Mother Goose, starring Sir Ian McKellen and John Bishop, is so wholesome and funny that even those of us who don’t like pantos will enjoy it

Mother Goose comes to The Lowry for the penultimate stop of its UK tour, starring Sir Ian McKellen, John Bishop, and Anna-Jane Casey

eight-freestyle return to Contact Theatre with Robin Hood: The 80’s Panto – a retelling of Robin Hood with festive spirit and 80s bangers

The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan, starring Jason Manford at Manchester Opera House, is my first ever panto – and it made me rediscover my inner-child!

The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan, starring Jason Manford and Ben Nickless, is this year’s panto at Manchester Opera House

Theatre Editor Jay Darcy reviews Aladdin at the Opera House – their first panto in two years – starring Alexandra Burke

Dick Whittington and His Amazing Cat plays at Contact Theatre this Christmas

After last year’s pantomime was cancelled, the Opera House returns with Aladdin – starring Alexandra Burke

Annie Dabb examines the impact of the demolition of the Picadilly Gardens wall, and shows how the middle classes tend to prioritise aesthetics over functionality

Thanks to the National Lottery, Manchester Opera House is able to put on its annual Christmas pantomime! This years performance of Sleeping Beauty stars Jason Manford – with free tickets for NHS staff

Ikra Raja reviews Snow White, starring Craig Revel Horwood, Ben Nickless and Eric Potts, at the Opera House

Anna Jin reviews Jack and the Beanstalk, this year’s pantomime at the Oldham Coliseum

Amy Hagan reviews ‘Jack and the ‘Beaker’stalk: The Panto’ by the UoM Panto Society

Emily Cushlow reviews ‘Cinderella’, the pantomime at the Oldham Coliseum

What can you expect from the Pantomime Society? Chloe Hatton talks to its co-chairs to find out.

A spotlight on four societies that you might not have heard of, but are ideal for those looking to start something new