Love them or suffer them for the sake of family harmony, there is no escaping the fact that pantomime is one of the great post-Christmas traditions. And it also gives youngsters a great introduction to the world of live theatre.

If the new year wouldn't be the same without an annual visit to the pantomime for you and your family there are plenty to choose from in and around Bath over the coming weeks.

The big one is of course Sleeping Beauty at the Theatre Royal Bath which this year stars Liza Goddard and Gemma Bissix from EastEnders as the Good and Bad Fairies along with Jon Monie, Tom Owen and Chris Harris.

This is a great traditional show for all the family and might easily turn someone who thinks they are not a big panto fan into a pantomime junkie.

Sleeping Beauty runs until Saturday, January 24.

Tickets and times on 01225 448844.

Fast becoming a traditional panto favourite in Bath is the annual offering from Bath Drama at the Rondo in Larkhall.

This year Chris Lane has written a new version of the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs story which takes place from next week.

This is a traditional panto but this year by a new author for Bath Drama. Still, you will see lots of familiar faces on stage.

It's a family show with plenty of romance, sorcery, slapstick, pathos and comedy plus seven dwarfs, two queens, a dame and even a pantomime horse.

This year's director is Sue le Page and the show stars Andrew Hill as the dame.

Tickets cost £9 and £6 (concessions) which are available from the Bath Festivals Trust box office, Abbey Green, telephone 01225 463362, and may also be available on the door.

The show will be performed at 7.30pm from Wednesday, January 13 to Saturday, January 16, and at 2.30pm on the Saturday and the Sunday.

If you have been following Graham Avent's occasional columns on the Guide's theatre pages you will know all about the forthcoming production of Puss in Boots which is being performed by Encore Northenders in the village from January 28.

This is no ordinary village panto but a hugely successful annual venture masterminded by Greg Vere who has been a key figure in local theatre for several decades.

For more information and tickets visit www.encorenorthenders.com or call 01225 812202.

Up at Odd Down the St Philips and St James Drama Group is performing Dick Whittington From Wednesday, January 20 until Saturday, January 23 with performances at 7.30pm and a matinee on Saturday at 2.30pm.

Tickets from the church office on 01225 835228.

Not a pantomime but nevertheless a show for all the family is Around the World in 80 Days playing at the egg theatre in Bath until January 16.

The show is adapted from the Jules Verne novel and is suitable for ages six to adults.

Tickets cost £15.50 for adults and £9.50 for children and students on 01225 448844.

WIN THEATRE ROYAL TICKETS

This week we are offering readers the chance to win one family ticket (for two adults and two children or one adult and three children to see Sleeping Beauty on Tuesday January 19 at 7pm. Just answer the question, put your answer on a postcard with your name and daytime telephone number and send it to Theatre Royal Panto Competition, The Guide, The Bath Chronicle, Westpoint, James Street West, Bath BA1 2DA. The first correct answer out of the hat first thing on Monday will get the tickets.

The question is: who plays the Bad Fairy in Sleeping Beauty?