Dubious gags, inferred naughtiness and jokes for mum, dad and grandma, the 19th Carriageworks Theatre panto in Leeds is back in all its rumbustious, chaotic glory.

But where oh where was Sleeping Beauty’s kiss to wake her from 100 years of slumber after being placed under the spell of wicked witch, Carabosse?

A light peck on the hand followed by a hug when she and the Prince announced their nuptials? Come come! Who said romance was dead?

But, such things to one side, Jez Edwards as Muddles – the ‘silly lad’ of the piece – was back for his 16th year, wearing his part like a comfortable pair of gloves.

And the audience loved him.

Like Billy Pearce at Bradford’s Alhambra, and York’s iconic dame Berwick Kaler, Edwards has become a firm favourite of the local crowd and is clearly loved by regulars who know exactly what to expect.

And that, as one seasoned pro once told me, is the secret: give ‘em what they want and, if they like it, give it to ‘em again!

Which is why Edwards grins as he crows ‘here we go again’ and into the annual ‘behind you’ ghostbusters sketch they go…..and the crowd go wild, shouting out as they probably have done for the last 19 years!

Aaron Steadman, as Dame Dolly, is on top of his part, and, having seen him before over the years, he has grown on me. Happy to ad-lib when the moment calls – making sure Edwards picks up the tongue twister at the right point! – His costumes are brilliant, and, like his daft anchorman, the two of them drive the show on like a high-powered snowplough.

The rest is ‘pretty’, a good, solid civic-style panto that plays second fiddle to the grander regional offerings, but just as valid.

Katherine Picar as Carabosse was back at the Carriageworks – shouting loud doesn’t make you bad, just noisy: a little more subtlety would help – but Serena Walsh as the fairy was bang on: great delivery and a lovely voice with big smiles.

The first half took some winding up, but by Act II even I was laughing out loud: ‘no wonder there are so many grandparents in tonight. There’s no fuel allowance this year so it’s cheaper to come to the Carriageworks for the night,” said Edwards, leaving everyone in tears.

My first panto outing for the 2025 season, I walked to my car in the pouring rain but with a smile on my face and happiness in my heart and who could ask for more from a traditional panto? Just kiss her on the lips next time, Prince Benedict (Thomas Currie), we were all waiting for it!

Sleeping Beauty Carriageworks, Leeds
until Sun January 4th 2026