Once upon a time…

It’s time to journey to panto land again where all your favourite heroes and villains are doing battle amid songs and slapstick once more

Love them or loathe them, pantos are part of the festive season as much as turkey and tinsel. Take your seats for this year’s shows at theatres and village halls. Altogether now, “He’s behind you…” 

A tale as old as time comes to the Yvonne Arnaud this festive season with Beauty and the Beast packed with spectacular songs, show-stopping dancing and plenty of magic. Book before time runs out at yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/whats-on/beauty-and-the-beast 

Will your wishes come true at Camberley Theatre with the help of Aladdin? Can he save the day as he battles with evil sorcerer Abanazar who will stop at nothing to get his hands on the magic lamp? Join the adventure, with 3D effects, from Dec 4th-31st. Book at camberleytheatre.co.uk/events/aladdin 

Boo and hiss at Birds of a Feather star Lesley Joseph in the fairest panto in the land Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at New Victoria Theatre, Woking. Don’t miss the fun, Dec 5th-Jan 4th. Tickets at atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre 

Take the yellow brick road to the Emerald City with the award-winning Bridges Musical Theatre for The Wizard of Oz. Join Dorothy and Toto, the Tin Man, the Lion & the Scarecrow as they do battle with the Wicked Witch on their way to meet the Great Oz. Chertsey Hall. Dec 16th & 18th-20th. Support local talent and grab your tickets at ticketsource.co.uk/bridges-musical-theatre 

WAOS Musical Theatre are also taking you on a journey to meet The Wizard of Oz complete with Dorothy and friends, Munchkins and a live orchestra at Rhoda McGaw Theatre where you’ll find there’s no place like home. Dec 2nd-6th. Tickets at atgtickets.com/shows/waos-musical-theatre-presents-the-wizard-of-oz/rhoda-mcgaw-theatre-woking/ 

Hi ho, hi ho, it’s off to SHADES we go for Snow White and the Seven Dwarves at The Arbuthnot Hall, Shamley Green, Jan 29th-31st. Join the merry band as they try to thwart the evil queen and restore the kingdom. See shamleygreenshades.co.uk for more. 

Ripley Amateur Theatre Society are bringing the traditional tale of Cinderella, her Ugly Sisters, Prince Charming, the Fairy Godmother, Buttons and more larger than life characters to Ripley Village Hall, Dec 3rd-6th. Visit rats.littleboxoffice.com/browse 

Can heroine Cleo, a street urchin named Niles, Dame Donna Kebab and the village idiot, Archie Ologist stand up to the Evil Pharaoh, Roche, and break the Curse of the Mummy? Find out in Thorpe Players production where ancient Egypt gets the panto treatment in A Panto between the Pyramids. Enjoy this original show at Thorpe Village Hall, Dec 3rd-6th. Please visit thorpeplayers.co.uk to book tickets. 

You shall go to the ball at Godalming Borough Hall with Godalming Panto’s production of Cinderella. Packed with spectacular songs, dance, colourful costumes and fun and laughter from Dec 13th-28th. To book tickets please visit godalmingpanto.com 

Head to Compton Little Theatre in Guildford for their fun-filled tale of magic beans with Jack and the Beanstalk, Jan 15th-17th. More details at comptonlittletheatre.org.uk 

Godalming Theatre Group bring dazzling acrobatics, laugh out loud comedy, larger-than-life performances, hilarious audience participation, and a whole lot of circus magic with Goldilocks and her three furry friends at Prior’s Field Theatre, Dec 17th-21st. Book at gtguk.com 

You’ll have a merry old time with Pirbright Players production of Robin Hood at Lord Pirbright’s Hall. Join the hero and his merry men as they steal from the rich to give to the poor. Jan 24th & 25th. Tickets & more at pirbrightplayers.spanglefish.org 

Join Runnymede Drama Group for a seasonal celebration of songs, comedy, dance and drama with traditional carols, contemporary Christmas songs, classical drama, modern day sketches and some original pieces at The Riverhouse Barn, Walton-upon-Thames, Dec 10th-13th. Visit riverhousebarn.co.uk for tickets. 

Rapunzel is getting ready to let down her hair at Lancaster Hall, Send with Send Amateur Dramatic Society on Nov 28th & 29th and Dec 5th & 6th. Tickets at sads-drama.org 

There’s a giant adventure full of fee-fi-fo fun at Byfleet Village Hall on Jan 8th-10th with Byfleet Players’ Jack and the Beanstalk. To buy tickets see thebyfleetplayers.co.uk 

Brightlight Theatre have swapped panto for whodunnit with Almost Holmes, The Case of the Vanishing Violinist. Cue missing musicians, secret passageways, stolen jewels and perilous chases in this tale with a twist. As with all Brightlight shows, at least 10 per cent of ticket sales go to local cancer charity KatCanDo. Dec 12th & 13th, St Peter’s Church Hall, Frimley. Visit brightlight-theatre.co.uk for tickets. 

