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BrumHour saw Sleeping Beauty at the invite of Wolverhampton Grand.
By David Fox
Sleeping Beauty at Wolverhampton Grand: Panto Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”Funny, energetic and spectacular”
It’s Panto Season! And Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre wows with another fantastic show full of fun, excitement, mayhem, and laughter with their latest production of Sleeping Beauty!
The wicked fairy Carabosse curses Princess Beauty to prick her finger on her 21st birthday and fall into an eternal sleep. The good fairies soften the spell, leaving a glimmer of hope that true love’s kiss can break the enchantment.
In this year’s spectacular winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Danny Beard, stars as Carabosse, the most fabulous panto villain you’ve ever seen! She stars alongside Wolverhampton panto royalty Tam Ryan and Ian Adams. Other stars have an exceptional musical theatre pedigree: Impressions from Debra Stephensonas the Queen, joined by Zak Douglas, Georgia Iudica-Davies, and from Codsall via London’s West End, Solomon Davy as the Prince, returning to the Grand after his fantastic performance in Hairspray earlier this year!
There’s a fantastic blend of comedy and music throughout the show, keeping the audience laughing and tapping along from start to finish. Tam Ryan is absolutely hilarious as Mickey this year, delivering every line with impeccable timing and charm, while Ian Adams is, as always, a formidable Dame — larger-than-life, uproarious, and utterly magnetic. Together, they form a dynamic duo, not just performing but also having penned the show themselves, and their finely tuned slapstick routines, witty exchanges, and relentless stream of jokes guarantee laughter at every turn.
Adding to the comedy gold is Zak Douglas as the hapless Herald, whose bumbling antics and perfect comedic timing make him the ideal foil to the leads. It’s a show packed with humour, heart, and consistently brilliant performances.
The undeniable stand-out star of the entire production was Danny Beard, who stormed the stage as a magnificently Maleficent-esque Carabosse. Draped in delicious wickedness, Beard delivered a performance that was equal parts theatrical venom and glittering camp brilliance. A drag-queen icon with charisma to burn, Danny didn’t just play the villain — they luxuriated in it, tossing out barbed asides and razor-sharp glares with the effortless flair of someone born to make an audience boo, hiss, and secretly adore every second. It was a powerhouse turn, stuffed with wicked humour and grandiose villainy, and by the end, it was impossible not to cheer for the baddie. Quite simply, an absolute superstar.
The show was packed with fantastic musical numbers that had something for the whole family, from show-stopping hits from Wicked and Chicago to a glittering, high-energy Kylie-inspired finale. The ensemble shone throughout, delivering wonderful singing and dancing with precision, flair, and infectious enthusiasm. One of the standout moments for me was a brilliantly executed slapstick routine featuring Tam Ryan, Ian Adams, Zak Douglas, and Solomon Davy. Their chaotic, custard-pie-laden take on the Twelve Days of Christmas had the audience roaring with laughter, combining impeccable timing, physical comedy, and sheer theatrical mischief. It was messy, ridiculous, and absolutely hilarious — a true highlight of the evening.
Everything about Sleeping Beauty was spectacular — a vibrant mix of fabulous costumes and a sparkling, eye-catching set. The designers went all-in, creating a world that shimmered from every angle. The highlight had to be the animatronic giant dragon in the finale: enormous, brilliantly executed, and genuinely thrilling. When it breathed fire, you could actually feel the heat in the audience. It was a brilliant burst of theatrical magic.
Sleeping Beauty is funny, energetic and spectacular – the perfect way to start Christmas, and a highlight of the season! The Grand lives up to its name as everything about the show certainly is Grand – probably the best Panto I have ever seen! It has something for everybody and comes highly recommended – the perfect show for families. As always, Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre remains one of my favourite Midland theatres, and a great place to see a panto!
Sleeping Beauty is now playing at Wolverhampton Grand until 4th January 2026. Book tickets here: grandtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/sleeping-beauty.
