Pinocchio, Dick Whittington at the Palladium and The Twilight Zone make our week's top openings

5. The Wizard of Oz

Sheffield Crucible, until 20 January

Forget Wizzard, this Christmas the festive songs are traded for more fantastical fare as Sheffield takes a trip over the rainbow in a new production of The Wizard of Oz. The show stars Gabrielle Brooks as the titular role Dorothy, alongside Catrin Aaron as the Wicked Witch and Jonathan Broadbent at the Lion. You can listen to a sneak peek of Brooks in action above. The show is directed by the venue's artistic director Robert Hastie.

See the full casting for The Wizard of Oz

4. The Jungle

Young Vic, until 6 January

Commissioned by the National Theatre, The Jungle is the Young Vic and Good Chance Theatre's response to the Calais refugee crisis and the structures created there. Co-directed by The Crown showrunner Stephen Daldry alongside the Netflix series' associate director Justin Martin, the piece is a look at the grim realities of those trying to cross the Channel and reach the UK. Considering the topical subject matter and Daldry's quality of work recently, this seems like it'll be a pertinent theatrical experience.

Find out more about the project here

3. The Twilight Zone

Almeida, until 27 January

This Christmas Almeida will be hosting some spooky clandestine visitors with the world premiere of the stage adaptation of the cult '50s TV show The Twilight Zone. Directed by Richard Jones and adapted by Anne Washburn (responsible for the kooky Mr Burns), the piece will select an assortment of tales to present live by an ensemble cast. Something unusual to go alongside the mince pies no doubt.

Have a look at The Twilight Zone production photos here

2. Dick Whittington

London Palladium, until 14 January

Panto season rolls inexorably onwards, and this week the Palladium's offering has its official opening. Dick Whittington, which stars a returning Julian Clary alongside Elaine Paige and Charlie Stemp in the titular role, follows on from the venue's runaway success with Cinderella in 2016. From the production value of that show, this looks set to be an epic.

See the cast of the show in their finest sequins here

1. Pinocchio

National Theatre, until 10 April

Everyone's favourite puppet comes to the National Theatre in the first stage version of the Disney classic, adapted by Dennis Kelly with direction by the Cursed Child Olivier Award-winner John Tiffany. Running until April, the show stars Joe Idris-Roberts, Annette McLaughlin and Audrey Brisson. We'd by lying if we said it won't be a classic nostalgia trip.

See the cast of Pinocchio in rehearsals