In the spotlight

• Rumpelstiltskin: Didcot Phoenix Drama Group (Fri 18 Jan to Sat 19 Jan).
• Stiffed at the Speakeasy: Mortimer Dramatic Society (Fri 18 Jan to Sat 19 Jan).
• Puss in Boots: Shinfield Players (Fri 18 Jan to Sun 20 Jan).
• Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves: Sinodun Players (Fri 18 Jan to Sat 2 Feb).
• Grease: Corn Exchange (Thu 24 Jan to Sat 26 Jan).
• Sinbad and the Golden Goddess: Triangle Players (Thu 24 Jan to Sat 26 Jan).
• Stiffed at the Speakeasy: Mortimer Dramatic Society (Fri 25 Jan to Sat 26 Jan).
• Treasure Island: Silchester Players (Fri 25 Jan to Sat 26 Jan).
• Puss in Boots: Shinfield Players (Fri 25 Jan to Sun 27 Jan).
• Rumpelstiltskin: Didcot Phoenix Drama Group (Sat 26 Jan).
• Wishing on a Star: Faringdon Dramatic Society (Sat 26 Jan to Sun 27 Jan).

See What's on for a list of everything.

Didcot Phoenix Drama Group's panto is Rumplestiltskin in Didcot and Harwell between 18th and 26th January. Marie will surely win the heart of the King as she has a talent of spinning straw into gold... or does she have help from the evil little goblin, Rumpelstiltskin? Join Phoenix for a veritable feast of songs, slapstick and terrible jokes to cheer up a dreary January day!

Mortimer Dramatic Society's next production is Stiffed at the Speakeasy between 18th and 26th January - an interactive Murder Mystery. During our three course Italian dinner a cast of characters will reveal enough evidence to enable you to, hopefully, deduce ‘Whodunit’. The action is set in a 1920’s New York speakeasy and is a ‘Gangsters and Molls’ night. You are encouraged to come dressed appropriately.

Wallingford Corn Exchange's panto by Sinodun Players is Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves from 18th January to 2nd February. Featuring funny Fatima Fandango, the handsome Prince and beautiful Princess, brave Ali Baba, clever Marjana, the regal Grand Vizier, awful Asbad and his 40 Thieves (BOO!), sinister Alsatia (hiss!), crafty Caterina (hurrah!) and cute Colin the Camel (ah!), it's not to be missed.

Silchester Players' next production is Treasure Island between 25th January and 2nd February. Splice the main brace, weigh anchor and set sail to find the treasure of Captain Flint. Join Jim Hawkins and the crew as they seek to outwit Long John Silver and the pirates who are out to get their hands on the loot. This family show is packed with audience interaction, a parrot and lots of laughs and thrills.

Triangle Players' panto Sinbad and the Golden Goddess is on in Tilehurst between 24th January and 2nd February. Sinbad the Sailor is a fictional mariner. In the course of seven voyages, he has fantastic adventures in magical realms, encountering monsters and witnessing supernatural phenomena. This pantomime is a local, Tilehurst take on one of his adventures, suitable for all the family.

Faringdon Dramatic Society's next production is Wishing on a Star between 26th January and 2nd February. In an ancient Kingdom, a star falls to earth once in a hundred years to take their rightful place on the throne. This time, the star has fallen in the wrong place and everyone wants to find her, but who will get to her first? A sparkling new panto, full of twists and turns, and with more than a hint of magic!

Russell Players' panto in Swallowfield is Snow White and the Magnificent Seven between 1st and 9th February. Can Snow White and her friends survive the treacherous and evil schemes of her wicked and manipulative stepmother? Join us and we’ll take you on an adventure to the depths of the Wild West. Add some mischievous cacti to the mix and you get a recipe for an enjoyable family show.

KATS' production of Spamalot is from 21st to 23rd February in Thatcham. It's a riotous comedy full of misfit knights, killer rabbits, dancing nuns and ferocious Frenchmen. Join King Arthur as he travels with his hapless Knights of the Round Table on a divine mission to locate the elusive Holy Grail – with uproarious consequences.