and this year feels even more exciting because so much local talent is part of the magic.

“Sleeping Beauty is a proper fairy-tale adventure, with everything families love about panto – big songs, colourful costumes, plenty of comedy, a wicked villain, a brave prince and a dragon thrown in for good measure.

“We want audiences to walk into the Princes Theatre and feel like they have stepped into another world. It will be bright, funny, spectacular and full of festive sparkle from start to finish.”

Tickets start from £17, making it a real festive treat for families looking to enjoy a traditional Christmas outing together.

Councillor Gary Scott, Tendring District Council’s Cabinet Member for Arts, Culture and Heritage, said: “Pantomime is one of the real highlights of the festive season at the Princes Theatre, and Sleeping Beauty has all the ingredients for a wonderful family show.

“It is fantastic to see performers from across Essex involved, and especially young dancers from Clacton and the surrounding area getting the chance to be part of such a special production on their local stage.

“Whether you are bringing children, grandchildren, friends or simply your best panto voice, this promises to be a magical trip to the theatre and a brilliant way to celebrate Christmas in Clacton.”

Tickets are available now from the Princes Theatre website at www.princestheatre.co.uk or by calling the Box Office on 01255 686633 (Option 1).

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