What's On: It's panto season. Oh yes it is. . .

The season of sequin-showered heroines, outlandish dames, dastardly baddies and dad-jokes-a-go-go is with us! Here’s six pantos sure to leave you feeling childishly giddy

Panto: Aladdin

Where: Cambridge Arts Theatre

What’s the story? Traditional family panto at its best, with favourite Matt Crosby playing Widow Twankey. Aladdin is on a quest for riches, good fortune and his one true love, but will the mean-spirited Abanazar crush his dreams and can the Genie in the lamp save the day? Find out when the curtains open (sesame).

When: December 2 – January 9

Tickets: cambridgeartstheatre.com

Panto: Horrible Christmas

Where: IWM Duxford

What’s the story? Join the Horrible Histories team and Birmingham Stage Company on a hair-raising adventure as one boy battles historic villains to save Christmas, with a little help from Charles Dickens, Oliver Cromwell and co. Top your car with tinsel, pack the panettone and park up for a rip-roaring festive romp.

When: Saturday, December 18, 2pm and 5pm showings

Tickets: carparkparty.com

Panto: Sleeping Beauty

Where: The Maltings, Ely

What’s the story? Be spell-bound as KD Theatre Productions unveils a dreamy production of Sleeping Beauty with Ellie Bovingdon in the title role. Boo your heart out as evil Carabosse causes Princess Aurora to prick her finger on a spinning wheel, then delight as Prince Harry bids to wake her from the enchanted slumber.

When: December 10 – 31

Tickets: themaltingsely.org.uk

Panto: Cinderella

Where: Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds

What’s the story? It’s a busy day in Bury as Buttons flogs fruit on Butter Market Square, Prince Charming frets on Hardwick Heath and poor Cinderella’s life is made a misery by Kylie and Miley at Sickworth House. But today, everything is set to change for Cinders (played by Becky Sanneh), thanks to her faithful fairy godmother. Phew!

When: November 26 – January 16

Tickets: theatreroyal.org

Panto: The Snow Queen

Where: Cambridge Junction

What’s the story? A magical show, filled with live music and frosty fun as we follow Gerda on her amazing quest to save best friend Kaj from the Snow Queen in the frozen north. Look out for a broken mirror, the wild woods, some very helpful crows and a bicycling reindeer. Brrr-illiant!

When: December 8 – January 3

Tickets: junction.co.uk

Panto: Rapunzel

Where: ADC Theatre Cambridge

What’s the story? Panto returns with a ‘queer and colourful bang’ in this production by Cambridge University Amateur Dramatic Club and Cambridge Footlights’ which celebrates individuality and self-love. Prince Victor and Princess Stella live in a land where art is banned, and Dames are banished. Setting off to save Rapunzel from her dragon-guarded tower, they encounter adventure, hilarity and friendship along the way.

When: November 24 – December 4

Tickets: adctheatre.com