Londonist knows at least 2 people who've admitted they've started their Christmas shopping. We're not even thinking about it until we at least get past our birthday but, hot on the heels of Davro's Dick, here's our second slice of upcoming panto season.

The Barbican's full of beans on its 25th birthday this year with "singer, actress, dancer and celebrity" Suzanne Shaw taking the part of Princess Melody in Jack and the Beanstalk (whatever happened to the attractive female donning tights and taking the male lead?) Mel off Mel and Sue will be the good Fairy Liquid and someone from Little Britain as the baddie, Beastly Boris.

Promising to be a "festive feast of crazy costumes, super sets, flying fairies, ditzy dames, slapstick and silliness" this is the second Barbican pantomime and is presented as part of bite07 offering London "fresh new work that hovers on the very edges of classification". Panto, though?

If you prefer to be more firmly on the edges then you might like to try Office Party Xmas 2007 instead; "an interactive theatrical experience about corporate responsibility, Bacchanalianism and party hats" with the infamous "tits on fire" Ursula Martinez and Christopher Green.

Jack and the Beanstalk is at the Barbican Theatre from 1 December until 12 January. Office Party Xmas 2007 is in The Pit between 12-29 December. Check the website for performance times and to book tickets.