Aladdin: Gaiety Theatre, Dublin
Take an old lamp, a flying carpet, an evil magician, a genie with attitude and a mad washerwoman and you'll get the gist of this year's offering from the home of traditional pantomime. Barbara Brennan (as Sultana, Princess Jade's mum) and Cormac Costello (as Abanazer, the bad guy) join Alan Smyth (Aladdin) and Ruth Melody (Princess Jade) in this year's cast. Shows run from December 3rd to February 4th. Various times and prices. (01-6771717)
Cinderella: Olympia Theatre, Dublin
Twink, the grand dame of pantomime, leads the cast in a feast of topical wit, energetic dancing, sing-along songs and some cheeky carry-on. Watch out for the antics from Den 2 favourites Dustin and Socky. Opens December 26th at 3 p.m. Continues until February 11th. Tickets: £12.50 to £16.50. (016777744)
The Ambrosia Splat Panto: Beauty and the Beast:
St Anthony's Theatre, Merchants Quay, Dublin 2
Brenda Donohue from the Gerry Ryan show is the cleverly-whipped-from-the-radio star this year at this popular pantomime venue. Girl band Nchanted will keep the audience tapping its feet throughout the show. Opens December 26th at 3 p.m., with 3 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. shows (7.30 p.m. on Saturdays) until January 7th. From January 9th to 21st at 8 p.m. weekdays and at 3 p.m./7.30 p.m. on Saturdays; 3 p.m./6.30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets: £8.50/£9.50. (01-6706991)
Cinderella: Cork Opera House
The classic tale of Cinderella has been rejigged by children's author Maeve Ingoldsby into a high-energy show directed by Marion Wyatt, with David Hayes as musical director. Cinderella opens on December 18th and runs until January 14th. Shows nightly at 8 p.m., with some 3 p.m. matinees. Tickets £8 to £10. (021-4270022)
Robinson Crusoe and his Ma: Everyman Palace Theatre, Cork
The Cork Academy of Dramatic Arts's panto, regular panto providers for the Everyman, are in rehearsal at present. The plot of this show involves a zany gang of sailors on a voyage to Pokemon Island when pirate Black Patch intervenes. Shows run nightly at 8 p.m. from December 15th to January 20th. Weekend matinees at 2 p.m. (021-4501673)
Cinderella: Waterfront Hall, BT Studio, Belfast
The popular comic actor Olivia Nash plays the fairy godmother, and Northern panto dame Sean Kearns takes the role of the ugly sister in this perennial favourite. Shows run from December 9th to January 13th. Various times and ticket prices. (048-90-334455)
Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs: Town Hall Theatre, Galway
An experienced frontline cast from the Renmore Pantomine Society provides the festive entertainment in the City of the Tribes. Snow White runs from January 1st to 7th nightly at 8 p.m. Matinee shows at 3 p.m. on December 31st, January 1st, 6th, 7th. Tickets £6 to £8 (091569777)
