Peter Pan,

Malvern Theatres, Malvern. 01684 892277. www.malvern-theatres.co.uk

FLY off to Neverland with Malvern Theatres and see that dreams really do come true. J M Barrie's world-famous story makes a fabulous family pantomime which is played out in the shadow of the hills between December 16 and January 8.

Ron Moody - immortalised as Fagin in the film musical Oliver! and more recently seen in EastEnders, is super-villain Captain Hook, so be prepared for plenty of booing and hissing opportunities.

Kasia Haddad - Josie Jump from Balamory - is Tiger Lily while Gemma Lowy-Hamilton takes on the title role of the boy who never grows up.

Plenty of special effects are promised, including some breathtaking flying, along with colourful costumes, fantastic sets and some beautiful songs.

And of course, there'll be plenty of opportunity for audience participation.

Ticket prices start at £8.50. For full details call the box office or go online.

Above left: Ron Moody is Captain Hook and Kasia Haddad (right) Tiger Llly

Great Expectations,

RSC Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford. Ticket Hotline 0870 609 1110. www.rsc.org.uk.

A terrifying encounter with an escaped convict forever changes the life of the orphaned Pip.

Turning his back on humble beginnings as a blacksmith's apprentice, he strives to better himself and become a gentleman, unaware of the hidden dangers that await him.

Nick Ormerod and Declan Donnellan's new adaptation for the RSC lays bare a tissue of lies and guilt in Dickens's least sentimental love story.

Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod are co-founders of the internationally-acclaimed Cheek by Jowl.

Their productions for the RSC include The School for Scandal and the RSC Academy production of King Lear. Great Expectations opened at the beginning of November and runs until February 4.

Photo Tim Hetherington.

Wizard of Oz, Wales Millennium Centre,

08700 402000 www.wmc.org.uk

Follow the Yellow Brick Road down to Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff because, because, because, because the wonderful Wizard of Oz will be there between December 13 and 31. Based on the classic musical starring Judy Garland, this sumptuous stage production brings to life the timeless characters and songs.

Every evening and most afternoons Dorothy and Toto will be journeying over the rainbow on their quest to find the Emerald City and the Wizard of Oz, joined along the way by a colourful cast of wizards, munchkins and witches - including Coronation Street's Beverley Unwin, actress Susie Blake as the Wicked Witch of the East.

The two first special preview performances on December 13 and 14 are £10 for adults and £5 for children, with tickets for all other performances between £10 and £22 with family and group discounts.

Peter Pan, Birmingham Hippodrome

0870 730 1234 www.birminghamhippodrome.com

Joe Pasquale - the hero of last year's Jack and the Beanstalk - returns for another year of panto fun for all the family to star in the swashbuckling magical adventure of Peter Pan.

Joe is joined by some of the funniest family entertainers including Rod Hull's son Toby with Emu, Charlie Caroli (who played King Crumble in Jack & the Beanstalk), and TV star Mina Anwar as the Magical Mermaid.

Kerris Peeling takes on the role of Peter Pan and the show runs from December 21-January 29

WMC

Christmas Presence 2005, is destined to be a special occasion for all the family.

Due to take place on December 3, at 7.30pm, in the Wales Millennium Centre, it'll be a concert full of seasonal and traditional music that captures the spirit of Christmas with the outstanding, Sir James Galway and guests.

Famous for his liquid golden tone, impeccable tuning - and diamond-studded gold flute, Sir James (pictured with his wife Jeanne) is the world's foremost ambassador of his instrument.

Winner of the Outstanding Contribution Award for his lifelong dedication to music at this year's Brit Awards, Sir James will bring to Christmas Presence a magnificent programme of music.

Bryn at Christmas Bryn Terfel appears for two nights only at the Wales Millennium Centre, on December 10 and 11, in this special Christmas concert with special guests including: Serendipity, Sinfonia Cymru, conductor Gareth Jones at 7.30pm

Birmingham Royal Ballet, Birmingham Hippodrome, 0870 730 2044 www.brb.org.uk

Beauty and the Beast. Searching the country to salvage his lost fortunes, a once-wealthy merchant seeks shelter in a mysterious castle, where invisible forces tend to his every need.

