ONCE upon a time there was a world where families would head to the theatre to be dazzled and amazed as stars transported them to magical worlds.

And there are plenty of stars when Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre opens its celebrity-filled pantomime Cinderella next weekend.

Brian Conley returns to Southampton to play Buttons, and is joined by fashion expert, award-winning TV presenter, author and all-round national treasure Gok Wan as The Fairy Gokmother. It follows the huge success of Robinson Crusoe and The Caribbean Pirates last year, which saw Conley flying over the heads of audiences in a magical car.

In a career spanning three decades, Brian Conley has appeared in award-winning West End musicals and television sit-coms, presented his own chat shows, recorded three albums and completed numerous sell-out tours of the UK.

Fashion guru Gok Wan will be offering his helpful style tips to The Ugly Sisters to create the most magical ball gown in panto-land.

Cinderella runs at Mayflower Theatre from Saturday, December 13 to Sunday, January 4. For tickets visit mayflower.org.uk or call 023 8071 1811.

  • Over at the Nuffield Theatre, Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale The Snow Queen has already opened and is bringing some festive fun to families.

Daily Echo:

Produced by the Nuffield Theatre with Royal & Derngate, the show sees a young girl undertake a treacherous journey to save her best friend from the show’s wicked titular character.Adapted by award-winning writer Georgie Pritchett, known for penning comedies such as Miranda and The Thick Of It, witty one-liners are delivered with perfection by the cast.

Songs performed in a snow-filled and icy set will warm the hearts of many wanting a little Christmas cheer.

For tickets, prices and details of performances visit nuffieldtheatre.co.uk or call the box office on 023 8067 1771.

  • Families can escape the humdrum of the Christmas build up with magic beans, giants and of course a beanstalk in The Berry Theatre’s production of Jack.Daily Echo:

Penned by Olivier award-winning writer Mike Kenny, Jack gives a modern twist to an old classic complete with enchanting puppetry, silly songs, an angry chicken and a smattering of Christmas charm. Songs for the show are composed by Ivan Stott.

At just five foot one inches tall, Hayley Doherty never thought she’d be playing a giant but this December she’ll be doing just that for The Berry Theatre’s Christmas show.

Hayley is one of the three professional actors taking to the stage the Hedge End theatre’s Christmas production.

She’ll be playing Gertrude, the Giant’s wife and will also be tackling the role of Jack’s Mum in the family production.

Hayley is joined on stage by Simon Snashall as the Giant Garbold and Iain Ridley as Jack.

Jack is on from Friday, December 12, until Christmas Eve. For tickets and further information call 023 8065 2333 or visit .

  • At Winchester, the Theatre Royal is celebrating its centennial anniversary with the Sleeping Beauty, the tale of the young princess who slept for 100 years and was only awakened by love’s first kiss. Written and directed by James Barry, with music by Simon Slater, there will be fire-breathing dragons, a time-travelling prince and a fearsome forest of thorns. Expect jokes a-plenty with a show which runs from Tuesday, December 9, until Sunday, January 4.
     
  • A somewhat naughty-but-nice panto, with an age restriction of 16-plus, there will be plenty of double-entendres at The Cellar in Southampton.

They have got an adult slant on the fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk as audiences join Jack and his family, Simple Simon and Dame Trott struggling to pay the bills.

Presented by The Stage Door, the show features cast members from London and Hampshire. Coronation Street’s Christian – son of the late Hailey Cropper, (Andrew Turner) will be playing Simple Simon alongside a host of other sterling performers from the West-End, stage and screen.

Showing at The Cellar, Southampton from Tuesday to Saturday December 9 to 20. Tickets and information are available from thestagedoor.org.uk or southamptoncellar.com or call 023 8071 0648.

  • In Basingstoke, the Anvil’s pantomime this Christmas is Cinderella, starring children’s TV star Keith Chegwin as Buttons and Katy Ashworth from CBeebies as the Fairy Godmother. Taking the title role of Cinderella is Sarah Louise Day, who is also choreographer, while dancers from Basingstoke Academy of Dance and North Hampshire Academy of Dance also feature.

Cinderella runs from Thursday, December 11, to Sunday, January 4. For tickets call 01256 844244 or visit anvilarts.org.uk.