From Cinderella to Snow White, with an air-dash to Peking on Aladdin's magic carpet thrown in, this winter’s pantomime season promises to be as action-packed, and bonkers, as ever.

WYVERN THEATRE, SWINDON, CINDERELLA

BECAUSE we all relish a good rags to riches story, the Wyvern has revived Cinderella, the ultimate victory over adversity tale complete with singing mice this Christmas.

Cinderella dreams of escaping the life she has fallen into. With the arrival of an invitation to Prince Charming’s Grand Ball, it seems she may get her wish. However the Ugly Sisters are determined to keep her as their servant. But with a generous helping of panto magic perhaps her dreams will come true after all.

Former Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas makes his pantomime debut in the role of Prince Charming.

Salford-born Ryan burst onto our television screens in 2000 in the role of Jason Grimshaw in the iconic ITV soap - a role he went on to play for more than 16 years.

Swindon's favourite Dame and all-around prankster David Ashley makes an anticipated return as one of the Ugly Sisters, 30 years exactly since he appeared in his very first panto, Jack and The Beanstalk, at the Wyvern.

Expect surprises, mayhem, belly roars, and if Cinders has her way, a well-deserved happy ever after.

Cinderella runs at the Wyvern until January 8. To book tickets visit swindontheatres.co.uk or call 01793 524 481.

BRISTOL HIPPODROME, CINDERELLA

IT will be the battle of the Cinders as The Hippodrome rivals the Wyvern to take on the classic fairy-tale.

And the venue has bagged national icons to lead the cast with Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean set to play the Fairy Godparents.

The sporting heroes shot to international fame at the Sarajevo 1984 Winter Olympics where they scooped a gold medal and became the highest scoring figure skaters of all time. Torvill and Dean continued to team up for 14 years, winning numerous professional and amateur competitions. Following their retirement in 1998 the pair embarked on a number of other projects including choreographing for English National Ballet, touring with Stars on Ice and coaching and performing on ITV's Dancing on Ice.

Prepare for a larger-than-life pantomime with oodles of pizazz, spangly costumes, big song and dance numbers, bags of audience participation, real Shetland ponies and jaw-dropping skating sequences.

Cinderella runs at the Hippodrome until January 7. To book go to www.atgtickets.com/bristol or call 0844 871 3012.

THE HEXAGON, READING, SNOW WHITE

WITH CBeebies' Justin Fletcher and The UK's Best Dame 2015 (as voted by fans) Paul Morse leading the cast of Snow White, the Hexagon does not mess about.

The pair are joined by The Voice contestant Karl Loxley and Sarah Accomando, who reprise their roles as Prince Michael and our swooning heroine after a successful run in Leicester last year.

When the Magic Mirror declares Snow White to be the fairest in all the land, the Prince requests her hand in marriage. Sent into a jealous rage, the Wicked Queen orders her henchman to take Snow White into the forest and ensure she never returns. Will the dastardly deed be carried out? Will our hilarious panto Dame and Justin the Jester uncover the treacherous plot? And what about the seven dwarves living in a cottage in the Enchanted Forest?

Snow White appears at The Hexagon until January 8. Tickets are available at www.readingarts.com or on 0118 960 6060.

NEW THEATRE OXFORD, ROCKY HORROR SHOW

THE New Theatre likes to stray from the traditional pantomime, throwing spectators a curveball every winter in the form of a family play or heart-warming musical. But this year's choice of Rocky Horror Show to kick off the festive season is undoubtedly the team's most daring and off-the-wall to date.

Former Corrie actress Georgia May Foote stars as Columbia, while S Club 7's Paul Cattermole and Liam Tamne, who shot to fame in series two of The Voice, take on the roles of Eddie/Dr Scott and Dr Frank N Furter respectively.

Richard O’Brien’s wacky musical tells the story of Brad and his fiancée Janet, two squeaky clean college kids who meet Dr Frank N Furter by chance when their car breaks down outside his house. It is an adventure they’ll never forget, with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity, bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits.

Audience participation is encouraged, meaning of course getting dressed in your scantiest fancy dress.

Be warned, this show has very rude parts!

Rocky Horror Show runs until December 31. Tickets can be purchased from the New Theatre box office on 0844 871 3020 or at www.atgtickets.com/oxford.

THEATRE ROYAL BATH, ALADDIN

PREPARE to be transported to China's 'exotic' climes with the Theatre Royal Bath's fun-packed Aladdin.

British Soap Award winner Bill Ward heads up the star-studded cast as the wicked magician, Abanazar. No stranger to playing Mr Nasty, he is well-known as the baddie builder, Charlie Stubbs, in Coronation Street and James Barton in Emmerdale.

The title role of Aladdin is played by Mark Rhodes, winner of the 2015 BAFTA Children’s Presenter Award as half of Sam & Mark, whose programmes include CBBC’s Big Friday Wind-Up and family gameshow, Copycats.

Comedian Jon Monie makes an anticipated as Wishee Washee, marking his 15th Christmas show at the Theatre Royal.

One of the most popular Christmas shows of all time, Aladdin was the first pantomime to establish itself on the English stage and boasts a host of colourful characters. The Oriental setting, mystical world of genies, treasure and magic lamps and the escapades of Aladdin and Widow Twankey have kept audiences spellbound for generations.

Aladdin appears at the Theatre Royal Bath until January 8. To book tickets call 01225 448844 or go to www.theatreroyal.org.uk.

SALISBURY PLAYHOUSE, ALADDIN

The Playhouse has also opted for a good old-fashioned crowd-pleaser this year, with an all-singing, all-dancing production of Aladdin.

Richard Ede, whose stage credits include Horrible Histories and The 39 Steps, takes the lead as Widow Twankey while the evil magician Abanazar is played by Lynden Edwards.

Tyler Fayose starts as Aladdin.

Journey with the merry band to China as they embark on a wild adventure with plenty of laughs - and hiccups - along the way.

Aladdin runs at Salisbury Playhouse until Saturday, January 7. For tickets, call 01722 320333 or visit www.salisburyplayhouse.com.