Panto season: Look behind you . . . there’s a celebrity

Squeeze out some family laughs at the panto with the help of celebrity sparkle from some of the country’s best-loved stars.

Dublin

Joe Duffy's star turn as magic mirror in Snow White and the Adventures of Sammy Sausages at the Tivoli Theatre in Dublin's Liberties is an inspired move to get the older generation to invest in a traditional Christmas evening's entertainment. Expect stalwart performances from his fellow celebs, Ireland AM's Alan Hughes and his husband Karl Broderick tread the boards alongside Mary Byrne who came to fame on TV's X Factor. Actor Rob Murphy plays the dame Da Buffy at the show which runs from Tuesday, December 4th to Sunday, January 13th. Adult tickets from €30.75 each.

At the Olympia on Dublin's Dame Street Rory Cowan, who left the long-running TV show Mrs Brown's Boys in 2017, is the star attraction and plays the lead role in Polly and The Magic Lamp. He is joined on stage by Fair City actor Ryan Andrews who has grown up on the set of Carrigstown, playing the character Sean Cassidy since the age of 15. The vocal talents include Rob Vickers, who played Jean Valjean in Les Misérables in London's West End, and had a worldwide hit with A Song for Lily-Mae, and singer Jake Carter, younger brother to country star Nathan who is also pretty impressive on the dance floor, as his turn on the last series of Dancing With the Stars demonstrated. Erin McGregor, fighter Conor's sister, a bodybuilder and a fellow Dancing With the Stars performer, while social media star and Operation Transformation contestant James Patrice adds to the glittering wattage amping up the city centre from Friday, December 21st to Saturday, January 6th. Tickets from €26 each.

The Snow Queen at the Gaiety, from Sunday November 25th to Sunday, January 20th, will be a visual feast as the cold-hearted monarch tries to freeze the fun out of this Christmas. The panto has been a festive fixture at this Victorian theatre for 145 years. Tickets from €27 each.

At the Civic in Tallaght, Sorcha Furlong, better known as Orla Kirwin in Fair City plays the evil baroness while West End veteran Morgan Crowley plays Dame Dottie in Jack and the Beanstalk, produced by panto veteran Rob Murphy who was involved with the Tivoli show for many seasons. Tickets from €16 each.

The Helix and TheatreworX team up once again to deliver a family night out in Dublin 9 that reimagines the adventures of Robin Hood. The show runs from Friday, November 23rd to until Sunday, January 20th and includes a sensory performance, taking place on Tuesday, December 7th. Tickets €30 each.

At the Mill Theatre, Dundrum, Dublin 14, Beauty and the Beast is the morality tale that pits beautiful Belle against the beastly Beast and in which Gaston is still totally in love, with himself. It runs from Saturday, December 8th to Sunday, January 6th. Tickets €16.

Cinderella at The Liberty is performed in one of Dublin's most iconic buildings, Liberty Hall and runs from December 19th to January 6th. Ciara Kelly is the world's best-known stepdaughter Cinderella while Darragh Kelliher's brooding good looks see him cast as Prince Charming. With previews on Wednesday, December 19th and Thursday, December 20th, the show opens on Friday, December 21st and runs to Sunday, January 6th. Tickets €19.50.

In Blanchardstown, Draíocht is playing with tradition by running its Dublin 15 production of The Wizard of Oz in 2019 only. The adventures of Dorothy and her dog Toto on the yellow brick road run from Friday, January 4th to Sunday, January 20th. Tickets €22.

Cork

Cinderella is the panto of choice at the Everyman Theatre. Running from Saturday, December 1st to Sunday, January 13th, its glass slipper-wearing heroine is Zoe Talbot, a world champion Irish dancer. Ross Macleod is her Prince Charming while Ciaran Bermingham, best known to Game of Thrones fans as Mord the jailer, is the fairy godmother. Tickets €28.

In the Opera House, Aladdin takes you on a magic carpet ride with spectacular dance routines, comedy capers and magical special effects to bewitch the senses. Tickets from €35.50.

Limerick

Shannonside's Snow White runs at University Concert Hall with comedian, actor and TV gold Katherine Lynch making her UCH debut as the Wicked Queen. The Voice star Richie Hayes is Prince Charming. Tickets €29.

Alice in Wonderland is the panto running at Lime Tree Theatre with performances from Friday, December 28th to Sunday, January 6th. Tickets €20.50.

Galway

Sleeping Beauty is the talk of the town at Galway's Town Hall Theatre. Running from Saturday, December 29th to Sunday, January 13th, Renmore Pantomime breathes new life into the traditional tale thanks to an original script by panto dame Peter Kennedy. Tickets from €18.