Yule be sure to find a panto cracker this Christmas!

Yo ho ho! It’s panto time! There’s some cracking Christmas treats for the family this Yuletide with stars big and small.

All these theatres are within an hour from Leighton Buzzard and they offer some great deals if you’re booking for groups or your immediate family.

Don’t forget those pantos and Christmas shows closer to home. The local am-dram groups excel at this time of year with a January filled with fun and laughter.

In no particular order:

Snow White  @ MKTSnow White  @ MKT
Snow White @ MKT

Milton Keynes Theatre: Until Jan 12.

Snow White stars the irrepressible Warwick Davis as head dwarf, The Prof, with Jennifer Ellison as the Wicked Queen and the hysterically funny Kev Orkian returning as comic foil Muddles.

Warwick, who was recently headlining Spamalot, in the West End, is also directing everyone’s favourite pantomime.

Tickets 0844 871 7652 or online www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes.

Shane Ritchie in CindersShane Ritchie in Cinders
Shane Ritchie in Cinders

The Grove Theatre: Dec 13-Jan 5

Dick Whittington has soap’s nastiest villain, Leslie Grantham (Dirty Den) being particularly evil with Neighbours’ regular Ryan Moloney (Toadfish) providing the laughter as Idle Jack.

Tickets: 01582 602080 or online www.grovetheatre.co.uk.

Aylesbury Waterside: Dec 13-Jan 5

Linda Lousardi and Sam Kane in Sleeping BeautyLinda Lousardi and Sam Kane in Sleeping Beauty
Linda Lousardi and Sam Kane in Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty give us Grantham’s TV wife, Anita Dobson, playing the wicked fairy Carabosse.

The panto also sees the return of local favourites Andy Collins, as Chester The Jester, and Holly Brewer in the title role.

Tickets: 0844 871 7607 or visit www.atgtickets.com/aylesbury

Royal & Derngate, Northampton: Until Jan 5.

The main Derngate auditorium has the showbiz couple Sam Kane and Linda Lusardi in Sleeping Beauty 3D! while the more traditional Wind In The Willows plays on the Royal stage.

Tickets: 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk.

Wycombe Swan: Until Jan 5

Cinderella, possibly the greatest panto of them all and with everyone’s fav toy this year, a bit of 3D magic! It stars another EastEnders’ chap, comedian Shane (Alfie Moon) Ritchie as the loveable Buttons.

Tickets 01494 512000 or visit www.wycombeswan.co.ukWatford Palace Theatre: Until Dec 28

Join Robin Hood, the beautiful Maid Marion and Friar Tuck, as they attempt to foil the evil plans of the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham. Tickets 01923 225671 or visit www.watfordpalacetheatre.co.ukAlban Arena: Until Jan 5.

Gareth Gates stars in Cinderella with CBeebies favourite Andy Day. For tickets 01727 844 488 or visit www.alban-arena.co.ukTurn the page for more Christmassy stuff!!