THE pantomime is a venerable Christmas tradition, and this year is no exception, with fun productions aimed at audiences of all ages being staged at theatres around the area.

Worcester’s Swan tells the story of Dick Whittington, the rags-to-riches tale of the poor boy from Gloucester who makes his way to London to seek his fortune. With help from his cheeky feline friend Tommy, Dick sets out to find out if the streets really are paved with gold and if good really can defeat evil.

Leading lady, Notzarina Reevers is playing Alice and is really excited to be in her first Swan Theatre panto. She said: “I’m really looking forward to playing Alice. I have known Ben Humphrey who is playing Dick Whittington for years since we studied together at Bristol Old Vic, so it’s brilliant to know I’m acting with someone I respect already and who is fun to be around."

The show in on now until January 12. Tickets (£9.95 to £14.95) are available from 01905 611427 or worcesterlive.co.uk.

Ledbury Amateur Dramatic Society is putting on Cinderella at the Market Theatre, in January. The show, directed by Andrew Hill will feature loads of laughs, lots of corny jokes, plus two dames for the price of one. The show is on January 21-30, and tickets (£7, juniors £4) are available now from the Tourist Information Centre at the Master's House on 01531 636147.

Bromyard's Conquest Theatre is breaking with tradition by putting on Wyrd Sisters. On Thursday-Saturday (December 17-19), the show by the Senior Youth Theatre brings Terry Pratchett's celebrated coven of witches to life in a plot not unlike Macbeth, but not exactly like it either. Tickets are £8, £7 and £5, and are available from conquest-theatre.co.uk.

The Courtyard Theatre, Hereford, is following the massive success of last year's Jack and the Beanstalk with the classic story Beauty and the Beast.

The show, which opened last Friday (December 4) and is on until January 9, promises to be bigger and better than ever, with surprises, spellbinding special effects and super scary villains, all wrapped up with the familiar panto elements.

Tickets are available from courtyard.org.uk or 01432 340555.

Tewkesbury's Roses Theatre is staging Cinderella, which is on from now until January 3. For information contact 01684 295074 or rosestheatre.org.

The Norbury Theatre Players in Droitwich are also putting on Cinderella, on January 7-24. For tickets and information, contact 01905 770154 or norburytheatre.freeserve.co.uk.

And at Evesham Arts Centre, Phoenix Theatre Group is putting on another production of Cinderella on January 20-24. Tickets (£8) are available from 07910 499589.