Catherine Tate to make Palladium pantomime debut in Sleeping Beauty

Catherine Tate will star as Carabosse the Wicked Fairy in this year’s pantomime at the London Palladium.

She will appear alongside pantomime stalwart Julian Clary, Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Rob Madge in Sleeping Beauty.

It is produced by Michael Harrison for Crossroads Pantomimes, with the pantomime marking the 10th anniversary season at the venue.

Others in the cast include Jon Culshaw, Emily Lane and Amonik Melaco.

Tate, who will be making her Palladium Panto debut this year, said: “After seeing last year’s Palladium panto, I just couldn’t resist being part of this fabulous tradition - especially for its very special 10th season. I’m super excited to be in Sleeping Beauty - it’s going to be so much fun, especially getting to play the baddie and share the stage with the wonderful Julian Clary. Roll on rehearsals - I can’t wait to get started."

Harrison, who this year celebrates a decade as producer and director of the pantomime at the London Palladium, said: "Since we returned pantomime to the London Palladium, the response of our wonderful audiences has been thrilling. Now, as we begin preparations for our 10th production, I can’t wait to welcome Catherine Tate to the company of Sleeping Beauty, and also to thank everyone who has contributed to bringing pantomime so magnificently back to London’s home of variety."

He added: "We plan to celebrate our 10th anniversary in true Palladium panto style, and will be pulling out all the stops to mark this incredible milestone with the scale and spectacle that our audiences so enjoy."

Harrison’s production has set designs by Mark Walters and costume designs by Hugh Durrant, Teresa Nalton and Mike Coltman with choreography by Karen Bruce, visual special effects by the Twins FX, lighting designs by Ben Cracknell, sound designs by Matt Peploe and composition and orchestrations by Gary Hind.

Sleeping Beauty is produced and directed by Harrison for Crossroads Pantomimes, which is part of Crossroads Live.