THE pantomime season is under way with shows at all the main theatres in the region – but rural areas are enjoying their own festive treats.

Pocket Panto has been touring Aladdin to more than 20 venues in North Yorkshire and brings the show to Thirsk Town Hall on December 20 under the Rural Arts ON Tour scheme. The performance starts at 1pm.

The company, which has more than ten years' experience staging pantomimes in the county, was a great success at the same venue last year.

“The rural section of our Christmas tour is at the heart of everything we do with Pocket Panto,” said Darren Johnson, director of Aladdin.

This is the final performance in Rural Arts ON Tour autumn 2015 season. The scheme has been bringing professional theatre into country areas for more than 15 years.

“Having the pantomime in the scheme is one of the highlights of the season,” said Sophie Backhouse, tour manager. “We have worked with this company for a number of years and they never fail to disappoint.”

Tickets are £6 for adults and £4 for under 18s and over-60s. To book, call 01845 526536. Tickets can also be bought online at ruralarts.org.

Operating a similar brief, the Highlights rural touring scheme brings professional shows to Teesdale, Weardale and County Durham.

Orichalcum's Brassy Christmas, a multi-instrumental brass show full of seasonal favourites, is at Cotherstone Village Hall on Wednesday, December 16, and at St John's Chapel Town Hall, near Stanhope, the following night.

The ensemble's repertoire ranges from Handel’s Messiah to All I want for Christmas is a Bass Trombone, played on an array of instruments from tiny piccolo trumpet to the huge bass tuba.

Performances start at 7.30pm. Tickets at Cotherstone cost £8, £4 child, £20 family, on 01833 650827. At St John’s Chapel they are £8, £7 concessions, £5 child. Call 01434 345024.Bookings can also be made online at highlightsnorth.co.uk.

Described as "festive noir", New Perspectives presents He Wore a Red Hat at Hamsterley Village Hall on Thursday, December 17, at 7.30pm.

This festive-themed comedy is full of twists, turns and sleuthful surprises. The village has formed a group of amateur detectives to help solve local crimes, but just when Joshua thinks he’s on to something a series of parcels arrive and he’s in for a big surprise.

Tickets cost £7, £5 child, £22 family on 01388 488323 or go to the highlights website.

Rural Arts in Thirsk also brings the National Theatre production of Hamlet to The Courthouse on December 18 at 1.30pm.

The widely celebrated production starring Benedict Cumberbatch ran in London with sell-out shows and standing ovations a common feature.

“To have Hamlet at The Courthouse is an incredibly exciting moment for us," said Ms Backhouse. “This was one of the most talked about, and widely praised performances of the year and we are thrilled to offer people the opportunity to see it.”

After the premiere in August, critics heaped praise on Lyndsey Turner's interpretation of the play and Cumberbatch's performance.

Tickets are £15, £12 for under-18s and over-60s. To book, call 01845 526536, or go online to ruralarts.org.