Stafford Gatehouse Theatre has announced the principal cast for the spellbinding family pantomime Sleeping Beauty, which will show from 5 December until 4 January.

Taking centre stage in the title role is Soleil Quarless, hoping to win the heart of Prince Rufus played by TikTok sensation Finlay McKillop. 

Ian Billings joins as bumbling King Louis, who is desperately trying to protect his daughter from a wicked curse, while Staffordshire-born Emily Vinnicombe sprinkles panto magic as Fairy Flutterby. 

They join Bafta Award-winning presenter and Pop Idol finalist Mark Rhodes as Hilarious Hector, legendary dame David Phipps-Davis as larger-than-life Nurse Nora Knickerbocker and boo-hiss baddie Samantha Spragg, who can't wait to put the ‘boss’ in Carabosse. 

Sleeping Beauty is being produced by award-winning Imagine Theatre and promises to bring this much-loved tale to life in a show packed with dazzling costumes, laugh-a-minute antics, loads of audience interaction, catchy songs, and classic panto magic. It's the ultimate festive family treat. 

When the wicked fairy’s evil curse causes the Princess to prick her finger on a spinning wheel and fall into an enchanted sleep, can anyone rescue her from the magical slumber before it's too late? 

Sleeping Beauty shows at Stafford Gatehouse Theatre from 5 December until 4 January. Tickets are on sale at gatehousetheatre.co.uk.