Want to take your family to the panto? Here's what's on and where....

Sleeping Beauty – Pavilion Theatre, Bournemouth

IN Sleeping Beauty at the Pavilion Theatre, the children will be delighted to see television star Chris Jarvis alongside Su Pollard, Colin Baker and others dressed in sparkly frocks and outfits.

Returning to once again write, direct and star is venue favourite and Bournemouth resident Chris Jarvis as Happy Harry, whose local gags, rapport with the audience and range of impressions always go down a storm with adults and children alike.

Former Hi-de-Hi actress Su Pollard stars as Carabosse, one of the best panto villains Bournemouth has seen in recent years. Time traveller and recent I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here contestant Colin Baker will also be treading the boards in Sleeping Beauty. Best-known as the sixth incarnation of Doctor Who, Baker is set to star as Nelly.

Returning from the cast of last year’s Jack and the Beanstalk is Wave 105 presenter Kate Weston as Good Fairy.

The all-star cast also features Asa Elliott from ITV’s Benidorm as the Prince.

Running until January 6, 2013, with a top cast and a great traditional story, Sleeping Beauty is sure to be another Panto hit at the Bournemouth Pavilion.

Our reviewer said: “With great new music, mixed with a traditional tale and enough local gags to shake a wand at, this panto will leave you feeling in the mood for Christmas – and nursing aching sides.”

Aladdin – Lighthouse Poole

OWZAT, pantomime Aladdin has already attracted sporting hero Freddie Flintoff with a visit to Poole’s Lighthouse to enjoy the show with his family and friends.

The former England cricketer watched the Christmas production of Aladdin last week.

This is the venue’s third home produced panto following the huge success of Peter Pan and Cinderella. Aladdin stars actor, singer and dancer Ray Quinn in the title role.

An X Factor finalist in 2006 and winner of ITV’s Dancing on Ice in 2009, Ray has a very special connection with the local area, having recently married Bournemouth-born West End star Emma Stephens in a private ceremony on a Caribbean beach.

Liverpool-born Ray will be appearing alongside Don Maclean from the 1970s television show Crackerjack, playing Widow Twanky.

Don, who has been awarded an MBE and received a Papal Knighthood from the Pope himself, will be making his 40th appearance in pantomime this year as Widow Twanky and has even been given the accolade of being named as one of the Top Ten Dames in the country by prestigious theatre publication, The Stage.

In addition to Ray and Don will be American actor Tim Flavin, who will be playing the evil Abanazar.

Tim, who has won numerous awards for his work in hit musicals on Broadway and in the West End, was also the first American to receive the Laurence Olivier Award in 1984 for his performance in the musical On Your Toes.

While Ray Quinn is currently rubbing magic lamps and making friends with genies, he will also be returning to the town he now calls home with a new show in 2013, when he appears in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice in April at the Lighthouse.

Aladdin will run at Lighthouse, Poole until Sunday, January 6, 2013.

Our reviewer said: “It was a magic night of laughter and wonder as cast and crew got into full swing for panto season.

“There were genuinely hilarious scenes where the crowd were screaming with laughter and the music and special effects made for a fantastic show.”

Cinderella – Regent Centre, Christchurch

A LATE contender on the pantomime circuit, the award winning Highcliffe Charity Players return with their pantomime Cinderella at the end of January next year.

With everyone’s favourite rags to riches fairy tale, it boasts sparkling costumes, stunning sets, plenty of sing-along songs, dazzling dance routines, audience participation and lots of slapstick and knockabout humour.

The show’s director is Tracey Barrington, herself an acclaimed Cinderella, who is now celebrating 30 years with the players.

She said: “It’s proving huge fun working with such an enthusiastic and talented cast which features both HCP regulars and some bright young talent too. We’re all having a ball with this lovely new script – and with the happy mix of old and new musical numbers, we hope there will be something for everyone.”

Cinderella runs from January 19-26. Will Cinderella escape the pantry for the party and win Prince Charming’s heart?

There’s only one way to find out – book now for Charity Players’ Cinderella. It’s going to be a ball.

Cinderella - Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne

SAVE all your kisses for Cinderella, as Brotherhood Of Man singer Nicky Stevens appears as Baroness Hardup. Cinderella opens tonight at 7pm and runs until January 5.

After the success of Sleeping Beauty last year, Ron Martin and Born 2 perform will be bringing the well known story to the Tivoli stage.

Jack And The Beanstalk – The Mayflower, Southampton

OPENING tonight, Jack And The Beanstalk will see one of the country’s most recognisable entertainers, Julian Clary, leading the cast in the role of Spirit of the Beans. He will be joined by one of British theatre’s biggest stars, the smooth-talking TV heart-throb, Nigel Havers as Fleshcreep.

Another West End star, Lee Mead makes his pantomime debut in the title role of Jack. Comedian and ventriloquist Paul Zerdin guests stars as Simple Simon with his cheeky companion Sam.

Jack and the Beanstalk is produced by Qdos Entertainment, the world’s largest pantomime producer and features a larger-than-life beanstalk and one very mean giant at the top of it.

The traditional elements of a family pantomime combine with state-of-the-art visual effects, including a 3D forest.

Jack And The Beanstalk runs until January 19.