It's panto time!

"Oh no it isn't," I hear you cry but oh yes it is and theatres across south west London will be home to all the well-loved panto stories plus a few not so well known tales.

And not only will there be well-known stories but well known faces acting them out including Shane Richie and Julian Clary.

Getting the season underway is Jack And The Beanstalk at Wimbledon Theatre. This lavish production which tells the story of Jack and his adventures after selling his cow for a handful of beans, stars Shane Richie, Sadie Nine and for all you 30-somethings who remember Rainbow, Geoffrey Hayes. Jack And The Beanstalk opens on Friday, December 7, and tickets for the first night cost just £10. It runs until Sunday January 20th.

Also in Wimbledon is the Polka Theatre For Children, which is staging not one but two shows, The Elves And The Shoemaker and The Night Before Christmas.

In The Night Before Christmas Jimmy Tibbs and his pals are drawn into a series of escapades, heading to the North Pole on a rescue mission. Now on, it runs until February 2, 2002. The Elves And The Shoemaker is a timeless tale. The shoemakers have no money for food or heating yet their generosity is repaid in a strange and magical way.

There could be friction at Richmond Theatre this Christmas with Julian Clary and leading lady Suzanne David fighting over the frocks in Cinderella.

The outrageous comic makes his London pantomime debut as Dandini, and as Christmas is a time for families Julian's big sister is starring as the fairy godmother.

Will Cinders go to the ball? Will Postman Pat be able to deliver the invitation on time? Will Julian get to wear the poshest frock? To find out get down to Richmond Theatre, Cinderella runs from December 13 to January 20, 2002.

Without any big names or Postman Pat, Wheelhouse Productions is also staging its version of Cinderella. Based at the Colour House Theatre, Merton Abbey Mills, the company specialises in putting on children's productions and this is its seventh Christmas show.

With ugly sisters named Influenza and Rubella, loads of original songs and just one hour long, this is perfect for children aged three and above. It is only on at weekends and for times and prices call 020 8542 6644.

Further afield Epsom Playhouse are staging their version of Jack and The Beanstalk starring TV personality Rick Bowers as Muddles. This production opens on December 21.

Darren Day stars alongside Mr Blobby in the Fairfield's Christmas extravaganza Cinderella. Also starring Christie Goddard as Cinderella, it opens on December 14.

A fine alternative to pantomime is Around The World In Eighty Days which is being staged at the Battersea Arts Centre which over the years has built a reputation with its Christmas musicals.

Never one to ignore a challenge, Phileas Fogg and his servant Passpertout face the most fearsome and fantastic days of their lives, as they risk everything to prove the world can be circled in 80 days.

But what of arrests, bandits, evil enemies, and the love of a princess? Will such surprises trip up his triumphant return? This production is now on and runs until January 12.

Sutton's Secombe Theatre is staging not one but two pantomimes this season starting with Cinderella, followed in January by Peter Pan.

Also in Sutton is the Charles Cryer Theatre which, this year, is home to the show The Night Before Christmas. A bubbly and mischievous elf is pretending to be hard at work in Santa's workshop but he is secretly hiding toys for himself.

When Santa find out he explains to the elf what Christmas is all about through song and dance. This is suitable for three to eight year olds and each child will have the chance to meet Father Christmas and share their seasonal wishes with him.

The Night Before Christmas opens tonight and runs until Christmas Eve.

So whatever you fancy , you'll find full details of the all the shows in London South West Live. And don't forget to watch this space for fantastic ticket giveaways we will be running throughout the festive season.

November 30, 2001 14:00