Here’s our pick of the shows.
1. Sleeping Beauty, Sunderland Empire, December 12 - January 4
“It’s no snoozefest, I’ll tell you that,” says drama queen Miss Rory as the grand dame of the Empire’s pantos gears up for this year’s festive offering. Miss Rory will be stepping into the stilettos of Rorina the Cleaner in Sleeping Beauty, alongside silly sidekick Tom Whalley as Vesta the Jester. Running from Friday, December 12 to Sunday, January 4, the festive show also stars Call the Midwife star Laura Main as Fairy Snowfall, Channel 5 Milkshake! presenter David Ribi as Prince Vincent and West End star Jordan Lee Davies as Carabosse. | Sunderland Echo
2. Aladdin, Theatre Royal Newcastle, November 25 to January 18
Theatre Royal always hosts the longest run of a panto in the region and this year is no different with Aladdin starting on November 25 and running all the way to January 18. Chris Hayward once again dons the Dame’s frocks as Aladdin’s mum, Mother Goose, Joe McElderry returns as The Spirit of the Ring and Mick Potts joins the cast once again, this time as The Genie of the Lamp. Tyneside favourite Wayne Smith returns as Old King Cole, alongside West-End stars Rachel Stanley as The Wicked Witch and Billie-Kay as Princess Jasmine. | Submitted
3. Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Customs House, South Shields, November 23 - January 3
The Customs House, South Shields is hoping to get it just right when it stages Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Join the fabulous Dame Bella, the queen of the big top, and her hapless but lovable sidekick Dennis as they fight to save their beloved circus. It stars Customs House panto stalwart Ray Spencer. | National World
4. Jack & the Beanstalk, Durham Gala, November 20 to December 31
Scale new heights at Durham Gala as it host Jack & the Beanstalk with an early panto start of November 20. | Submitted