Aladdin

Connaught Theatre, Union Place, Worthing, Friday, December 5, to Sunday, January 4, various times, from £12, 01903 206206 S Club 7’s Jon Lee is heading up the cast in the first of two Worthing Christmas shows for 2014.

He will be taking a magic carpet ride in the title role of Aladdin from tonight, fresh from a West End appearance as Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys.

The cast also features Heart breakfast presenters Tom and Jack and Britain’s Got Talent opera duo Kieran, pictured right, and Sarah as the Genie Of The Lamp and Slave Of The Ring.

The Snow Queen

New Venture Theatre, Bedford Place, Brighton, Friday, December 5, to Saturday, December 13, 7.45pm (not Sun/Mon), 2.30pm Sun, from £8, 01273 746118 Director Andrew Allen updates Hans Christian Anderson’s classic snowbound story for the 21st century.

Gerda journeys across the seasons to save her best friend Kai from the clutches of the beautiful Snow Queen.

Sleeping Beauty

Emporium, London Road, Brighton, Friday, December 5, to Saturday, January 17, various times, £12, emporiumbrighton.com As well as producing Brighton’s only professional family pantomime this year, Emporium is running a late-night adults only version on Thursday, December 18.

Starting with previews tonight and tomorrow, the seven-week run of the cursed princess doomed to sleep until her prince comes to wake her will also feature a Pay What You Can night on Tuesday, December 9, and regular schools performances during term time from 11am.

Wind In The Willows

Brighton Little Theatre, Clarence Gardens, Brighton, Saturday, December 6, to Saturday, December 13, 7.45pm (not Sun), 2.30pm matinees Sat and Sun, £9/£7.50, 08448 880432 Summer may be a distant memory now, but Alan Bennett’s adaptation of Kenneth Grahame’s classic riverside tale should recreate the joys of simply messing about in boats in the sun.

Director Harry Atkinson will be telling the story of Badger, Mole, Ratty and the motor-loving Mr Toad with music from Jeremy Sams.

Season’s Greetings

The Barn, Southwick Street, Southwick, Wednesday, December 10, to Saturday, December 13, 7.45pm, from £11, 01273 597094 Alan Ayckbourn's seasonal play creates the family Christmas from hell, as a family of self-absorbed and needy child-like adults come together for the holidays.

Graham Till directs this production by the Wick Theatre Company.

Cinderella

The Capitol, North Street, Horsham, Thursday, December 11, to Sunday, January 4, various times, £19/£17, 01403 750220 Any Dream Will Do star Keith Jack heads up the cast in one of the greatest pantomimes of them all.

He is joined by celebrity chef and I’m A Celebrity contestant Rosemary Shrager as the Fairy Godmother, and Olly Pyke from CBBC’s Trapped as Dandini, in the tale of a lowly scullery maid who longs to dance with her Prince Charming.

Beauty And The Beast Devonshire Park Theatre, Compton Street, Eastbourne, Friday, December 12, to Sunday, January 11, various times, from £11, 01323 412000 Hollyoaks favourite turned West End star Carley Stenson plays the wicked witch Malevolent in this tale of finding love where you least expect it.

The double act of Martyn Knight and Tucker are back as Dame Derriere and Potty Pierre, with Emily Bull as Belle.

Sleeping Beauty The Hawth, Hawth Avenue, Crawley, Friday, December 12, to Sunday, January 4, various times, from £15, 01293 553636 A TV presenter, impressionist, CBeebies star, former Eurovision entrant and fire-breathing dragon are coming together to tell the story of the cursed princess this year.

Stephen Mulhern leads a cast which includes Hilary O’Neil, Cat Sandion, Josh James and Ugly Sisters Ian Smith and Michael Batchelor.

Aladdin White Rock Theatre, White Rock Road, Hastings, Friday, December 12, to Sunday, December 28, various times, from £16/£14, 01424 462288 Pineapple Dance Studios’ breakout star and Dancing On Ice judge Louie Spence plays the Slave Of The Ring in White Rock’s Arabian-themed panto.

Jack Frost’s Frozen Christmas Pavilion Theatre, Marine Parade, Worthing, Friday, December 12, to Thursday, January 1, various times, from £12.60, 01903 206206 The sequel to last year’s Santa Claus – The Musical stars X Factor finalist Marcus Collins and CBeebies’s Richard David-Caine as Jack Frost.

Santa and his elves are preparing for Christmas, but unknown to them Jack Frost has thawed out after 20 years in the ice and is plotting his revenge.