Take your pick of magical pantos

When it comes to stage entertainment this close to Christmas, there really is only one thing worth considering – a good traditional pantomime.

And The Key Theatre and The Cresset in Peterborough are both offiering just that.
The Key’s panto this year is Aladdin and promises to deliver everything you expect – an all singing, all dancing month of music, madness and a lantern full of magic!
This is the story of Aladdin – the poor boy who finds fame and fortune thanks to a genie in a magic lamp.
Magic, adventure and excitement are always a major part of panto at the Key – together with an abundance of slapstick, humour, music and spectacle and this story has it all.
This year’s Aladdin will be filled with some of the UK’s most talented actor musicians, where the onstage cast are also the band! Aladdin promises a foot tapping, swinging style of comedy that has proved so popular since Cinderella (2013).
In the cast, Darren Machin plays the dame of dames Widow Twankey. In stark contrast to his TV appearances in Downton Abbey and New Tricks, Darren was in the West End with Privates On Parade and has worked with legendary dame Terry Scott as well as comedy greats Eric Sykes, Ray Cooney and Carry On’s Bernard Bresslaw.
Familiar faces to the Key; Natalie Morton Graham (Cinderella) returns to play Princess Poppy, with James Peake and Robin Johnson (Jack and the Beanstalk) back as Wishee Washee and the evil Abanazzar.
It runs until January 3, with various showings.
Tickets cost between £10 and £18.
To book, go to www.vivacity-peterborough.com/ or call the box office on 01733 207239.
The Cresset’s 2015 panto is The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, starring Steven Arnold – best known as Coronation Street’s Ashley Peacock.
Follow the yellow brick road to the magical city of Oz, and join Dorothy in her adventures.
Meet the scarecrow, tin man and lion along the way, and help them find the wizard to defeat the wicked witch and get Dorothy and Toto back home!
Since the movie release in 1939, this magical tale has captured the imagination of children young and old across the world, and with great songs, a fantastic story and memorable characters it has everything a great panto should.
Premier Pantomimes will once again bring their special touch of magic and sparkle to present a spectacular show filled with song and dance, fun and laughter, topped with plenty of audience participation.
With a team of locally recruited dancers and a star cast, now is the time to book your tickets to head over the rainbow this Christmas.
Various performances run until December 30 and tickets cost £10.50 for children and seniors and £14 for adults.
To book, go to www.cresset.co.uk or call 01733 265705.