The pantomime season officially starts for Bath Rugby on Sunday when the club stages its first festive production, Aladdin, at the Pavilion. And there should be no shortage of audience participation – not if Bath's recent home games have been anything to go by, anyway.

Bath fans have been practising their theatrical jeers and boos for quite some time.

The first impromptu heckle took place at The Rec back in October when Bath fluffed their lines after the interval against a touring Newcastle troupe.

The volume was turned up last weekend when a Wishy Washy Bath were sent to a watery grave by London Irish after again appearing under rehearsed.

More hissing looks likely now after Bath's international promoter sounded the Bell to whip the audience into a frenzy.

Sadly for Steve Meehan and Bath, there are no magic lamps to rub at The Rec for the moment. Butch James' knee has been getting plenty of rubs for some months now – and some might say the South African's patella has a certain World Cup-winning magic about it – but it's currently on the blink.

And where there are no magic lamps there are no genies, although there's always Andrew Brownsword's cheque book – a device that can yield similar results.

It's a closely guarded secret as to which Bath players will be taking to the panto stage on Sunday, although it's no secret that fans are hoping there will be no dress rehearsal in Northampton on Saturday.

In the absence of Justin Harrison to play the panto villain, perhaps it will fall to Danny Grewcock to get back to his old tricks and play the bad guy. A grisly display of guts and muscle is exactly what Bath Rugby need to stop the cast looking like they're just going through the motions each week.

Propping up the cast as the Ugly Sisters will surely be that veteran comedy duo the DBs – David Barnes and Duncan Bell – while Sleeping Beauty will be played by Nick Abendanon (assuming he's not caught napping again like a Lamb to the slaughter).

Costumes for the occasion will be provided by svelte loosehead Aaron Jarvis, sponsored as he is – rather incongruously for a 19st 3lb prop – by the Frock Shop.

Every pantomime has a happy ending – a reconciliation or a return to the promised land. And there are normally plenty of giggles along the way as well as boos.

But so far the pantomime that is Bath's season has been a glut of boos with next to no giggles.

The cast must be on notice that it's time to put in some crowd-pleasing performances. Otherwise it really could be curtains.

The doors at the Pavilion will open at 12 noon on Sunday, December 6 and the panto will start at 12.30pm.

Tickets cost £20 for one adult and one child or £35 for a family of four. Extra children's tickets will be charged at £10 each. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Call 01225 325200.