Oh, yes; it’s that time again… when men, women and giants fight over who gets to wear the tights with the fewest holes in, and risqué one-liners are assessed by how naughty they can be before the kids cotton on. It’s time for all the family to come together to boo, hiss and yell time-honoured phrases… it’s panto time!

November 20th - January 6th
TREASURE ISLAND
Expect a feast of rip-roaring thrills, swaggering pirates, foot-tapping mayhem and sea shanties galore in this perfect festive treat for all the family. 
Barn Theatre, Cirencester, tel: 01285 648255, barntheatre.org.uk

November 24th - January 7th
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Join Jack and his friends on an adventure of a lifetime, as they scale the beanstalk to you-know-who’s castle. Will Mum ever forgive him for selling the family cow for a handful of old beans? Will he get the better of the Giant, and will you choose to boo or hiss at him (someone’s got to love him, surely?).
This show is full of infectious laughter, singing, dancing, brilliant storytelling, and oodles of cheering and booing, for everyone aged five to 105.
Oxford Playhouse, Beaumont Street, OX1 2LW, tel: 01865 305305, oxfordplayhouse

November 24th - January 7th
MOTHER GOOSE
Take a gander at Tweedy playing Mother Goose… you know you won’t regret it.
This fun-filled family adventure sees our favourite clown performing for the first time as a dame! What we want to know is, will he lay an egg or will his performance be worth its weight in gold?
With 54 shows to choose from, including audio-described and relaxed performances, get ready to fluff up your feathers to see Tweedy and friends in an all-singing, all-dancing, traditional family treat at The Everyman Theatre. Tickets are available from just £10 per person, so no golden eggs required to come along and join in the fun.
Everyman Theatre, Regent St, Cheltenham GL50 1HQ, tel: 01242 572573,
everymantheatre.org.uk

​November 29th - December 2nd
BIG DICK WHITTINGTON (adults only)
Ooh, I say; this is a bit of a carry on.
Wrandy Theatre Group’s (yes, really) adults-only production by Tom Whalley, directed by Gillian Wright and Andy Taylor, is saucier than a family-sized bottle of HP.
Can Fairy and her big bells guide Dick in the right direction? Will King Rat gnaw his way onto the Dame’s beloved boat, and will the Sultan be able to successfully defend his Brown Ring from unwanted offenders?
If any of the above is making you chuckle, then this is the panto for you… if not, it’s probably best to avoid. Tickets £15.
The Kings Theatre, Gloucester, GL1 1QX, tel: 0333 666 3366, kingstheatregloucester.co.uk

December 2nd - January 6th
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
The Roses’ 2023 pantomime is a perfectly beastly affair, scripted by critically-acclaimed TV, stage and radio writer Miranda Walker. Tickets £18-£28.
2024, Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX, rosestheatre.org

December 4th - January 7th
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
A panto of gigantic proportions, brought to you by the brilliant Worcester Repertory Company.
It’s a story of bravery and beans, giants and gold, friendship and fantasy, so this is the pantomime you’ve, er, bean waiting for. And if you’re hoping for lashings of all your favourite traditional panto moments, you won’t be disappointed, so prepare to boo, hiss, cheer, laugh and sing to your heart’s content. With over 17,500 theatregoers attending the Swan Theatre’s panto each festive season, though, don’t hang around to book or there will be tears. Tickets £10-£22.
Swan Theatre, The Moors, Worcester, WR1 3LE, tel: 01905 611427, worcestertheatres.co.uk

December 8th - 29th
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (adults only)
Oh, hello… here we go again for another bout of pantomime for after the kids have gone to bed.
Expect a raucous and risqué night of pantomime shenanigans with this hilarious version of The Roses’ pantomime, written by Miranda Walker just for grown-ups! Tickets £24; 18+ only.
Roses Theatre, Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX, rosestheatre.org

December 15th - 31st
ALADDIN
Billed as The Cheltenham Playhouse’s ‘biggest performance EVER’, this is going to be a magic carpet ride you won’t want to miss.
Experience a whole new world with a magical pantomime filled with ‘genie-us’ comedy, dazzling costumes and Christmas spirit. If you want your wishes granted, allow the cast to whisk you away on a journey you won't forget, with plenty of boos and hisses along the way. Come join Aladdin, his sister Wishee and his mother, Widow Twankey, on a high-flying adventure that’s sure to put a smile on your face. Tickets £16-£25.
Cheltenham Playhouse, Bath Road, GL53 7HG, tel: 01242 522852, cheltplayhouse.org.uk

December 16, 2pm
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Times are hard for the Trott family; they have no money which means they can’t afford to pay the rent. The only thing they have of any value is… I’m sure you’re ahead of us… yes, their beloved cow.
But when Jack is sent to market to do the terrible deed, he comes home with nothing but a handful of mouldy old beans – which is when the magic really begins. Join Jack on his plus-sized adventure, brought to you by Wonder Pantomimes, as he climbs the beanstalk to an enchanted land of excitement and adventure, where he must rescue his friends and family from the ‘Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum’ of one very hungry giant! Tickets from £9, plus booking fee.
Tetbury Goods Shed Arts Centre, GL8 8EY, shed-arts.co.uk

December 20th - January 6th
SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS
Produced by the same team that brought you last year’s record-breaking production of Cinderella, this is a fantastic festive treat for the whole family.
As a family favourite, you don’t need us to tell you it’s the story of the fairest maiden in the land, who upsets the wicked Queen and, pursued by a fairytale prince, escapes into the forest and befriends a houseful of unforgettable little characters. Will Snow White ever find her happy ever after… what do you think? Tickets £16-£24.
The Subscription Rooms, Stroud, GL5 1AE, tel: 01453 796880, thesubrooms.co.uk

December 22nd - January 7th
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK
Tread the Boards Theatre Company return to Campden’s Cidermill Theatre with a giant of a pantomime, featuring fantastic songs, dance routines, comedy and audience participation. You can be sure of good clean fun for all the family. Tickets from £12.
Cidermill Theatre, Chipping Campden School, GL55 6HU, cidermilltheatre.com

January 18th - 21st
ALADDIN
Come and join Aladdin on his adventures as he battles the Evil Abanazer to find fame and fortune.
Now in its 34th year, Phoenix Theatre Group brings all the song, dance and comedy you’ve come to expect from Evesham’s biggest amateur dramatics group, in what is now a tradition for so many families.
With a cast of up to 50, expect a dazzling, colourful show you’ll remember for years to come. Tickets £15.
The Henrician, Victoria Avenue, Evesham WR11 4QH, tel: 01386 765588, henrician.org