Whether it is the professionals gracing the stage of Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre or the talented amateurs of the Stourbridge Pantomime Company, the timeless tales are as much a part of Christmas as the dreadful jumpers and sprouts.

The Grand Theatre has been promoting this year's production of Sleeping Beauty, starring comedian Joe Pasquale as Muddles the jester, ever since Keith Harris and Orville packed up and left after 2012's Jack and the Beanstalk production.

Sleepy Beauty runs from Saturday until January 8.

The fairy tale of the girl who can't get out of bed (otherwise known as reality for every parent of teenagers) is also the panto of choice at Stafford's Gatehouse Theatre from December 13 to January 11.

There, however, the show has a rock and roll twist, with music performed live on stage from a cast of performers.

Emma Hogan, from the theatre, said: "The panto seems more popular than ever. We are well ahead of ticket sales from where we were last year, probably because it's always an important event for families at this time of the year."

Birmingham's Hippodrome has Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, running from December 19 to February 2.

John Partridge, also known as Christian from EastEnders, is playing the prince while style guru Gok Wan is appearing as the 'man in the mirror'.

And when it comes to being able to say who is the fairest of them all, the How To Look Good Naked presenter is probably a pretty good judge.

Another incarnation of Snow White will be at the Lichfield Garrick from December 5 to January 5.

But instead of dwarf actors the producers are using puppets.

Aladdin will be on at the Prince of Wales Theatre in Cannock with Keith de Winter returning as Widow Twankey and Darren John Langford, of Hollyoaks fame, as the Emperor of China. It is on from December 22 to 30.

Sleeping Beauty, Wolverhampton

Final rehearsals are now taking place at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre ahead of the launch of Sleeping Beauty this weekend.

The show opens on Saturday and will continue until January 18.

Comedian and former King of the I'm a Celebrity jungle Joe Pasquale is starring as Muddles and will be joined by former Coronation Street star Lucy Evans as Princess Beauty. International cabaret artist and variety star Ceri Dupree will showcase a colourful array of frocks as he takes on the role of Queen Passionella.

More than 43,000 tickets have already been snapped up for Sleeping Beauty.

A total of 59,000 people went to see last year's offering of Jack and the Beanstalk during its six week run. Bosses at the Lichfield Street theatre say they hope it will become the biggest pantomime there yet.

Stars of the show have been out and about in the Midlands this week in between rehearsals to help promote the show. It runs from Saturday, December 7-Saturday January 18. Tickets: prices range from £16.50- £26.50. Concessions available. Contact: 01902 429212 or www.grandtheatre.info

Aladdin, Cannock

This show will see a number of well-known names tread the boards at Prince of Wales Theatre, Cannock.

The professional cast will be headed up by Keith De Winter as Widow Twankey, who has been in numerous pantos across the country. It will also star Darren John Langford, who played the part of Spencer Grey in Hollyoaks.

Also getting involved in the show will be 11 youngsters who attend the Rugeley-based Studio 5 Stage School. It runs from Sunday, December 22 to Monday, December 30. Tickets: Adults £13.50, Concessions £11.50. Call 01543 578762 or visit www.wlct.org

Snow White, Lichfield

The finishing touches are being made as traditional panto with audience participation returns to The Garrick Theatre with Midlands Today newsreader Joanne Malin starring as Queen Evilene.

The Lichfield theatre is celebrating 10 years of panto, since the centre opened back in 2003.

It is produced completely in-house, with no touring company in sight, and features a professional cast.

Actors were auditioned in London earlier in the year, in time for rehearsals to begin in mid-November.

Children from local dance schools, including Bojangles in the city, and a live band will feature to accompanying the main cast.

The show runs from Friday, December 6 - Sunday, January 5.

Tickets: Adults £22.50 or £20, Children £13.50 or £12.50. Contact: 01543 412121 or www.lichfieldgarrick.com

Snow White, Birmingham

He's used to telling us how to look good naked, but Gok Wan will swap fashion for panto fun when he stars in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at The Hippodrome.

The How To Look Good Naked plays the Man in the Mirror, and stars alongside veteran performer and EastEnders actor John Partridge, who is best known for playing Christian in the BBC soap, as Prince Charming.

