WITH pantomime season almost upon us and with theatres around Scotland currently readying their festive shows, here’s our picks of the main panto players.

A Christmas Carol

Colin McCredie, best known as Taggart’s DC Fraser, is Scrooge in a new adaptation by Isobel McArthur.

November 21 to December 23, £16.50 to £25.50, Pitlochry Festival Theatre. Tel: 01796 484626. www.PitlochryFestivalTheatre.com

Cinderfella

Cinderella and Muttons the sheep storm Princess Charmaine’s ball in Johnny McKnight’s show while Ali The Magic Elf offers festive fun for 3-6 year-olds from November 29 to Hogmanay.

November 27 to January 5, Tron Theatre, Glasgow, £9 to £23, Tel: 0141 552 4267. www.tron.co.uk

An Edinburgh Christmas Carol

Crawford Logan stars in Tony Cownie’s adaptation, inspired by lore that Charles Dickens found the tombstone of one Ebenezer Scroggie in an Edinburgh kirkyard.

November 28 to January 4, Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh, £10 to £32. Tel: 0131 248 4848. www.lyceum.org.uk

Sinbad

Perth’s favourite dame Barrie Hunter welcomes all mateys aboard for high-seas adventure and panto high-jinks.

November 29 to December 4, Perth Theatre, £11.50 to £23. Tel: 01738 621031. www.horsecross.co.uk

Cinderella

Louie Spence heads the cast of the spectacular along with His Majesty’s favourite Alan McHugh, River City’s Sally Howitt and Call The Midwife star Laura Main.

November 30 to January 5, His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen, £14.50 to £36. Tel: 01224 641122. www.aberdeenperformingarts.com

Beauty and The Beast

Christie Gowans, Rodney Matthew and well-kent panto duo Ross Allan and Steven Wren star in the tale of a cursed Prince.

December 6 to January 5, Eden Court, Inverness, £14 to £26. Tel: 01463 234 234. www.eden-court.co.uk

The Snow Queen

Scottish Ballet’s 50th anniversary year ends with Christopher Hampson’s glittering new production, inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s tale.

December 7 to 29, Festival Theatre, Edinburgh; January 3 to 18, Theatre Royal, Glasgow; Jan 22 to 25, His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen; Jan 29 to Feburary 1, Eden Court, Inverness, £19 to £6. www.scottishballet.co.uk

Snow White

A contemporary twist on the traditional panto with River City’s Tom Urie, Scot Squad’s Darren Connell and Over The Rainbow finalist Jenny Douglas.

December 7 to 30, Gardyne Theatre, Dundee, £16.75 to £23.75. Tel: 01382 434 940. www.gardynetheatre.org.uk

Pinocchio

Robert Alan Evans and Lu Kemp, the team behind Perth Theatre’s Kes, present the classic for the Citizens at their temporary home.

December 7 to January 4, Tramway, Glasgow, £12.50 to £28. Tel: 0141 429 0022. www.citz.co.uk

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Hilarity, 3D effects and an all-star cast headed by Gary: Tank Commander and Two Doors Down’s Doon Mackichan. 

December 14 to 31, SEC Armadillo, Glasgow, £18 to 34. Tel: 0844 395 4000. www.sec.co.uk