It's not quite the season to be jolly, but nevertheless excitement is building at the Alban Arena for its magical new panto, Peter Pan.

The cast launched the show last week and are looking forward to starting rehearsals in St Albans next month. Evolution Productions’ version of the well-loved children’s classic stars Jake Wood, who plays EastEnders hard man Max Branning, as the villainous Captain Hook.

Jake, who was in last year’s Strictly Come Dancing, will be joined on stage by David Ribi as the ever-young Peter Pan, St Albans actor and comedian Bob Golding as the outlandish Mrs Smee and CBeebies’ Katrina Bryan who will sprinkle the Arena with fairy dust as Tinkerbell.

Look out over the coming weeks for interviews with the cast including a chat with Strictly’s “snake hips” himself, Jake, who promises to bring some of his flair for dancing to the role of Hook.

And there’s plenty of festive-action to be had in Watford too, with the Colosseum’s Santa Claus and the Magical Christmas Journey and the Palace Theatre’s production of Dick Whittington.

Peter Pan, Alban Arena, Civic Centre, St Albans, December 4 to January 3, various times. Details: 01727 844488, alban-arena.co.uk.