It's panto season....

We are going to our first press performance of the Christmas season this afternoon, Wicked Witches – A Popular Panto! at the Pleasance in Islington. With turns (on celluloid not IRL) from Jeremy Corbyn at the Wizard of Ozlington and Sir Ian McKellen as Toto the Dog, check back for our verdict.

If panto is your jam, below are seven more that are on our hit list.

Alexandra Waite Roberts is having fun in rehearsal for the Wicked Stepmother in Hackney

Catherine Tate is the evil Carabosse in Sleeping Beauty at the Palladium

The Lyric Hammersmith's production is proudly local, with a young local cast

Basil Brush 🤔? is on stage in Richmond

Dance supremos Diversity take on the Sheriff of Nottingham at Wimbledon

Off to Neverland for Anthony Spargo's newbie in Greenwich

Why settle for one panto, when you can have seven at Wilton's Music Hall?

Cinderella Hackney Empire, 22 Nov–31 Dec. The proud home of East End panto. Tickets from £10.

Sleeping Beauty London Palladium, 6 Nov–11 Jan. Catherine Tate and Julian Clary ham it up in the West End’s inuendo-laden production.

Jack and the Beanstalk Lyric Hammersmith, 15 Nov–4 Jan. West London will give Hackney a good run for its money.

Peter Pan Greenwich Theatre, 28 Nov­–11 Jan. Tickets: £42 adults, £20 children.

Cinderella Richmond Theatre, 6 Dec–4 Jan. This year Cinderella is joined by her fairy godmother, Buttons and… Basil Brush? Tickets from £15.

Robin Hood New Wimbledon Theatre, 6 Dec–4 Jan. Britain’s Got Talent sensation Diversity join the panto cast. Tickets from £15.

Potted Panto Wilton’s Music Hall, 4 Dec–4 Jan. Tickets: £15–£33 adults, £12.50–£30.50 concs. Age 6+.