T'was the night before Christmas, and all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse . . .

. . . except when the house in question is one of our esteemed local theatres, all of which are laying on a rip-roaring panto for your entertainment this year.

First up is South Hill Park Arts Centre's production of Cinderella, which is spreading some early Christmas spirit with the first night next Wednesday (November 28).

The classic tale will feature South Hill regular Mark Clegg as Buttons, Sarah Bond as Cinderella and Toni-Sue Burley as the Fairy Godmother.

The panto runs until January 5, and tickets can be booked by calling 01344 484123.

The Theatre Royal Windsor will be welcoming husband and wife team Paul Daniels and Debbie McGee to inject a little magic into Dick Whittington, which runs from December 5 to January 13.

They'll be joined by TV stars Trevor Bannister, Christopher Beeny and GMTV's Louise Perry, and tickets can be booked by calling 01753 852888.

Richmond Theatre is going for the award for biggest celebrity line-up this year, welcoming not only Julian Clary but Postman Pat to vie for top billing in Cinderella from December 13 to January 20.

Julian, who'll be playing Dandini, will be joined on stage by his real-life big sister, Frankie Castro, as the Fairy Godmother, while TV's Derren Nesbitt will appear as Baron Hardup. Book tickets on 020 8940 0088.

The Isleworth Actors Company will be providing the entertainment at Hounslow's Paul Robeson Theatre with a glittering production of Arabian Nights.

The heroes and villains of Scheherazade's 1001 enchanting tales will be brought to life by the professional company from December 4 to 15, and tickets can be booked by calling 020 8583 2345.