Audiences will have plenty of opportunity to swoon at pretty princesses and boo and hiss at villainous baddies during the festive season. Oh yes they will! Here’s our guide to pantomimes around Sussex this Christmas!

Beauty and the Beast Meridian Centre, Peacehaven

Wednesday, December 5, until Saturday, December 8

The classic story of Beauty And The Beast is performed by the Peacehaven Players, providing fun for all the family.

For tickets, call 01273 681861 or visit www.peacehavenplayers.co.uk.

Cinderella Ifield Barn Theatre, Ifield Street, Ifield

Thursday, December 6, until Sunday, December 9 This Christmas panto is written by Dave Moody and directed by Antony Barden.

For tickets, priced £6 and £8, call the box office on 01293 522763 or visit www.ifieldbarn.co.uk.

Aladdin The Hawth Theatre, Hawth Avenue, Crawley

Friday, December 7, until Sunday, December 30

Top entertainer Les Dennis frolics in a frock as he takes on the role of Widow Twankey in this comedy with stunning sets, beautiful costumes, a flying carpet and an Aladdin’s cave full of surprises.

Noel Sullivan, one of the founding members of pop group Hear’Say, makes his pantomime debut in the title role. He’ll be joined on stage by Jon Clegg as Wishee Washee and Helen Kurup as Princess Jasmine.

For tickets, priced from £15.50, call the box office on 01293 553636 or visit www.hawth.co.uk.

Peter Pan White Rock Theatre, Hastings

Saturday, December 8, until Sunday, December 30

Just Good Friends star Paul Nicholas is the villainous Captain Hook in this spectacular swashbuckling panto with magnificent scenery, beautiful costumes and some stunning flying sequences.

For tickets and more details, visit www.whiterocktheatre.org.uk.

Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs The Capitol, North Street, Horsham

Thursday, December 13, until Saturday, January 5

Soap star Gillian Wright, who has starred in Spooks, Casualty, The Bill and Coronation Street, will be having a wicked time this Christmas as the Wicked Queen in the classic fairy tale packed with music and dance... and the seven dwarfs, of course.

Also at The Capitol this Christmas is Dear Santa by Rod Campbell, from Wednesday, December 12, until Monday, December 24, with songs, audience participation and a chance for younger children to meet Santa.

For tickets to both Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs and Dear Santa, call 01403 750220 or visit www.thecapitolhorsham.com.

Sleeping Beauty Devonshire Park Theatre, Compton Street, Eastbourne

Thursday, December 13, until Sunday, January 13

Former Nolans frontwoman Bernie Nolan casts an evil spell as the villainess Carabosse, who curses the beautiful princess to sleep for 100 years, only to be awoken by her true love’s kiss.

It’s Eastbourne’s dream pantomime and it sounds like it’s the songstress’s dream date too. “I love appearing in pantomime because it’s such fun,” says Bernie, who hit the Number One spot in The Nolans with I’m in the Mood for Dancing. “I’d much rather play a baddie. Goodies are boring!”

For tickets, priced from £10.50, call the box office on 01323 412000 or visit www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk.

The Wizard Of Oz Worthing Pavilion Theatre, Marine Parade, Worthing

Thursday, December 13, until Sunday, January 6

Talented local youngsters will be sharing the limelight with TOWIE star Mario Falcone in an enchanting production of The Wizard Of Oz at the Pavilion Theatre this Christmas.

Dorothy and her friends will be battling the wicked witch and her flying monkeys in this wizard of a pantomime, which also stars Tom and Jack from Heart Breakfast, Kevin Tillett as Glinda, Gary Starr as the Tin Man and Sarah Brown as Dorothy.

For tickets, priced from £10, call the box office on 01903 206206 or visit www.worthingtheatres.co.uk/pantos2012.

Sleeping Beauty Connaught Theatre, Union Place, Worthing

Friday, December 17, until Saturday, January 5

ITV’s Superstars star Jon Moses plays Prince Valiant who must awaken the princess and save her from the evil Carabosse, played by Hi-de-Hi’s Nikki Kelly in this traditional pantomime. The piano-playing dame is played by Bobby Crush, with Tony Rudd as Muddles.

For tickets, from £10, call the box office on 01903 206206 or visit www.worthingtheatres.co.uk.

The Rocky Horror Show Theatre Royal, New Road, Brighton

Thursday, December 20, until Saturday, January 5

It’s not a Christmas panto, but the world’s favourite rock ’n’ roll musical comes to Brighton this Christmas with a cast including The X Factor’s Rhydian, Ben Forster from Jesus Christ Superstar, Emmerdale’s Roxanne Pallett, and West End star Oliver Thornton.

Richard O’Brien’s sci-fi comedy musical bursting with timeless songs and outrageous outfits follows Brad and his fiancee Janet, who embark upon a crazy adventure when their car breaks downs outside the house of Dr Frank’n’Furter. Take note: it contains rude bits!

For tickets priced £15-£29.50, call the box office on 0844 871 7650 or visit www.atgtickets.com/brighton.

Cinderella Chequer Mead Theatre, De La Warr Road, East Grinstead

Friday, December 21, until Sunday, December 30

The Company Of Friends stages the most romantic pantomime of all when a superb cast brings this fairytale magically to life. There’s comedy, stunning sets and fabulous special effects.

For tickets, priced from £15, call the box office on 01342 302000 or visit www.chequermead.org.uk.

Treasure Island Eastergate Parish Hall, Barnham Road, Eastergate

Tuesday, January 22, until Saturday, January 26

With a script by the Phoenix Writers Group, this famous story is the Eastergate Players’ 36th family panto, featuring Jim Hawkins and his mum, Long John Silver, a talking parrot and pirates galore.

For tickets and more information, visit www.eastergateplayers.org.uk.

Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs The Barn Theatre, Saxon Lane, Seaford

Wednesday, January 23, until Sunday, January 27

A traditional fun-filled panto with a Wicked Queen plotting against Snow White.

Tickets available from Seaford Tourist Information on 01323 897426.