Top 10 Christmas pantos

It's panto time - oh yes it is - and we've found the best 10 performances in and around London. From Julian Clary and Russ Abbot to the Hamiltons (yes, really).

Panto: Dick Whittington

Look behind you for: Russ Abbot

Oh yes it’s at: Wimbledon Theatre, The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19

Gold beans: Tickets from £10

Dames’ Dates: From Friday 12th December — 19th January

Carriages/pumpkins to arrive at: 2pm and 7.15pm

Treasure box office: 020 8540 0362

A panto with a bit of ‘atmosphere’ (remember Abbot’s 80s hit?). The crazy Scotsman plays Jack Idle with a supporting cast of Bobby Bennett and Russ Kane.

Panto: Peter Pan

Look behind you for: Bonnie Langford, Robert Powell and Mike McClean

Oh yes it’s at: Richmond Theatre, The Green, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1QJ

Gold beans: Tickets from £10.50

Dames’ Dates: From 12th December — 19th January

Carriages/pumpkins to arrive at: 1.30pm or 2.00pm and 5.00pm or 7.30pm

Treasure box office: 020 8940 0088

There’s no keeping Bonnie Langford down — she’s still as sprightly as a ginger puppy dog. Wicked Captain Hook played by Robert Powell — boooh.

Panto: Dick Whittington

Look behind you for: Hale and Pace

Oh yes it’s at: Churchill Theatre, High Street, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1HA

Gold beans: From £13

Dames’ Dates: 12th December — 19th January

Carriages/pumpkins to arrive at: 1.30pm or 2.00pm and 5.00pm or 7.30pm

Treasure box office: 020 8460 6677

As luck would have it Hale and Pace decided against becoming teachers and instead chose comedy… Is Bromley high street ready for the big time? Oh yes it is!

Panto: Snow White

Look behind you for: Jim Davidson, Anita Dobson,

Oh yes it’s at: Fairfield, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 1DG

Gold beans: From £9.50

Dames’ Dates: 12th December — 12th January

Carriages/pumpkins to arrive at: 1.30pm or 2.00pm and 5.00pm or 7.30pm

Treasure box office: 020 8688 9291

What would Den make of his Ange appearing on stage in Snow White? Don’t be scared kids — she’s not Snow White — she’s the Wicked Queen!

Panto: Peter Pan

Look behind you for: Richard Wilson (Captain Hook) and Susannah York (Narrator)

Oh yes it’s at: Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road, London SE1

Gold beans: From £12.50

Dames’ Dates: 19th December — 12th January

Carriages/pumpkins to arrive at: 2.30pm and 5.00pm or 7.00pm or 7.30pm

Treasure box office: 020 7960 4242

We don’t believe it! Richard Wilson appears in the RFH production of Peter Pan as Wendy. No, only kidding he's Captain Hook, silly.

Panto: Jack and the Beanstalk

Look behind you for: Rula Lenska, Andy Collins, Michael Cochrane, Royce Mills, Daniella Gibbs, Neil and Christine Hamilton

Oh yes it’s at: Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Millbrook, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 3UX

Gold beans: from £13

Dames’ Dates: 13th December — 5th January

Carriages/pumpkins to arrive at: 2.00pm or 2.30pm and 5.00pm, 5.30pm, 7.00pm and 8pm

Treasure box office: 01483 44 00 00.

A menagerie of B-listers at Guildford’s Jack and the Beanstalk — topped by the appearance of Christine and Neil Hamilton. Help, I’m a kid, get me out of here…

Panto: Peter Pan

Look behind you for: Richard Heap

Oh yes it’s at: Millfield Theatre, Silver Street Edmonton London N18 1PJ

Gold beans: from £6.50

Dames’ Dates: 4th December — 12th January

Carriages/pumpkins to arrive at: 1.30pm or 2.00pm or 4.00pm and 5.00pm, 6.00pm, 6.30pm and 7.30pm

Treasure box office: 020 8807 6608

Who? Exactly, but we’re sure it’ll be a good show!

Panto: Snow White

Look behind you for: Andrew Lynford, Jacey Salles, Peter John, Rosie Jenkins

Oh yes it’s at: Watersmeet Theatre, High Street, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, WD3 1HJ

Gold beans: from £6.50

Dames’ Dates: 12 December - 5th January

Carriages/pumpkins to arrive at: 2.30pm and 7.00pm

Treasure box office: 01923 771542

The heady heights of Herfordshire is the setting for Rickmansworth’s Snow White.

Panto: Cinderella

Look behind you for: Julian Clary and Alex Lovell (Disney Channel) and Stefan Booth (Hollyoaks)

Oh yes it’s at: New Victoria Theatre, The Ambassadors, Peacocks Centre, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6GQ,

Gold beans: from £7.50

Dames’ Dates: 12 December — 26 January

Carriages/pumpkins to arrive at: 1.30pm or 2.30pm and 5.30pm or 7.30pm

Treasure box office: 01483 545900

The panto season’s most glamorous casting - Julian Clary. Sadly he’s playing Buttons - wouldn’t he have been perfect for Cinders?

Panto: Cinderella

Look behind you for: Bradley Walsh and Stephen Hunt (neighbours)
Lynette McMorrough (Crossroads) plus two Shetland Ponies!

Oh yes it’s at: Gordon Craig Theatre, Lytton Way, Stevenage SG1 1LZ

Gold beans: From £8

Dames’ Dates: 30 November - 2 February

Carriages/pumpkins to arrive at: 1.30pm or 2.30pm or 5.30pm or 6.30pm or 7.30pm

Treasure box office: 08700 131030

Everybody needs good neighbours when it comes to Panto season. This years curtain goes up for ‘Matt’ from Ramsey Street and two Shetland ponies. Hooray!