Families in Hillingdon are spoiled for choice this year, with a selection of classic shows starring TV personalities, popular singers and talented performers running into the new year.

Revel in the hysterical, mad-cap romps based on traditional fairy tales, with cross-dressing, romances, puns galore and all-singing, all-dancing heroes and villains all part and parcel. Don’t be surprised if you become part of the story too!

Read on and take your pick from the Gazette’s comprehensive list of shows.

BECK THEATRE

Grange Road, Hayes, UB3 2UE

Box office: 020 8561 8371

www.becktheatre.org.uk

Dick Whittington

Tuesday, December 3 until Sunday, 8 December

Productions by the British Airways Cabin Crew Entertainment Society (BACCES) rarely disappointment, and Dick Whittington promises to be another feather in their cap.

Follow the adventures of Dick as he arrives in London full of hope of finding riches with the help of Fairy Bowbells, and the evil King Rat, who threatens to derail these best-laid plans.

Join Dick and his cat as they sing, dance and over-act their way to a fortune.

7.30pm Tuesday-Thursday, 8pm Friday/Saturday, 2.30pm Saturday, 1.30pm Sunday. Tickets £15-£19

Cinderella

Saturday, December 14 until Sunday, January 5

Continuing its rich vein of attracting top stars for panto season, this year the Beck welcomes the 2009 winner of The X Factor, Joe McElderry, in his pantomime debut.

He stars as Prince Charming alongside Shane Richie Jnr as Buttons, and Jenny-Ann Topham as the Wicked Stepmother.

Executive producer Daryl Back said: “I’m delighted that we have Joe’s sensational singing talents at the forefront of this year’s Beck Theatre pantomime.

“Joe is a fantastic live performer and I know he is going to bring real magic to our show.”

Some dates have already sold out, so buy your tickets today to avoid disappointment.

Show times vary – see website for details. Tickets £16.50-£22 (group discounts available)

COMPASS THEATRE

Glebe Avenue, Ickenham, UB10 8PD

Box office: 01895 673 200

www.compasstheatre.co.uk

Aladdin

Thursday, December 12 until Sunday, December 29

Featuring the voice of veteran BBC radio presenter Tony Blackburn as The Genie, the Compass is pulling out all the stops to deliver a great-value, top-notch pantomime, with plenty of songs, laughter and magical entertainment for all the family.

The show is about two hours long, including an interval.

Groups discounts are available, but cannot be claimed online – call the box office, or email compasstheatre@hillingdongrid.org.

Show times vary – see website for details. Tickets £14.50, under-16s £10 (excluding booking fee)

WINSTON CHURCHILL THEATRE Pinn Way, Ruislip, HA4 7QL

Box office: 01895 678 800

www.compasstheatre.co.uk

A Night Before Christmas

Saturday, December 7

After two hugely successful years in a row at Compass Theatre, Big Wooden Horse is bringing its hit play to Winston Churchill Theatre for the first time.

It’s the night before Christmas and a young girl called Emily waits excitedly for morning. In the corner of the same room, a young mouse called Eddie cannot understand why only the human beings can celebrate and get presents. So he sets off in search of Father Christmas, to find out for himself.

Suitable for families and children aged three to seven. Tickets may be available on the door, but advance booking is advised.

11am and 1pm. All tickets £7.50

The Snow Queen

Thursday, January 16 until Sunday, January 19 2014

The Argosy Players are back this year with a show featuring a host of classic characters, beautiful costumes, dazzling scenery and spectacular effects, all combining for a kaleidoscope of comedy, music and fun.

See www.argosyplayers.org.uk .

7.30pm Thursday-Saturday, 12.30pm and 4pm Saturday, noon and 3.30pm Sunday. Tickets £12.50, under-16s/seniors £10, Thursday preview £8

THEATRE ROYAL WINDSOR Thames Street, SL4 1PS

Box office: 01753 853 888

www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk

Aladdin

Wednesday, December 4 until Sunday, January 5, 2014

Stars former Blue Peter presenter Peter Duncan in the role of Abanazer, celebrity chef and former I’m a Celebrity… contestant Rosemary Shrager as The Empress, and Britain’s Got Talent 2010 runners up, Twist N Pulse, as The Chinese Policemen.

Demand for tickets for this magic carpet ride is high.

Show times vary – see website for details. Tickets £13-£33

RICHMOND THEATRE

The Green, Richmond, TW9 1QJ

Box office: 0844 871 7651

www.richmondtheatre.net

Peter Pan

Friday, December 6 until Sunday, January 12, 2014

Join Peter Pan, Wendy and the Lost Boys in Never Never Land as they hit the high seas and take on pirates, and enter a fairytale world that will captivate both the young and the young at heart.

Legendary TV and film actor Henry Winkler OBE, best known as The Fonz in US TV series Happy Days, will be the bad guy everyone loves to hate as he takes on the role of the dastardly Captain Hook – and not for the first time.

Winkler says: “Captain Hook, with his sword fighting, singing off key, and a crew that couldn’t sail through a bathtub, is so much fun to play.

“I am filled to the brim with dastardly anticipation not only to be in Richmond’s 114-year-old theatre, but also in pantomime at Christmas time.”

Also starring Jeremy Legat as Peter and Victoria Tyrrell as Wendy.

WATFORD PALACE THEATRE Clarendon Road, Watford, WD17 1JZ.

Box office: 01923 225 671

www.watfordtheatre.co.uk

Robin Hood

Friday, December 6 until Saturday, December 28

The Sheriff of Nottingham wants to cancel Christmas. But never fear, for Robin Hood is on the case.

A first-rate production with live musicians, plenty of song and dance, and a healthy dose of slapstick comedy.

Show times vary – see website for details.

Tickets £18-£22.50, concessions £15.50-£20.50