Comedy due set to return to Crewe Lyceum in Sleeping Beauty

It’s double the fun as panto favourites Malcolm Lord and Ste Johnston return to the Lyceum stage with their trademark festive chaos in Sleeping Beauty.

With critics last year praising the five-star panto as ‘comedy gold’ (Theatre Flyer) the much-loved duo will celebrate their fifth year working together as a double act in Crewe with Malcolm looking forward to his tenth consecutive year.

He said: “I am thrilled to be coming back to the Lyceum, my favourite theatre – My tenth year, you must be gluttons for punishment! Is it a record? And with Ste again, I’d love to say it’s a great pleasure being with him again, I’d love to say it but …… well someone has to put up with him!”

Ste adds: “I’m over the moon to be back at the beautiful Crewe Lyceum for a fifth consecutive year and being reunited once again with the legend that is Malcolm Lord. I can’t wait to get back to messing around with him on stage this Christmas and bringing the brilliant Crewe audiences another fantastic panto with Sleeping Beauty.”

Associate Producer Callum Roberts said: “We are absolutely delighted to be welcoming Malcolm and Ste back to the Lyceum this year. They bring such a fantastic energy to the stage, and their natural rapport and comic timing make them a real favourite with our audiences.

“The response to last year’s Jack and the Beanstalk was overwhelmingly positive, with audiences praising the chemistry, humour and heart they brought to the production. Building on that success, we’re incredibly excited for them to return for Sleeping Beauty.

“We’re confident it will be another magical, laugh-out-loud festive experience, and we can’t wait for the people of Crewe and beyond to join us for what promises to be a truly special pantomime season.”

Crewe Lyceum Theatre Director Graham McKnight said: “We are thrilled to have our favourite pantomime duo, Ste Johnston & Malcolm Lord back in Crewe for this year’s pantomime, Sleeping Beauty. Crewe’s pantomime has gone from strength to strength over the years and knowing that we have these two legends of the stage with us once again is fantastic news that the whole team are excited about, especially as Malcolm will be seeing in his 10^th pantomime with us in 2026, so we’ll be celebrating that milestone achievement all season! We look forward to welcoming one & all for Cheshire’s favourite family pantomime.”

Produced by the award -winning Imagine Theatre Sleeping Beauty will be packed with everything you love about the Lyceum pantomime: a side-splitting comic, an outrageous dame, a delightfully devious baddie, spectacular musical numbers and plenty of slapstick fun for all ages.

Sleeping Beauty plays from 11 December 2026 to 03 January 2027 to find out more and book tickets visit crewelyceum.co.uk