Will it or won’t it be possible to see a pantomime locally this year? Oh yes it will, but you will need to be quick.

Until December 24 a cast including Stevi Ritchie, Matt Pagan, Robbie Dee, Holly Neaves, and Andrew Fleming will be performing Beauty and The Beast at The Sands Centre, Carlisle.

Carlisle lad and Britain’s Got Talent winner – Collabro’s Matt Pagan plays the Prince/Beast, CFM Radio’s Robbie Dee is Mrs Potts and impressionist, Andrew Fleming is Silly Billy.

This year’s production is a specially designed 75-minute, socially-distanced, festive treat for all the family, with a reduced capacity and no interval to minimise crowding.

The pantomime tells the story of Belle who longs for romance and adventure, a bad-mannered prince who is transformed into a beast to teach him a lesson and a good fairy who makes both their dreams come true.

Tickets are £18 and there are only a very limited number available. Check at The Sands Centre website: thesandscentre.co.uk

Originally they had advertised Cinderella as the 2020 Christmas production, but, due to the scale of the cast and company that a production of Cinderella requires, they made the decision to reschedule that performance until 2021.

Over to West Cumbria now, where magic, illusion, juggling, unicycling and much more is coming to the Theatre Royal in Workington.

Flip’s Magic and Circus show has proved to be so popular that the Theatre Royal has added an extra date to the event.

The show will now run on December 28, 29 and 30, with shows at 2pm and 5pm on all three days.

The running time is approx 75 minutes, with no interval, and seats are of limited capacity due to social distancing. The family show will appeal to all ages.

Flip, from Flip’s Magic and Circus show said: “We are bringing the show to Workington to provide much-needed laughter for children and families at an affordable price.

“With the lack of pantomimes going ahead, Flip’s Christmas Magic and Circus Family Show is the perfect alternative.”

The theatre will be following all current government guidelines to ensure a safe show.

Flip’s Christmas Magic and Circus Family Show is £6 per ticket.

Tickets are purchased online at www.theatre-royal-Workington.co.uk

Running until January 3, the Carnegie Arts Theatre and Arts Centre will be showing The Very Hungry Caterpillar Christmas Show.

This brand new production brings the show to the UK for the first time. It was filmed in front of a live audience in Hertford in December and is now available to watch on demand at the Carnegie’s website: Carnegietheatre.co.uk

The show is a recreation of Eric Carle’s imaginative stories and features a menagerie of puppets that faithfully adapts four of Eric’s books for the stage.

Although this is a national production, Carnegie Arts Theatre will receive a portion of ticket sales for this event.

Whitehaven’s Rosehill Theatre will continue showing its selection of films over the festive season.

On December 27 at 11am they will show the Secret Garden (PG).

When Mary Lennox’s parents suddenly die, she is sent to live with her uncle, Archibald Craven, on his remote country estate deep in the Yorkshire moors. While exploring, she discovers a hidden magical garden. Tickets are £5 plus booking fee.

Later that day at 3pm they have the Bolshoi Ballet – The Nutcracker, which takes place on Christmas Eve. The mysterious Drosselmeyer brings a Nutcracker doll as a gift for his goddaughter Marie. At midnight, the doll comes to life and finds himself in a battle against the Mouse King. Tickets are £12 or £6 if under 26 – plus booking fee. Book at their website: rosehilltheatre.co.uk

The Rosehill also has a free festive video available on its website. Rosehill On The Road includes singer Anna Tilbrook, who led the singers in this special performance, which took place in the impressive surroundings of St Mary’s Church in Hendon, London.

Simon Weir of Classical Media directed the filming and editing team, with everyone adhering to current safety guidelines.

There is even a downloadable song sheet available too.