There is something on offer for everyone around the region this year, with big names including Jimmy Osmond, Henry Winkler and Louisa Lytton taking to the stage.

So get ready to boo, hiss and heckle, here are the pantos on stages across the area this Christmas.

Cinderella
Derngate, Northampton
Friday, December 12 to January 11
International pop sensation Jimmy Osmond from family group The Osmonds will be heading the cast making his panto debut playing the loveable Buttons.
The cast also includes comedian Peter Piper as Baron Hardup, Danielle York as Cinderella, Ryan Dawson as Prince Charming, and Brian Godfrey and Darren Southworth as the hilariously hateful Ugly Sisters.The magical rags-to-riches fairytale will be brought to life with fabulous costumes, stunning sets, and real Shetland ponies to pull Cinderella's coach.
Tickets £14 to £22
Call 01604 624811

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The Wizard of Oz
Royal theatre, Northampton
Wednesday until January 11
The cast includes Natalie Burt – recently seen on the Royal stage as Jenny in The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie – as Dorothy, and playing the Scarecrow will be Marc Pickering, who starred alongside Johnny Depp in Sleepy Hollow and was most recently seen on TV screens as finalist R Wayne in Peter Kay's spoof talent show Britain's Got the Pop Factor.
Local amateurs are joining the professional cast to play the townsfolk of Oz and the Winky Guard, while the Munchkins will be played by 66 local children between the ages of six and eleven. The canine actors have also been drawn from the local community, with the part of Dorothy's faithful friend Toto being shared by Parker and Bradley, both selected from dog auditions.
Tickets £8 to £20
Call 01604 624811

Peter Pan
Milton Keynes Theatre
Friday, December 5 to January 18
Henry Winkler, best known for playing the Fonz in Happy Days, is starring as the dastardly Captain Hook in this production. He is joined by EastEnders and The Bill star Louisa Lytton, flying high as the mischievous Peter, and hilarious Andy Ford as Hook's silly sidekick, Smee. There will also be a host of pre-panto foyer performances to showcase the talent of local groups, bands and communities involved in the art of music or singing. Set in the magical destination of Neverland, the show features special effects, flying and dazzling sets.
Tickets £17 to £26
Call 0870 060 6652

Puss in Boots
Parsons Hall, Irchester.
Wednesday, February 11 to Saturday, February 14
Irchester Players present a traditional pantomime with script by John Morley. Evening performances are at 7.30pm and there is a 2.30pm matinee on the Saturday.
Tickets for the Wednesday performance cost £4, Thursday to Saturday matinee tickets cost £6 (concessions £4) and all tickets for Saturday evening are £6.
Call 01933 624310

Puss in Boots
The Pemberton Centre, HE Bates Way, Rushden
Saturday, January 10 to Saturday, January 17
Rushden Amateur Theatrical Society presents the classic panto, with a cast including Kim Bates as Puss, Holly Taylor as Fairy Feline, Nicola Smithers as Princess Melissa and David Mead as King Henry.
Evening performances from Monday, January 12 are at 7.15pm, and matinees on Saturday and Sunday, January 10 and 11 are at 3.30pm, while the matinee on Saturday, January 17 is at 2.15pm.
Tickets cost £8, (concessions £6), family £24, Saturday evening all seats £8
Tickets are available from December 6 from George Alan, High Street, Rushden, between 9am and 5pm Monday to Saturday.
Enquiries 01933 356500 after 4pm and weekends.