SLEEPING BEAUTY Will Come to the Oak Theatre in December

Anton Benson Productions will return to the Oak Theatre with a festive production for family audiences this Christmas. Sleeping Beauty will run from Friday 11 December to Thursday 31 December at the theatre at Scarisbrick Hall near Ormskirk - including a special New Year’s Eve performance.

The bewitching panto follows the success of Jack and the Beanstalk at the state-of-the-art venue last season.

Join Princess Aurora on a magical fairytale adventure as she falls under the curse of the wicked Carabosse. Only true love’s kiss can break the spell, but will Prince Derek the Dragonslayer arrive in time to save the day?

Audiences can expect a magical time with fantastic sets and costumes, stunning special effects and a sing-along soundtrack of songs. Casting is yet to be announced.

Along with the dates for all the family, and additional schools’ performances, there will also be an adults’ only performance on Friday 18 December which will feature rude jokes and adult humour – still presented in good old-fashioned panto spirit.

The Oak Theatre is a 390-seat venue situated in the sweeping grounds of the award-winning Scarisbrick Hall School.

It champions bold storytelling and boundary-pushing performances, bringing together visionary creatives and engaged audiences to shape the future of live entertainment.

This is the second year the theatre has partnered with veteran panto producer Anton Benson Productions Ltd. ABP produces successful Christmas pantomimes for several other venues across the North West in addition to providing Easter pantos for more than 15 venues across the UK each spring.

The company has worked with many big-name stars including Les Dennis, John Thomson, Kerry Katona, Mark Labbett, Su Pollard and Basil Brush.

Oak Theatre general manager Tom Cain said, “I’m really excited to welcome Anton Benson Productions back to the Oak Theatre this Christmas. Last year’s Jack and the Beanstalk, which launched our inaugural Christmas programme, was a huge hit with audiences young and old and I know Sleeping Beauty will be just as well received.

“I’m also delighted to announce that this year we are extending the run to the end of December, culminating in an enchanting New Year’s Eve performance.”