The dancing will be on point in panto from this weekend as one of the final pantomimes opens in the county.

Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas will be kicking up her heels in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Assembly Hall, Tunbridge Wells.

Known as the Queen of Latin, she will play the Wicked Queen in the show produced for the first time at the theatre with Evolution Productions.

Speaking to Andy Walker on kmfm, she said: “I’m not used to playing a wicked character but I must say it is quite a juicy part. I am ready for those boos - bring them on.”

It will be Shirley’s first panto in Tunbridge Wells, and she is already impressed with the town.

“It is such a beautiful place. When I visited, I thought ‘this is going to be a lovely run’.

“There is some scary music but not too scary and the comedy is off the scale.”

Due to the Strictly final being on Saturday, December 18, she will not be able to perform in the panto that night. But will be back at it the following day.

The show is on from Friday, December 17 until Monday, January 3. Book tickets by clicking here.

Here are all the pantos now open or about to open, across the county...

Astor Theatre, Deal

Gary Starr Pantomimes, in association with the theatre, will be returning for a third year with their pantomimes Cinderella. It will run from Monday, December 20 to Friday, December 24. Book tickets by clicking here.

Brake Hall, Ashford

Blue Phoenix Productions are back with Dick Whittington. The production will see Hubert Cox as Dick, Paul Ketley as Dame Dolly the Cook, and Rob Hancox as King Rat. They will be joined by a team of professional dancers and a chorus of local children. The show runs from Monday, December 20 to Monday, January 3, 2022. For tickets priced from £12 click here or call 01233 367399.

Central Theatre, Chatham

The theatre’s show, Beauty and Beast, featuring Dame Derriere, her son, Potty Pierre, and ensuing chaos at the chateau runs to Friday, December 31. Jordan Productions are back with CBeebies star Jennie Dale from Swashbuckle and former EastEnders star Todd Carty as Beauty’s father. For tickets click here.

Churchill Theatre, Bromley

This year’s show, Sleeping Beauty, stars Bonnie Langford, Lee Mead, and Lloyd Hollett and runs through to Sunday, January 2, 2022. Book tickets by clicking here.

EM Forster Theatre, Tonbridge

Wicked Productions are staging the family show Rapunzel with Tom Swift as Joey the Jester with Amanda Swift playing the wicked Horrorbella who casts a spell on young Rapunzel. The show runs through to Sunday, January 2, 2022. For tickets call 01732 304241 or click here.

Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone

Jack And The Beanstalk is a giant of a family pantomime, featuring fairytales, poor hero Jack and his dotty mum Dame Trott. It runs at the Earl Street theatre until Sunday, January 2, 2022. Buy tickets online here.

Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone

Lee Brennan from boyband 911 will star as Prince Charming in the pantomime, Cinderella, which runs until Friday, December 31. The show is produced by Leas Cliff Hall and award-winning pantomime producers Paul Holman Associates. For tickets click here or call 0844 871 3015.

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

Jack and the Beanstalk continues the hugely successful partnership with Evolution, and features former singer with Blue, Duncan James, Strictly’s Joanne Clifton and Marlowe panto favourite Ben Roddy. Written and directed by Paul Hendy, it will run until Sunday, January 9, 2022. Book tickets by clicking here.

Orchard Theatre, Dartford

Panto legend Christopher Biggins leads the cast of Jack and the Beanstalk after last year’s postponement. He is joined by children’s TV presenter Kiera-Nicole Brennan from Channel 5’s Milkshake. The show is on until Sunday, January 2, 2022. Tickets are available here.

Stag Theatre, Sevenoaks

The popular panto team are back with The Pirates of Treasure Island starring Melissa Jacques, Ant Payne and Jamie Alexander Wilson as Silly Billy Bones and Mrs Smollett, and Ru Paul’s Drag Race star Vinegar Strokes. The show is on until Sunday, January 2, 2022. Book tickets here.

Theatre Royal Margate

Wicked Productions will be bringing Robin Hood to the theatre for some well-needed fun from Thursday, December 16 until Sunday, January 2, 2022. Book by clicking here.

The Woodville, Gravesend

Wicked Productions are back with Robin Hood, with Gravesend favourite Robert Pearce as Dame Tuck; ventriloquist Nicky Trix as Silly Willy Scarlett and Rob Cummings as the dastardly Sheriff of Nottingham. It runs through to Monday, January 3. Book here.

White Rock, Hastings

Strictly star Brendan Cole leads the cast of Robin Hood at the theatre just over the Kent border until Friday, December 31. To book tickets click here.