The star-studded cast includes television and film legend Stephanie Beacham, who appeared in Dynasty, and who will take to the stage as The Wicked Queen. Gary Wilmot will also star in the show in his first appearance as a panto dame.

Danielle Hope, aged 21, who won the BBC's talent show Over the Rainbow, will be starring as Snow White.

No actual dwarfs will be appearing in the show though, with the magnificent seven being played by physical theatre actors wearing special costumes to make them look small. The production runs from Thursday, December 19 to Sunday, February 2.

Ticket prices range from £12 to £24.50

For further details, contact 0844 338 5000 or visit www.birminghamhippodrome.com

Mother Goose, Dudley

Dudley Little Theatre is performing a Christmas show set in the Book of Rhymes.

Taking place at Netherton Arts Centre, it is described as follows: "Once upon a time in the Land of Nursery Rhymes things were calm and sunny. So calm and sunny in fact that the characters who live in the Book of Rhymes were bored. So Mother Goose hatch-ed a plan, a big adventure where each boy and girl would save the Golden Goose from an evil giant."

The Christmas tale, directed by Andrew Rock, is for all ages.

It runs from Wednesday, December 4 to Saturday, December 7. Ticket prices are: Adults £7, concessions £6. Call 01384 812812 or visit www.dudleylittletheatre.org

Sleeping Beauty, Kidderminster

The classic tale is being given a reworking by Limelight Musicals with special surprises.

Magic, mayhem and bundles of laughs are sure to liven up the festive period at this Rose Theatre panto. Audiences will be able to meet an array of characters, both old and new.

But above all there will be the chance to watch good battle against evil to ensure that true love wins the day.

It is billed as a a perfect end to the Christmas season and a fabulous way to begin the New Year.

It runs from: Monday, December 30-Saturday, January 4. Tickets: £12.50. Contact: 01562 743 745 or www.rosetheatre.co.uk

Jack and Beanstalk, Oldbury

With 75 years of pantomimes and performances under their belt, Oldbury Rep's production of Jack and the Beanstalk promises to be a giant of a family panto for the festive season.

This production of the well known fairytale has been written by Alan Wood, the group's longest serving member.

The group celebrated its 75th anniversary this year and has performed more than 400 shows over the years.

This is the fifth time the theatre has put on Jack and the Beanstalk since their first production in 1978.

It runs from Friday, January 10, to Saturday, January 18.

Tickets: Adults £10, concessions £9. Call 0121 552 2761or visit www.oldburyrep.org

Sleeping Beauty, Stafford

Audiences will be rocking and a rolling throughout this panto, which once again promises to be a musical feast for families.

Rehearsals have been under way for months to ensure excellence.

Paulette Randall, associate director for the Olympic opening ceremony in London, has been involved in producing the panto at The Gatehouse Theatre. All the music will be played by the actors live on stage, who will also be singing and dancing throughout.

It runs from: Friday, December 13, to Saturday, January 11. Tickets: Adults £17.50, Concessions £13.50, Family Ticket £54. Contact: 01785 254 653 or look at www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk

Mother Goose, Stourbridge

The hugely-successful Stourbridge Pantomime Company are once again treading the boards in a seasonal favourite.

The group, which has been going since 1969, holding a show every year, will present classic panto Mother Goose at Stourbridge Town Hall. It follows a successful production of Cinderella last year. The group has already received numerous awards for its pantos and in 2011, it won the best pantomime in the Black Country at the national Operatic and Dramatic Association West Midlands awards ceremony. It runs from January 18-January 25. Tickets: Adults £13, Concessions £9. Contact: 01384 836963 or www.stourbridgepanto.co.uk

Aladdin, Telford

After a short run of rehearsals, this classic show at Oakengates Theatre will see Asa Elliott, who has appeared as himself in the ITV sitcom Benidorm, star as Aladdin.

Assisting the lead will be comedian Phil Butler, who is a dab hand at stand-up and will make sure the audience is involved with the gags as Wishy Washy. The community will also get in on the act, as all the dancers in the show are from the area, after being chosen from auditions in September. It runs from Thursday, December 12, to Saturday, January 4. Tickets from £13.50. Call 01952 382382 or visit www.theplacetelford.com