Look at the star-studded pantos poised for Chesterfield, Buxton and Derby stages

Production teams and actors are pulling out the stops to entertain young and old.

Panto season is upon us - oh yes it is! - with star-studded casts, colourful Dames and corny jokes galore.

Beauty and the Beast at Chesterfield's 1435 Theatre, Sleeping Beauty at Buxton Opera House and Snow White at Derby Arena, pictured anti-clockwise from right. | Derbyshire Times/submitted/Robert Day

placeholder image — Beauty and the Beast at Chesterfield's 1435 Theatre, Sleeping Beauty at Buxton Opera House and Snow White at Derby Arena, pictured anti-clockwise from right. | Derbyshire Times/submitted/Robert Day

For the youngest members of the family, a visit to the panto is probably their first experience of going to the theatre. So production teams and actors are pulling out the stops to make sure young and old are thoroughly entertained.

A sparkling line-up of shows including Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty and Snow White will be presented in theatres around Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Here is everything you need to know:

Chesterfield 1435 Theatre - Beauty and the Beast, December 4, 2026-January 3, 2027

Jake Canuso (cast as Gaston), second left back row, with Andrew J. Carter (Beast), Rhian Lynch (Belle), Olivia Chandler (The Fool), Harry Polden (Idle Jacques), Rob Leetham (Marcel), Matthew Siveter (Dame Betty Bon Bon), pictured anti-clockwise. | Derbyshire TImes/Brian Eyre

Jake Canuso, best known as Matteo from the TV sitcom Benidorm, stars as Gaston who is determined to win the heart of the most beautiful woman in the village. Morgan Brind from the panto’s production company Little Wolf Production has hinted that Gaston will be running a tanning lounge in the panto!

Beauty and the Beast will be the first show since the Chesterfield theatre was renovated and rebranded.

BUY HERE: Tickets from £25, book at www.chesterfieldtheatres.co.uk

Buxton Opera House - Sleeping Beauty, December 4, 2026-January 2, 2027

Catherine Pugh, James Holmes, Georgia Gallagher, Ross Clifton and Jamie Davis-Fletcher, left to right, in Sleeping Beauty at Buxton Opera House. | Submitted

James Holmes is back for his 11th season of playing the Dame in Buxton’s panto. He is joined by Georgia Gallagher (princess), Ross Clifton (prince) and Catherine Pugh (villain).

This production of Sleeping Beauty is written and directed by Paul Kerryson.

BUY HERE: Tickets from £15, book at www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk

Derby Arena - Snow White, December 4-31, 2026

Katie Payne (WIcked Queen), Morgan Brind (Dame), Evie Pickerill (Snow White), Kristian Cunningham and Roddy Peters in Snow White at Derby Arena. | Robert Day

CBeebies presenter Evie Pickerill stars as Snow White, alongside award-winning panto dame Morgan Brind and West End singer Katie Payne as the Wicked Queen.

This is the first time that Snow White has been staged in Derby since 2008.

BUY HERE: Tickets from £38, book at https://www.derbylive.co.uk/whats-on/snow-white

Sheffield Lyceum Theatre - Cinderella, November 28, 2026 to January 3, 2027.

RIta Simons, Ore Oduba, Andy Day and Damian Williams are among the cast of Cinderella at Sheffield Lyceum Theatre. | Submitted

Strictly Come Dancing champion Ore Oduba, former EastEnders and Hollyoaks actress Rita Simons and CBeebies star Andy Day are the famous faces starring in Cinderella.

Damian Williams returns to Sheffield for his 19th season of playing the Dame.

BUY HERE: Tickets from £45.50, book at https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/book/instance/922620

Mansfield Palace Theatre - Cinderella, November 21, 2026 to January 3, 2027

Rosie Bentham (Cinderella) with Jamie Morris and Tarot Joseph (Ugly Sisters) in CInderella at Mansfield Palace Theatre. | Elizabeth Orridge Photography

Rosie Bentham, best known for playing Gabby Thomas in TV soap Emmerdale, makes her panto debut in Mansfield where she stars as Cinderella.

Jamie Morris and Tarot Joseph are cast as the Ugly Sisters, Niamh Hendron as the Fairy Godmother and Joseph Dockree as Prince Charming.

BUY HERE: Tickets £20, book at https://www.mansfield.gov.uk/palacetheatre/events/event/14/cinderella

Nottingham Theatre Royal - Jack and the Beanstalk, November 28, 2026 to January 3, 2027

Rob Rinder, Samantha Womack and Mia Kobayashi in Jack and the Beanstalk at Nottingham Theatre Royal. | Whitefoot Photography

Television broadcaster Rob Rinder plays The Spirit of the Beans and former EastEnders actress Samantha Womack is cast as Mrs Blunderbore in Jack and the Beanstalk.

Acclaimed cabaret performer Mary Mac takes the role of Dame Trot, TV actor Neil Hurst is cast as Simon Trot, musical theatre stars Matthew Croke plays Jack and Mia Kobayashi plays Princess Jill.

BUY HERE: Tickets from £18, go to www.trch.co.uk