In Glasgow, the Tron theatre's Mother Bruce is another irreverent take on a classic tale following previous Christmas shows Wullie Whittington and Eeting Beauty.

There's not a goose in sight as Gordon Dougall and Fletcher Mathers' tale centres on a spider (George Drennan) which spins golden threads.
Be warned — audience participation is mandatory, and very loud.
The show runs until January 4 and tickets are from £7 to £16.50 — book on 552 4267.

The Snow Queen will see The Arches transformed into a winter wonderland of special effects, puppetry and live music for Megan Barker's take on the Hans Christian Andersen tale.

It's on until January 4 (except Mondays and January 1) and tickets cost £8 or £4 concessions. Box office 565 1000.

Meanwhile we're not in Kansas any more as the Pavillion relocates Frank Baum's tale to Govan as The Wizard of Never Woz.

The all-star cast includes Dean Park, Des McLean, Joyce Falconer, Cat Harvey — and Stephen Purdon as Strawsuit Bob.

It continues until January 24. Tickets are between £10 and £17.50, call 332 1846.

A more traditional version of the tale is on at the Citizen's, where The Wizard of Oz runs until January 3. Tickets priced £6 to £17, book on 429 0022.

Closer to home, there's a run of Beauty and the Beast, at Paisley Arts Centre. An all-ages production, it stars David Wallace and Alan Orr. But be wquick - it's for five nights only, from 30th December - 3rd January. Tickets and details on 0141 887 1010.]#

At Glasgow's King's, Cinderella stars Gerard Kelly and Karen Dunbar with a joke-packed script from writer Bob Black.

It runs until January 11 and tickets range from £6 to £24.50 — book on 0870 060 6648.

And if you'd rather relax and watch the professionals than sing and dance along, the fairytale theme continues over at the Theatre Royal where Scottish Ballet's Sleeping Beauty enjoysa second festive run.

It closes on Saturday (December 27) and tickets cost from £9 and £27 on 0870 060 6647.

The Extra's David Oliver went to the King's production of Cinderella to see if his foot would fit the all-important slipper, or if he'd end up as the post-midnight pumpkin.

"I'M six foot four and if I stand up to dance, Mr Kelly, there'll be a total stage eclipse for all the wee girls sitting behind me, so I'll not do your Cinderella dance." That's what I thought to myself during Buttons' final audience interaction.

But aside from being pointed and tutted at by those around me, the pantomime was enjoyable. Though after slouching for nearly two and a half hours, jumping to my feet was a bit of a struggle — even if I had intended to.

Andy Gray as Baron Hardup, had me howling. However, Karen Dunbar's appearance as the Fairy Godmother's alter ego — the wicked stepmother — reminded me of the nostril-flaring dirty old lady of Chewin' the Fat. Still, the children didn't notice (and shouldn't have) — and they loved it.

I'm no fan of slapstick, yet I was laughing, harder still at the subtle inferences. Was Cinderella really going to leave the track-suited panto neds and live happily ever after in Chateau-Lait? You tell me.

Boxes for being clever, camp and pleasantly vulgar were all ticked and there wasn't a grumpy face in the house by the end — not even on the non-dancing big guy in row G.