Our theatres are about to be taken over by groan-inducing (but glorious) gags, furious lamp-rubbing and ill-advised beanstalk-clambering, and frilly-knickered dames by the score. Quick! Pass the fairy dust.

Newcastle’s Theatre Royal is once again set to smash box-office records in 2026 when they stage ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ (24 November-17 January). And doing the biz for them again this festive season will be the tried and trusted team that includes the irrepressible Danny Adams who will be inducing the biggest laughs. Also along for the ride—once again—is South Shields’ very own singing sensation Joe McElderry who is as game as they come. Over at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House they’ve got ‘Aladdin’ (4 December-3 January) which is set to star ‘X-Factor’ runner-up and West End star Marcus Collins. He’ll be joined by ‘Eastenders’ legend Michael Greco who will surely be hitting the boos (and the hisses) when he appears as the evil Abanazar. Also on Tyneside, do not miss ‘The Snow Queen’ at Northern Stage (3 December-2 January – see page 8 for more on this). The Sunderland Empire is the place to be if you want to catch Bradley Riches. The popular actor—best known for his roles in ‘Emmerdale’ and Netflix’s ‘Heartstopper’—is the star-turn in ‘The Further Adventures of Peter Pan’ (pictured). This show will feature gravity-defying scenes and mind-blowing special effects galore. Gala Durham always stages a grand and hilarious panto and their treat for us this year is ‘Rapunzel’ (19 November-31 December). With the help of her new friends, can Rapunzel travel to the distant city of Durham and discover her true identity and solve the mystery of the floating lanterns? (Spoilers: yes.) The Middlesbrough Theatre are giving us the evergreen ‘Aladdin’ (5-31 December). Starring Olivia Bromley (Dawn Taylor from ‘Emmerdale’) and Paul Hawkyard (‘Coronation Street’ and ‘All Creatures Great and Small’) this extravaganza is packed with dazzling costumes, spellbinding special effects and buckets of audience participation. Check out Darlington Hippodrome if you’re after a dollop of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (11 December-3 January). This will see TV favourite Matt Baker going through his paces alongside Darlo’s finest panto stars Josh Benson and Jamie Jones. And there’s even more ‘Beauty and the Beast’-shaped fun to be had at Empire Consett (27 November-31 December). Written and directed by panto supremo Leah Bell, this annual treat is one of the funniest of all north-east pantos and is put together by a team who never fail to dish out the biggest of belly-laughs. The Customs House in South Shields also have a fabulous team, and this year they’re giving us ‘Sleeping Beauty’ (20 November-2 January). As ever, the uproarious Ray Spencer will be donning the Dame’s frillies for a tale where fairies feud, heroes blunder, and those pesky dragons lurk. Only true courage, and rolling laughter, can save the day. Meanwhile, The Queen’s Hall Arts Centre in Hexham are gearing up to give us their take on ‘A Christmas Carol’ (5 December-2 January). This family-friendly show will thrum with twinkling lanterns, toe-tapping carols, and larger-than-life characters in a real whirlwind of festive fun.

My advice: see as many of the above as you possibly can for the kind of Christmas tonic you’re unlikely to get from repeats of Mrs Brown’s Boys.