Panto 2025 Cast Announced. Imagine Theatre and the Wyvern Theatre announce that popular professional quizzer and performer, The Chase’s Jenny Ryan, will star in the Wyvern’s popular annual family pantomime Sleeping Beauty.
Joining Jenny, playing Wicked Fairy Carabosse, will be Swindon’s much loved favourite Dame, David Ashley. And award-nominated comedy actor Ben Goffe. He’s hot off the heels of recent nomination for as ‘Best Comic’ in the UK Pantomime Association Awards. That was for his appearance as Buttons in last year’s pantomime Cinderella.
In 2015 Jenny joined the hallowed team of Chasers on ITV’s award-winning teatime hit The Chase. That’s now in its fifteenth series. Nicknamed ‘The Vixen’ and ‘The Bolton Brainiac’ by host Bradley Walsh, you can also see Jenny in the prime time spin-off series Beat the Chasers for ITV1. She’s a regular guest on Fighting Talk on BBC Radio 5 Live and has appeared on many other favourites. They include:
- Would I Lie to You?
- Celebrity MasterChef
- Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway
- Blankety Blank and Celebrity Catchphrase.
Jenny Ryan
A talented singer and musician, Jenny and her fellow Chasers won BBC1’s Let’s Sing & Dance for Comic Relief . With Jenny making to to the final of The X Factor: Celebrity in 2019.
Of her debut on the Swindon stage Jenny says: ‘ I’m thrilled to be at Swindon this Christmas to appear in Sleeping Beauty. I’ve heard how wonderful Wyvern Theatre audiences are. I can’t wait to get started. I know that we’re going to have a lot of panto fun. And I look forward to hearing everyone booing loudly!’
Swindon panto royalty David Ashley’s career has seen him perform across the West End in shows such as Cats, Les Miserables, Blood Brothers and many more. Back for his twelfth year in panto at the Wyvern David says he’s ‘Over the moon’ to return. And adds ‘the audiences in Swindon always feel like my extended family. And I cannot wait to get started with all the brilliant panto fun in Sleeping Beauty alongside Jenny and Ben.’
Ben Goffe has most recently been performing in West End show The Choir of Man. Alongside his may stage appearances in panto and with the National Theatre, the RSC and ENO Ben’s also appeared in TV and film :
- Hapless
- Big Brother’s Big Mouth
- The Friday Night Project
- Artemis Fowl
- AmStarDam and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
Ben tells us: ‘The audiences in Swindon were so welcoming last year. I had such a wonderful time appearing in Cinderella. So I’m thrilled to be returning to the Wyvern to appear in Sleeping Beauty. It’s going to be a lot of fun!’
Imagine Theatre
Imagine Theatre are once again panto producers. They’re bringing this much-loved fairytale to life, packed with all your fave panto ingredients. It promises to be the perfect magical fun-filled family treat full of sparkle and spectacle.
Laura James, the Theatre Director at the Wyvern Theatre said: ‘We’re thrilled to have Jenny joining us this panto season! Jenny is a fantastic performer and perfect for the role of Carabosse. I know our team and all our wonderful Swindon audiences will make her feel welcome. And with the legendary pairing of David Ashley and Ben Goffe to share the stage with, it’s going to be one incredible show!’
When the wicked fairy Carabosse’s evil curse causes the Princess Beauty 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 will run from 06 December 2025 to 04 January 2026. Make memories this festive season with this spellbinding magical family pantomime.
Tickets are on sale now. Book early to enjoy the best value tickets. For the best seats in the house at swindontheatres.co.uk or visit imaginetheatre.co.uk.
