OH yes it is! Panto season is about to begin.
With less than four weeks to go until Christmas Day, the Everyman Theatre has opened its doors for the first performances of this year's pantomime, Dick Whittington.
Making his appearance as the unconventional star of this year's show is Tweedy the Clown, a performer and panto regular from Giffords, the Cotswolds' own touring circus.
And, in a show of commitment to his role, he shaved off his carefully-cultivated Movember moustache a few days early to make sure he was fuzz-free for the first performance yesterday.
Tweedy said: "I can't wait to get started. It's going to be fun.
"I've been doing panto for 20 years – it was the first job I had when I left school – but this is the first pantomime I've done in Cheltenham.
"Doing the circus and the panto are my main jobs and I absolutely love both.
"And the Everyman is such a beautiful theatre.
"I love theatres that have that history to them."
As for the early demise of his pro-charity moustache, he added: "It was coming along quite well, and I'd put a bit of red dye in it because I dye my hair in the front anyway.
"But it was driving me mad in the end as I've never had facial hair."
Geoffrey Rowe, chief executive of the Everyman, managed to catch a sneak preview of the performance.
He was one of just ten people given access to watch the dress rehearsal earlier this week.
Geoffrey said: "It's a really strong cast and we are really pleased with it.
"The idea of a young boy from Gloucester making his fortune in London is particularly satisfying."
Ticket sales have been going strong, with Geoffrey reporting that they were at the same level as they were this time last year.
He added: "Given how things are at the moment, you might have thought that people will have spared on going to a pantomime, but that doesn't seem to be the case."
Gloucester North Rotary Club, Cheltenham and Gloucester Round tables, and Cheltenham Lions Club have all pitched in to give disadvantaged youngsters a chance to get into the panto spirit by buying up and donating tickets for the children to use.
To book your tickets for Dick Whittington, visit tickets.everyman theatre.org.uk/show.asp
