BEASTS are growling, baddies are prowling and witches are up their wicked ways – which can only mean one thing….

Panto season is finally underway in Glasgow.

But which one should you see? Never fear, our top team of family reviewers have been out and about to bring you all the reviews you need to decide.

Today and next Friday we’ll be rounding up the best Christmas shows in town – so what in the name of panto are you waiting for?

Beauty and the Beast, Palace Theatre, Kilmarnock, reviewed by the Bain family – Abbie, 10, Amber, four, and auntie and uncle Lynsey and Bill, from Coatbridge.

WHAT’S IT ABOUT? A well-heeled aristocrat sulks in his cavernous mansion after being cursed to resemble Michael Bolton. Amiable heroine Belle breaks through his defences, falls in love and lifts the spell, teaching everyone not to judge people by their appearances.

ANY FAMOUS FACES IN IT? Sally Howitt, Scarlett from River City, ably terrifies the wee ones as baddie Deadly Nightshade.

KIDS’ VERDICT: Abbie: “Dame Betty and Boabby were so funny and I loved their costumes.” Amber: “Belle was my favourite because she ended up marrying the Beast. I knew he was nice deep down.”

PARENTS’ VERDICT: Two hours flew past like minutes during this Ayrshire-centric take on the classic fairytale. A witty script by panto king Alan McHugh maintains the adults’ attention with some cheeky innuendo while the kids are kept entertained by equal sprinklings of puerility and pathos. The stage designs were highly imaginative and the cast were obviously having a ball.

FUNNIEST BIT: An unscripted one, where Boabby asked a young audience member if the girl next to him was his girlfriend – and he replied ‘Ugh naw, she’s ma sister!’

SCARIEST BIT: James McAnerney’s turn as the self-obsessed macho man Dean Castle was hilarious - but equally terrifying when he thrust his hips to a certain Hot Chocolate hit.

BEST BIT: Any scene dominated by Fraser Boyle’s masterclass in acting the Dame.

MARK OUT OF 10: 8

Mum Jackie Brogan with daughter Mia, 12, gran Patricia and nephew Stuart from Motherwell.

Peter Pan, Motherwell Theatre, reviewed by the Brogan family - cousins Stuart and Mia, 12, mum Jackie and gran Patricia.

WHAT’S IT ABOUT? Peter Pan is the story of the boy who never grew up, who spends his days having adventures on the mystical island of Neverland as the leader of the Lost Boys, interacting with fairies, mermaids and pirates.

ANY FAMOUS FACES IN IT? Ian ‘Sheepie” Smith, the Motherwell panto stalwart, who is as much a local celebrity as he is a panto legend.

KIDS’ VERDICT: Mia and Stuart both loved the flying scene when Peter Pan takes Wendy to Neverland.

PARENTS’ VERDICT: The Motherwell panto never fails. They may not have the big budgets of others, but they always put on a good show. Good old fashioned family fun.

FUNNIEST BIT: There are some great gags, some good gags and some cheesy ones along the way. Some of the Motherwell football team were in the crowd and they took a bit of stick.

BEST BIT: The cast and audience singing the 12 Days of Christmas.

MARK OUT OF 10: 9

Elfie’s Magical Adventure, Pavillion Theatre, reviewed by the Hannah family; Eva, 9, Joseph, 6, and Beth, two, with mum and dad Alison and Fred, from Clarkston.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT? In a quest to save Christmas, Elfie is joined by his Mammy and his pal Fairy Snowflake on a journey to far and distant lands, followed by the evil Useless and Smart who try to thwart their progress.

ANY FAMOUS FACES? Liam Dolan as Elfie and the impressive Nicola Park as Snowflake, plus Cat Harvey and Ewan Cameron as naughty Useless and Smart.

KIDS’ VERDICT? Eva: “It was really funny. I loved the girls who came on to dance and my favourite was the wee boy who was brilliant at gymnastics.”

Joseph: “I liked it because it was very funny. I didn’t like the baddies who tried to steal the turkey so I booed very loudly at that bit.”

Beth: “I liked dancing, clapping my hands and eating lots of sweeties.”

PARENTS’ VERDICT? A few funny bits but it felt slightly too long, especially the final boxing match that seemed to be dragged out. Lots of slapstick stuff that the kids enjoyed though.

FUNNIEST BIT: The Glasgow alphabet – and the audience having apple spat all over them delighted the kids.

SCARIEST BIT: The poor turkey being kidnapped caused much consternation in our seats.

BEST BIT? The singalong at the end.

MARK OUT OF 10? 7/10

The Snaw Queen, Tron Theatre, reviewed by the Braidens from Lenzie - Aoibhy, 11, Calum, 6, and James, three with mum and dad Clare and Gerard.

WHAT’S IT ABOUT? Rudolph’s evil inner self erupts as the Snaw Queen after he fails to resist the temptation of a peak in a magic mirror. Christmas is forever doomed unless Santa, the lycra-clad, big-boned Kristine Cagney Kringle, and her bunch of desperados, the Rudolph-infatuated Olive The Reindeer, elves duo Elvis and Elvira reverse the spell…

ANY FAMOUS FACES? Julie Wilson Nimmo, formerly Miss Hoolie from Balamory.

KIDS’ VERDICT: Santa as a lady took a bit of getting used to and the Snaw Queen might have been scarier. But the kids thought Evil Sidekick Penguin was a hoot.

PARENTS’ VERDICT: No better place for a panto, cringed in all the right places and enough gags-a-minute and knowing nods to not stress about your kids.

FUNNIEST BIT: The Disco Diva Smackdown.

SCARIEST BIT: Toss between poor Rudolph turning into the Snaw Queen or the old woman with the evil laugh.

BEST BIT: The song routine around the Glasgow Underground, with a nod to some My Fair Lady Victoriana, the Chewing the Fat west endies and an evocative image of how grim the underground can be.

MARK OUT OF 10: 9