The thrill of live performances is back in theatres across the county, and Christmas costumes, props and scripts are being prepared ahead of panto season.

As we begin to think of festive treats, we take a look at pantos to look forward to at Kent's theatres this year.

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury

Tickets are on sale for this year’s show, Jack and the Beanstalk, continuing the hugely successful partnership with Evolution. It will feature former singer with Blue, Duncan James, Strictly's Joanne Clifton and Marlowe panto favourite Ben Roddy and be written and directed by Paul Hendy. It will run from Friday, November 26 until Sunday, January 9, 2022. Book tickets online at marlowe.theatre.com and read our review of the show here.

Assembly Hall Theatre, Tunbridge Wells

Theatre bosses have signed up to partner with Evolution Productions for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and announced Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas will play the Wicked Queen. The show will run from Friday, December 17 until Monday, January 3, 2022 and be written by Evolution’s Paul Hendy with direction from the theatre’s JJ Almond. Tickets are on sale at assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

Orchard Theatre, Dartford

Panto legend Christopher Biggins will lead the cast of Jack and the Beanstalk after last year's postponement. He appeared at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley in 2019. He will be joined by children's TV presenter Kiera-Nicole Brennan from Channel 5's Milkshake. The show is due to run from Saturday, December 11 until Sunday, January 2, 2022. Tickets are on sale at orchardtheatre.co.uk

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 from Friday, December 3 to Monday, January 3. Book at woodville.co.uk

Hazlitt Theatre, Maidstone

Jack And The Beanstalk promises to be a giant of a family pantomime, featuring fairytales, poor hero Jack and his dotty mum Dame Trott. It runs at the Earl Street theatre from Saturday, November 27 to Sunday, January 2, 2022. Buy tickets online at parkwoodtheatres.co.uk

Churchill Theatre, Bromley

This year’s show, Sleeping Beauty, is aiming to be the pantomime of your dreams. It stars Bonnie Langford, Lee Mead, and Lloyd Hollett and will run from Saturday, December 4 to Sunday, January 2, 2022. Book at churchilltheatre.co.uk

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 will run from Friday, December 10 to Sunday, January 2, 2022. Book tickets at sevenoakspanto.com

EM Forster Theatre, Tonbridge

Wicked Productions will be 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 from Friday, December 10 to Sunday, January 2, 2022. For tickets call 01732 304241 or go to emftheatre.com.

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. Tickets are on sale now. Book at margate-live.com.

Central Theatre, Chatham

A baddie wanting boos, goodies with some gags, a heroine in hot water... but what has happened to the handsome Prince? The theatre's show, beauty and Beast, featuring Dame Derriere, her son, Potty Pierre, and ensuing chaos at the chateau runs from Thursday, December 9 to Friday, December 31. Jordan Productions are back after 2019’s Cinderella, and leading the cast will be CBeebies star Jennie Dale from Swashbuckle and former EastEnders star Todd Carty as Beauty’s father. For tickets go to medwayticketslive.co.uk.

Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone

Lee Brennan from boyband 911 will star as Prince Charming in the pantomime, Cinderella, which runs from Friday, December 10 to Friday, December 31. The show will be produced by Leas Cliff Hall and award-winning pantomime producers Paul Holman Associates and will have spectacular special effects, glittering scenery and costumes plus comedy, song, dance and audience interaction. For tickets go to atgtickets.com/Folkestone or call 0844 871 3015.

Brake Hall, Ashford

Blue Phoenix Productions are back after the success of Jack and the Beanstalk in 2019, 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 go to ashfordpantomime.co.uk or call 01233 367399.

White Rock, Hastings

Strictly star Brendan Cole leads the cast of Robin Hood at the theatre just over the Kent border. The show runs from Wednesday, December 15 to Friday, December 31. To book tickets go to whiterocktheatre.org.uk.

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 at theastor.co.uk.

For more Stage news across Kent click here.

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