Watford Colosseum

Standing out from the crowd, the Colosseum will have a Christmas show instead of a pantomime. In Santa Claus and the Night Before Christmas it is Christmas Eve and whilst most children are hanging up their stockings, there are a few boys and girls in Watford who are not. They don’t believe in Santa and with Christmas morning fast approaching cheeky elves Charlie and Kara must help Santa prove that he is indeed real.

Watford Colosseum, Rickmansworth Road, Watford, WD17 3JN, Thursday, December 1 until Saturday, December 24. Details: 01923 571 102

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Watford Palace

Returning to Watford Palace this Christmas is Terence Frisch, famed for his film roles in 2011’s Hugo and 2009’s Small Island. This year’s production is Beauty and the Beast, from the British theatre director Eleanor Rhode.

Watford Palace Theatre, 20 Clarendon Road, Watford, WD17 1JZ, Friday, December 2 until Saturday, December 31. Details: 01923 235455

The Elgiva Theatre

Beauty and the Beast is coming with panto aficionado Anthony Fagan. Joining him as the Beast is Colin Zammit and playing the story’s Beauty is Tamara Saffir, a London-based actor, singer and dancer.

The Elgiva Theatre, St Mary’s Way, Chesham, HP5 1HR, Friday, December 2 until Saturday, December 31. Details: 01494 582900

Alban Arena

EastEnders star Rita Simons comes to St Albans to star in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. She is joined by Bob Golding, best known for his work on the Tweenies, and Ian Kirby who starred as DC Harry Batt in TV’s Dick and Dom.

Once again, the show will be written and directed by Paul Hendy and produced by Evolution, the same team that brought you last year’s Box Office smash-hit, Peter Pan. 

The Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Albans, AL1 3LD, Thursday, December 8 until Sunday, January 8. Details: 01727 844488

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Grove Theatre

After a record breaking panto season with Cinderella, Those Magic Beans return to Dunstable for a fourth panto season with the spectacular family pantomime, Aladdin.

CBBC star Ed Petrie will play Wishee Washee, Corrie’s villain of the decade, Brian Capron, will play Abanazar, and Kieran and Sarah from Britain’s Got Talent also join the cast.

Grove Park, Court Drive, Dunstable, LU5 4GP, Thursday, December 8 until Monday, January 2. Details: 01582 602080

Watersmeet

Steps singer Lee Latchford-Evans will be the Christmas star at Watersmeet this year, playing Jack in, you guessed it, Jack and the Beanstalk. He will be joined by comedy star and one of the stand-out contestants from this year’s Britain’s Got Talent, Darren Altman.  Darren is known to millions as the man of a thousand voices, so will surely bring something unique to the production.

Comedy capers are guaranteed this as they climb a beanstalk, slay a giant, meet a golden egg laying hen, listen to music played by a magic harp, learn to a milk a cow, fall in love and live happily ever after.

Watersmeet, High Street, Rickmansworth, WD3 1EH, Thursday, December 8 until Saturday, December 31. Details: 01923 711063

Milton Keynes Theatre

In the tale of Dick Whittington this year, Samantha Womack, EastEnders’ feisty Ronnie Mitchell, will be swarming the streets of London with her rodent friends as the evil Queen Rat, whilst Loose Women panellist, X Factor finalist and winner of ITV’s I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! Stacey Solomon will be picking up her magic wand this Christmas as Fairy Bowbells, whilst back to tickle your funny bones is MK favourite Kev Orkian.

The theatre is offering relaced performances, for those who would benefit from a more relaxed setting when attending the theatre, including people on the autism spectrum, people who make involuntary noises, people with learning disabilities, or just anyone who prefers a less formal environment when coming to see a show. 

Milton Keynes Theatre, 500 Marlborough Gate, Central Find o, Buckinghamshire, MK9 3NZ, Thursday, December 8 until Sunday, January 15. Details: 0844 871 7652

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Trestle Arts Base

Skewbald Theatre magically bring to life Michael Morpurgo’s beautifully atmospheric tale of Mimi and the Mountain Dragon. This year Skewbald Theatre are collaborating with the exciting writing duo Wigmore and Green to create original songs and a lively musical score inspired by Swiss folk music and traditions.

Trestle Arts Base, Russet Dr, St Albans, AL4 0JQ, Friday, December 9, and Saturday, December 10. Details: 01727 850950

Beck Theatre

Birds of a Feather star Pauline Quirk is coming to star in Cinderella as the Fairy Godmother, alongside fellow Birds of a Feather star, her son Charlie Quirkein the role of Dandini.
A stalwart of television, film and stage for over 45 years Pauline is best known for her role as Sharon Theodopolopodous, a role she has played to hilarious effect for over 27 years on screen and on-stage.

Packed with all of the traditional pantomime ingredients we know you expect, Cinderella will feature laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and plenty of boos and hisses.

Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes, UB3 2UE, Friday, December 9 until Saturday, December 31. Details: 020 8561 8371

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The Radlett Centre

Upstage Productions return with the  traditional adventure pantomime of Jack and the Beanstalk, including dazzling costumes and scenery, fabulous live music, lots of laughs and a host of colourful characters - not forgetting Daisy the Cow. This Pantomime has everything - magic beans, a giant, a brave hero, a beautiful princess and loads of audience participation.

The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, WD7 8HL, Saturday, December 10, 2016 until Tuesday, January 3, 2017. Details: 01923 859291

Harpenden Public Halls

Playing the title role of Cinderella is local X Factor star Honey Fine. Honey was part of close harmony group Mom Amie who wowed the judges on last year’s X Factor. Simon Cowell was particularly impressed, and the group got through to the 6 chair challenge.

Starring alongside her will be Snoopy the Shetland pony who has the very important job of getting Cinders to the ball.

Spreading her magic over proceedings as Fairy Godmother will be TVs woman of 1,000 voices Jess Robinson.

Harpenden Public Halls, Southdown Road, Harpenden, AL5 1PD, Saturday, December 10 until Thursday, December 22. Details: 01582 767525

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Harrow Arts Centre

Santa's Little Helper comes to life with an irresistible blend of music, puppetry and high energy storytelling. With lots of laughs, sing-along songs and plenty of opportunities to join in along the way, this is the perfect treat for Christmas. 

Harrow Arts Centre, 171 Uxbridge Road, Hatch End, HA5 4EA, Thursday, December 22 until Saturday, December 24. Details: 020 3773 7161

Wyllyotts Theatre

Full of show-stopping songs, dazzling dance routines, knockabout comedy and bags of audience participation will make up this production of Dick Whittington. It is the true story in which he supposedly escapes his poverty-stricken childhood and made his fortune thanks to the ratting abilities of his cat. 

Wyllyotts Place, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, EN6 2HN, Wednesday, December 14, 2016 until Wednesday, January 4, 2017. Details: 01707 645005

Court theatre

Dick Whittington and His Cat is unashamedly lacking in celebrity names, instead featuring an abundance of local talent with over 40 years' experience producing traditional family pantomimes. Boo and hiss the nasty King Rat as he tries to spoil Dick's plans to find true love and cheer on our heroes to ensure that good triumphs over evil.

The Court Theatre, Station Road, Tring, Hertfordshire HP23 5QY, Tuesday, December 27 until Saturday, December 31. Details: info@courttheatre.co.uk