Pantomime, love it or loath it, has taken over our theatres.

Whether it be amateur dramatics groups hamming it up with gusto or big names stars surrounded by professional extras, cries of “he’s behind you” and a large man dressed inexpertly as a woman can be found treading the boards this winter.

Most are running well into the new year so if you haven’t lined up a show yet hope is at hand.

Croydon’s Fairfield Halls has enlisted the help of pop-star come West End actor Gareth Gates for its production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.

Supported by Witney White in a brave colour-blind casting as the leading lady, formidable baddie Siani Owen and panto veteran Patrick Quinn this is a bold production full of crisply performed dance routines, quality musical numbers and bawdy innuendo.

A tram journey away The New Wimbledon Theatre has taken on another classic fairy tale (and so inevitably also a Disney film) Cinderella.

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Cinderella at the New Wimbledon Theatre

Producers have embraced technology and a more modern vibe and audiences should expect pyrotechnics, renditions of current chart-toppers and even 3D glasses.

Dallas Star Linda Gray is this year's big celebrity crowd-drawer, making her panto debut as possibly London's first ever "Yee-hah" Fairy Godmother.

She is joined by Matthew Kelly, Wayne Sleep – who suffers himself to be the centre of an ugly sister twerk sandwich, and top comedian Tim Vine.

Those keen on catching Snow White, but worried Croydon is too far can get that poisoned apple magic in Richmond.

Here Jerry Hall dazzles as arch baddie Queen Morgiana as the Texan supermodel-turned actress cackles and insults her way through the show.

However her efforts are at risk of being overshadowed by the performances of the dwarfs, particularly Loopy, who goes the whole show as a mute before bursting into a Susan Boyle song at curtain call.

If you fancy a family friendly show with a touch more gravitas Kingston’s Rose Theatre is staging an adaptation of C.S Lewis’s children’s book The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe.

Step inside a spectacular world of mythical creatures, winter themes, and with strong Christian overtones, a story very much in keeping with the season.

The show combines a top cast of adult performers with budding talent courtesy of the Rose Youth Theatre.

Elsewhere Epsom Playhouse is staging a youth theatre production of Jack and the Beanstalk, while The Secombe Theatre, Sutton hosts Carshalton Pantomime Compnay for Dick Whittington in Pantoland