Sleeping Beauty review

“Gloriously noisy”

ReviewsDec 3, 202511:35 by Anya RyanArts Theatre, Cambridge

Matt Crosby in Sleeping Beauty at the Arts Theatre, Cambridge. Photo: Richard Hubert Smith

Matt Crosby in Sleeping Beauty at the Arts Theatre, Cambridge. Photo: Richard Hubert Smith

Chris Jarvis’ frenetic production delivers on tradition, with Matt Crosby creating a lot of the fun as Dame Nanny Nutkins in his 20th Arts Theatre panto

Read this article for free!

Join over 100,000 theatremakers who rely on The Stage for trusted news, reviews, and insight.

🔓 Sign in below or create a free account to read 5 free articles.

Anya Ryan

Anya Ryan

More from this Author

Ceilidh the Musical review

The Snowman review

The Manningtree Witches review

More on this topic

Cloud 9 at the National Theatre – review round-up

Cloud 9 at the National Theatre – review round-up

Review Round-Ups by Fergus Morgan

Hamlet Hail to the Thief review

Hamlet Hail to the Thief review

Reviews by Dave FargnoliBarbican Theatre, London

National Theatre receives £15m boost to touring work in bid to reach 100,000 young people

National Theatre receives £15m boost to touring work in bid to reach 100,000 young people

News by Katie Chambers

Michael Boyd adaptation and Adura Onashile in NTS 2027 season

Michael Boyd adaptation and Adura Onashile in NTS 2027 season

Production News by Fergus Morgan

More Reviews

Latest
Most Read

Hamlet Hail to the Thief review

Hamlet Hail to the Thief review

Barbican Theatre, London

First Encounters: Julius Caesar review

First Encounters: Julius Caesar review

The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon

Making Way review

Making Way review

Òran Mór, Glasgow

Dogstar review

Dogstar review

Hampstead Theatre Studio, London

Mike Carlton

St Eugen Cabaret Bar, Costa Adeje, Tenerife

Luisa Miller

Holland Park Theatre, London

Seven Years in the Bathroom

Soho Theatre, London

Cinderella

White Rock, Hastings

Recommended for you

Cloud 9 at the National Theatre – review round-up

Cloud 9 at the National Theatre – review round-up

Review Round-Ups by Fergus Morgan

Hamlet Hail to the Thief review

Hamlet Hail to the Thief review

Reviews by Dave FargnoliBarbican Theatre, London

National Theatre receives £15m boost to touring work in bid to reach 100,000 young people

National Theatre receives £15m boost to touring work in bid to reach 100,000 young people

News by Katie Chambers

Michael Boyd adaptation and Adura Onashile in NTS 2027 season

Michael Boyd adaptation and Adura Onashile in NTS 2027 season

Production News by Fergus Morgan

Anya Ryan

Anya Ryan

Anya Ryan is a freelance journalist, assistant producer and theatre critic

More from this author

Ceilidh the Musical review

The Snowman review

The Manningtree Witches review

Reviews

Latest
Most Read

Hamlet Hail to the Thief review

First Encounters: Julius Caesar review

Making Way review

Dogstar review

Prima Facie review

Humanhood Dance Company: Vortex review

Cloud 9 review

The Lives of Others review

Burlesque review

Nero review

Speculations review

Prima Facie review

Jobs

Seasonal Dresser - Stoke-on-...

City: Stoke-on-Trent Salary: £12.71 per ...

Summer Theatre Jobs in America

City: New York Salary: Salary + J1...

Stage Technician

City: Hampton Salary: £29,305 - £...

Freelance - Events Project M...

City: London Salary: Up to £25,0...

Head of Producing & Programming

City: London Salary: £50,000-£55...

Wigs, Hair and Makeup Show P...

City: London Salary: Compeitive

Wigs, Hair and Makeup Show P...

City: London Salary: Compeitive

Production Coordinator

City: London Salary: £30,000 – £...

Production Coordinator

City: London Salary: Competitive

Toy Demonstrators - Hamleys!

City: London Salary: Day Rate Pl...

Deputy Head of Sound

City: Chichester Salary: £37,000 - £...

Head of Automation

City: London Salary: Competitive

Guest Experience Host - Jesu...

City: London Salary: £14.79 / Hour

Head of Administration, Prog...

City: Bowness on Windermere Salary: £35,000 - £...

Receptionist - Sonia Friedma...

City: London Salary: Compeititve

Latest Issue

The Stage Magazine - November 2026

The Stage Magazine - November 2026

The Stage Debut Awards 2026 The winners of the ninth annual The Stage Debut Awards revealed
The Stage: On Tour Our team travels to Birmingham
The Stage Interview Helen Edmundson, Blanche McIntyre & Anne-Marie Duff
My Favourite Play Simon Russell Beale

More Reviews

Hamlet Hail to the Thief review

Barbican Theatre, London

First Encounters: Julius Caesar review

The Other Place, Stratford-upon-Avon

Making Way review

Òran Mór, Glasgow

Dogstar review

Hampstead Theatre Studio, London

Recommended for you

Cloud 9 at the National Theatre – review round-up

Review Round-Ups by Fergus Morgan

Hamlet Hail to the Thief review

Reviews by Dave FargnoliBarbican Theatre, London

National Theatre receives £15m boost to touring work in bid to reach 100,000 young people

News by Katie Chambers

Michael Boyd adaptation and Adura Onashile in NTS 2027 season

Production News by Fergus Morgan

Most Read

Across The Stage this week

Linus Roache withdraws from Michael Sheen’s Owain & Henry

Cloud 9 review

Milly Alcock and Damian Lewis to star in Rupert Goold’s inaugural Old Vic season

Royal Ballet and Opera asks staff to cover front-of-house shifts following cuts

The Mousetrap artistic director to step down after 18 years in post

National Theatre receives £15m boost to touring work in bid to reach 100,000 young people

Nero review

Matt Smith to star in world premiere of Jack Thorne’s The Humans

Theatre bosses urge PM to protect women in arts after Brand crimes

Prima Facie review

Your subscription helps ensure our journalism can continue

Invest in The Stage today with a subscription starting at just £7.99

Magazine

Opinion & Advice

The Stage Interview

My Favourite Play

More

Get Into Theatre

Info

Advertising Enquiries

Awards

The Stage Awards

The Stage Debut Awards

The British Audio Awards

Legal

Terms & Conditions

Advertising Terms & Conditions

Subscriptions Terms & Conditions

Contributor Agreement

Community Guidelines

Digital

Magazine Editions

Subscribe

Subscribe

From just £1.52 a week Subscribe

© Copyright Playbook Media Trading Company Limited 2026. All rights reserved.