The merchant's older daughters have demanded gold, jewels and fine clothes; the youngest, Belle, has asked for a single rose.

But when the merchant plucks just one bloom from the garden of the castle he unleashes a fearsome Beast, who exacts a terrible forfeit: in return for the merchant's life, he must send his Belle to live in the castle.

As Belle journeys to meet her captor, she must prepare to discover for herself the meaning of true love.

This classic fairytale of passion and prejudice is choreographed by BRB's director, David Bintley, who weaves some new twists into this timeless fable. Beauty and the Beast is the classic Christmas treat, and the stage is set for an unforgettable evening of festive family entertainment.

There are performances on December 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15.

On her christening day, princess Aurora is cursed by the wicked fairy Carabosse: one day she will prick her finger on a spindle and die. But the kind Lilac Fairy tempers the curse so the princess will, instead, fall asleep for 100 years.

Some years later, Carabosse returns to the palace with a spindle concealed in a bouquet, and the curse begins.

As Aurora collapses into her slumber, vines overgrow the palace and the kingdom becomes frozen in time.

Year after year after year the palace sleeps. But Carabosse hasn't foreseen a handsome prince hunting in the forest 100 years later - or how, in the right hands, a curse can sometimes become a charm.

With a classic score by Tchaikovsky and original choreography by Marius Petipa, The Sleeping Beauty is considered one of the greatest ballets from Imperial Russia.

This production is by BRB's former director Sir Peter Wright and runs in the new year, with performances on February 28, March 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Cinderella, The Courtyard, Hereford

08700 1122330 www.wmc.org.uk

MAGIC and sparkle are the main items on the Courtyard's Christmas list when it presents the timeless classic of the mystery beauty who went to the ball, lost her shoe but found her handsome prince.

Written especially for the venue by Lyndsay Maples - the story follows the traditional route but adds a few twists to bring it bang up to the 21st century.

Directing will be Nicholas Collett - Widow Twankey in last year's Aladdin who will again, be on stage as one of the Ugly Sisters.

James Dinsmore, also in last year's production, plays his facially-challenged sibling.

In the title role is Sophie Ladd, a recent graduate of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School while Paul Russell becomes her Prince Charming and Paul Harper-Swan plays Cinderella's confidant and friend Buttons.

Cinderella runs from December 2 until January 7.

Tickets are available from £5.

Jack and the Beanstalk, Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham, 01242 572573 www.everymantheatre.org.uk

It's Christmas time so climb aboard

Our fabulous pantomime

There's schemes and dreams and magic beans

And rescues - just in time!

Meet Jack and Daisy, sweet and lazy, And Dame Trot who wants to spend! A magic fairy and Berkeley,

Jack's sheepdog and faithful friend. A giant as massive as an oak, a beanstalk - lost in clouds!Music, dancing, joining in

Our panto does you proud!

Oh yes it is! Oh no its not!

Behind you! Turn and look! Be quick! Ring us and book!

The show runs from

December 2 until January 14.

Also showing

GO off to see the wizard again - this time all the way to Birmingham for theres no production like The Reps production of The Wizard Of Oz.

Join Dorothy and Toto as they flee from the clutches of the evil Miss Gultch and escape to the magical world of Munchkinland, only to realise that there is no place like home.

In search of the one person who can take them back to Kansas, the wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy finds lots of exciting new adventures and meets many new friends along the way.

Take the whole family to Oz and book a family ticket, or bring a group to an Off To Oz night, where you can come dressed as your favourite character and sing along to the tunes that made this fairy tale one of the greatest hits of all time.

It runs from November 30 until January 21. 0121 236 4455. www.birmingham-rep.co.uk

Worcester looks all set for a giant of a panto when Hollywood actress, ex-Bond Girl and West End actress Britt Ekland joins the cast of Jack & The Beanstalk at The Swan Theatre.

Director Paul Tate has written a story, with a witty script, and a mixture of high-energy song and dance routines sourced from musicals and modern pop songs along with plenty of Fe Fi Fo Puns for children and adults alike! Jack & The Beanstalk starts on Wednesday, December 7, and runs until Wednesday, December 28. For tickets ring 01905 611427. www.huntingdonhall.com.