Santa’s on his Sleigh at G Live or at least he would be if he hadn’t just found out it had broken down. Can you help fix it? This interactive show features on screen virtual little helper, Head Elf Justy played by CBBC favourite Justin Fletcher. Dec 13th, 14th & 19th-24th. 

A fearsome whale, an abandoned mine and herds of goats all star in The Snowsmith at Farnham Maltings. Inventor Eira is trying to unite the grumpy town of Thawmor and answer the big question: will it snow this Christmas? Find out from Dec 13th-24th. Book at farnhammaltings.com/events/the-snowsmith 

The Quince Players invite you to attend the royal ball from Jan 15th-24th with their twist on panto favourite - Cinderella! Go to the ball, gladrags optional, at Cordes Hall, Sunninghill. Quinceplayers.com for tickets. 

Join the cast of Aladdin at The Anvil, Basingstoke, for a brand-new panto packed full of side-splitting comedy, exotic settings, dazzling special effects, plenty of slapstick and much-loved routines. Book your tickets now for the exciting story of a boy, a lamp, and a genie. Boo the baddies, cheer the goodies, and go on the most magical adventure at The Anvil, Dec 11th-Jan 4th. Book at anvilarts.org.uk 

Get ready for the purrr-fect swashbuckling Christmas adventure with Puss in Boots at Theatre Royal Winchester from Nov 29th-Jan 4th. Life is tough for Colin the poor Miller’s son, no money, no job and no chance of impressing the beautiful princess. It’s just him and his faithful cat, Puss. However, Puss is no ordinary feline and soon turns Colin from zero to hero and adventures begin. Full of paw-some gags, original songs and loads of audience participation, it’s going to be meow-gic! Tickets at theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on/puss-boots 

Medstead Players present their take on the classic Snow White with a script written by two of their members on Dec 5th & 6th at Medstead Village Hall. Tickets at medsteadplayers.co.uk or text 07709 553804. 

Get ready for a beast of a panto with Holybourne Theatre in January & February, selected dates, when they bring Belle to the stage in Beauty and the Beast. Full of all the ever-popular panto ingredients – spectacular songs, dazzling dances, laugh out loud jokes and plenty of audience participation. Dates, details and ticket info at holybournetheatre.co.uk/calendar 

Join Jack as he climbs the beanstalk to the land above the clouds with Winton Players to fight the Giant and save the Princess. Expect silliness and songs, Daisy the cow and more panto puns than you could throw a handful of beans at! Expect udder silliness and moo-sical madness galore! The Festival Hall, Petersfield on Jan 9th-17th. Tickets from wintonplayers.co.uk, thefestivalhall.co.uk or from the hall in person. 

Haslemere Thespians will be hoping to make wishes come true at Haslemere Hall with the magical family pantomime Aladdin, Jan 16th-18th & 23rd-25th. Details &tickets at haslemerethespians.co.uk 

Follow Dick Whittington as he journeys to London to seek his fortune, guided by his trusty cat and the promise that the streets are paved with gold. Join the Phoenix Players for this magical laugh out loud adventure, Jan 15th-17th & 22nd-24th. Book at phoenixarts.co.uk 

If pantos are not your thing then forget about the turkey and the tree for a while and take your seat for Hook Players’ Suite Surrender, Dec 4th-6th. It’s 1942, and two of Hollywood’s biggest divas have descended upon the luxurious Palm Beach Royale Hotel – assistants, luggage, and legendary feud with one another in tow. Everything seems to be in order for their wartime performance … that is, until they are somehow assigned to the same suite. Mistaken identities, overblown egos, double entendres, and a lap dog named Mr Boodles round out this hilarious riot of a love note to the classic farces of the 30s and 40s. Please see hookplayers.co.uk for tickets. 

After all the pantos, you may be in need of an antidote so head to Blackwater and Hawley Memorial Hall for Hart Players new year offering. Long standing rivalries, a celebrity judge, and unusual ingredients come together to deliver a slice of intrigue in The Great British Bump-Off, a comedy murder mystery set in the bake-off tent at the village fete. Feb 6th & 7th and 12th-14th. See hartplayers.co.uk/next-production1 for tickets.