Aladdin
Allan Stewart, Andy Gray and Grant Stott are veterans of the pantomime game: they last performed Aladdin a decade ago, and they have become 'the dream team' for Edinburgh’s King's Theatre since 2010 when they teamed up for Jack and The Beanstalk. Old as the trio might be, however, they are youngsters compared to the story – adapted from the more racy One Thousand And One Nights Arabic folktale collection, the story has been a pantomime favourite for over two centuries.

Like the King's in Glasgow, Aladdin harks back to the classic panto model, with spectacle and familiar humour aimed at all the family – alongside suitably suggestive asides for adults.

King's Theatre, Edinburgh, Sat 29 Nov–Sun 18 Jan.

Scotch and Soda
With live music in a gypsy style from The Crusty Suitcase Band, and intimate acrobatic displays reaching to the Spiegeltent’s roof, Scotch And Soda take traditional circus action and places it in a dusty bar to conjure a louche atmosphere. S&S hail from Australia, a country that seems to have conquered the world with its re-invention of acrobatics as a way to tell stories without losing the sense of awe inspired by some jaw-dropping stunts. From bottles of wine to bicycles, this company can use anything as a prop for impressive displays of physical dexterity.

St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, Fri 21 Nov–Sun 21 Dec.

Wicked
A musical prequel to The Wizard of Oz, the gravity-defying Wicked traverses the roads taken by the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch in reaching their respective destinies. Partially putting the record straight for the Wicked Witch, and referencing the iconic characters of the famous film, Wicked promises a touring version that retains the original West End show’s glamour. A more sophisticated story runs beneath its musical numbers, making Wicked an intelligent alternative to both pantomime and those jukebox musicals that have recently dominated the scene. 

Edinburgh Playhouse, Wed 19 Nov–Sat 10 Jan.