CHRISTMAS lights have been switched on in cities, towns and villages throughout the country and that means not only is the countdown to the big day well underway but also for the pantomime season.

Many families will be heading off in the next couple of weeks to see major professional productions in places such as Birmingham and Bristol, or more locally in Worcester, Malvern and Tewkesbury, while others will just pop down the road to see friends and relatives - the amateurs - in action at the local village hall.

Malvern’s pantomime at the Festival Theatre this year is Peter Pan and it promises to be a spectacular production.

Adapted from the original story by JM Barrie, it stars Mark Moraghan as loveable baddie Captain Hook. Mark is famous as Owen Davies from Holby City and more recently as Adrian Mortimer in ITV’s Coronation Street. Starring alongside Mark will be Balamory’s PC Plum Andrew Agnew and Hannah-Jane Fox from CBBC’s Millie Inbetween. Jessica Punch will take the title role and Hook’s pirate crew will include the hilarious comedy acrobats The Nitwits.

This tale of the boy who wouldn’t grow up is one of the most famous childhood stories of all time and this panto promises to provide an unforgettable, magical experience for all the family.

The show, with a full supporting cast, including children from the local dance school, features lavish sets and costumes and Peter really can fly!

The pantomime is once again produced by UK Productions Ltd. So with a sprinkling of some fairy dust, and happy thoughts, a magical journey to Neverland is about to happen!

Peter Pan opens at the Festival Theatre on Thursday, December 10 and runs until January 3, 2016. Tickets start from £10.64 and are available from the box office on 01684 892277 or online at malvern-theatres.co.uk.